Missouri’s delegation, like the rest of the convention, goes big for Donald Trump

Missouri’s votes for the Republican presidential nomination took an unexpected last-minute twist Tuesday at the party’s national convention.

According to the results of the March 15 Missouri primary, 37 delegate votes should have gone to Donald Trump, and 15 to Sen. Ted Cruz. Instead, on the convention floor, 41 votes were cast for Trump and 11 for Cruz.

State party chairman John Hancock said the four votes shifted because party rules allow delegates to abandon their pledges if a candidate suspends his or her campaign. Cruz did that, Hancock said, even though Cruz did not formally release his delegates. That meant four extra official votes for Trump in Missouri.

Kansas rules require delegates to vote as pledged during the caucuses, and those delegates are bound until formally released. Cruz collected 24 votes, Trump nine, Sen. Marco Rubio six, and Gov. John Kasich, one delegate.

The roll call contained a few moments of unplanned drama. Sen. Bob Dole was expected to arrive on the floor as Kansas cast its votes, but party officials said he was delayed. He was expected later in the evening.

Members of the Kansas delegation also took their time in the spotlight to claim the Kansas City Royals, at least indirectly. Delegates were dressed in Royals T-shirts, provided, state party officials said, by the team. Chairman Kelly Arnold applauded the club’s fans before announcing the votes.

That irked Missouri Republicans.

“Kansas, we love ya, but Missouri is the home of the World Series champion Kansas City Royals,” Hancock thundered.

Of course, Hancock immediately followed that comment with a rhetorical tip of the cap to the St. Louis Cardinals. Missouri’s GOP is tilted to St. Louis, apparently.

Trump was nominated Tuesday by an overwhelming margin.

This story was originally published July 19, 2016 at 7:07 PM with the headline "Missouri’s delegation, like the rest of the convention, goes big for Donald Trump."