Mass. GOP settles delegate dispute

Associated Press, 04/04/00

BOSTON — Massachusetts Republicans said Tuesday they have settled a dispute over who will represent the party at its national convention this summer by deciding that the majority of delegates will be supporters of Arizona Sen. John McCain.

McCain won the state's presidential primary in March, and state party rules entitle him to all 37 of the state's delegates.

But the state's Republican Party — including Gov. Paul Cellucci — is run by backers of Texas Gov. George W. Bush, the likely presidential nominee.

Bush's Bay State backers had hoped McCain would "release" his delegates after he left the race, and allow delegates who support Bush to go.

The party announced Tuesday that Bush's supporters would send seven delegates to the convention and McCain would send 30 delegates.

Bush's delegates will be allowed to nominate him for president, but only McCain's delegates will be elected to the committees that craft the party's platform and the rules for the convention.