Republican lawmakers vie for convention power

In an early show of influence, the GOP senators who spoke to The Hill are backing Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus’s handling of the delegate selection process. But they say there will be a backlash if voters think their will is being circumvented.

If GOP front-runner Donald Trump secures the 1,237 delegates he needs to clinch the nomination before the Republican National Convention, many lawmakers aren’t eager to be part of the process.
Should the convention be contested, however, they want to have a say in the floor debate.

Some Republicans say Trump won’t get the nomination if he doesn’t secure it on the first ballot. If it goes to a second ballot, Ted Cruz will likely be the favorite to become the party’s standard-bearer.

“If it’s a Trump coronation, I’m not going,” said Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), who had endorsed Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) in his failed presidential bid. “If it’s a fight, it may be fun to watch.”