GOP delegates deluged

Some 3,500 state Republican Party delegates are being bombarded with free meals, campaign DVDs and a lot of personal attention by the dozen or so GOP candidates in an intense political race to sew up support before the state convention.

The delegates, just over 1,000 in each of the three U.S. House districts, are being wooed perhaps like no delegates have been before. Delegates can even get discounted hotel rooms from one candidate.

They should enjoy it while they can. All the attention ends abruptly May 8, the day of the state Republican convention, where delegates will vote on governor, Congress, other state elected offices and multi-county legislative races. In contested races, if one candidate gets 60 percent of the vote in any round of a "preferential" ballot system, he or she wins the nomination outright. Otherwise, the top two vote-getters go to a June 22 primary election.

The nine GOP gubernatorial candidates, and the three Republicans in each of the 2nd and 3rd congressional districts, are now contacting as many delegates as they can — talking issues and providing a few freebies to catch delegates' attention.

There are no Republican Party rules about proper conduct in wooing delegates, says Chris Bleak, state GOP executive director. "There is state law" against "buying" votes, however, and Bleak says if party bosses hear about any improper conduct they'll call the individuals in for a talking-to.

A rumor about free hotel rooms for delegates near the convention site appears only partly true: Gubernatorial candidate Fred Lampropoulos has worked out a deal where some selected delegates can buy a room for a discounted price.

"I am not buying votes," said Gov. Olene Walker, who said her campaign won't be providing any hotel rooms to delegates. "I am working hard to convince delegates that I am the best candidate with proven leadership and new vision."

Jon Huntsman Jr. said his campaign is reserving hotel rooms near Sandy's South Towne Center — where the convention will be held — for the weekend of the convention, but those "three or four rooms" will be used by campaign staff, not by delegates.

State law prohibits any candidate (or anyone else, for that matter) from trying to "induce" any voter or delegate to go to the polls, attend any party caucus or convention, or provide any "personal services" to a voter or delegate with an aim toward "affecting" an election.