Michigan delegates unsure of standing

State violated party rule on primary

ASSOCIATED PRESS

LANSING — Here's what Michigan delegates to this week's Republican National Convention know: They will be there as part of a full contingent from presumptive presidential nominee Mitt Romney's home state.

What they don't know, however, is how many of them will get to cast a vote for Mr. Romney or snag a spot on the convention floor for his nomination.

Michigan is one of five states penalized with the loss of half their delegates for breaking Republican National Committee rules by having an early presidential primary.

But, according to a story in the Detroit News on Saturday, instead of leaving half of its delegates home, the Michigan GOP is taking everyone to Tampa.

Jenny Nolan, the last of three delegates elected from the 14th Congressional District, is among 26 elected delegates waiting to see if their voting power will be restored.

"I'm going down there with an expectation of not being able to vote," said Ms. Nolan, who lives in Grosse Pointe Farms.

"Of course, I would love to. I hope we could at least be seated on the floor."

Michigan held its presidential primary on Feb. 28 along with Arizona, violating party rules that prohibit states from holding contests before March.

Florida, the convention's host state, held its primary Jan. 31.

South Carolina and New Hampshire — states permitted to hold early contests in February — were penalized when they moved up their contests to get ahead of Florida.

All five states will lose half of their delegates, RNC spokesman Kirsten Kukowski said.

No decision had been made on whether all the Michigan delegates will be seated on the floor, but half will not vote regardless, Ms. Kukowski said last week.

Saul Anuzis, an outgoing Michigan national committeeman, said he expects a decision today.

In 2008, when Michigan also held an early primary, the delegation ultimately was seated at the convention, although only half had voting privileges.

The state wanted an early primary this time around to be relevant in deciding the party's nomination.

Mr. Romney beat former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania in Michigan.

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