Kansas GOP picks 25 at-large convention delegates; Trump supporter Kobach on the list

Kansas Republicans filled out their national convention delegation Saturday by picking the final 25 at-large slots for the July gathering in Cleveland.

The state committee made the picks at a meeting in Topeka.

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach was elected as a statewide delegate. Kobach was the only statewide elected Republican who endorsed likely nominee Donald Trump before the March 5 state GOP caucuses.

Kansas Treasurer Ron Estes was also chosen as a delegate.

Other statewide delegates picked Saturday include Mary Kay Culp of Lenexa, David Lightner of Olathe, Derek Kreifels of Shawnee and Jared Suhn of Prairie Village.

Kansas GOP director Clay Barker said the 25 delegates picked Saturday will meet over the next week to determine how to allocate their presidential nomination ballots.

Under party rules, the delegates must divide their votes according to the caucus results. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas won 13 at-large delegates, Trump six, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida five and Ohio Gov. John Kasich one.

The delegates must cast their ballots for those candidates until officially released. So far, no candidate has issued a release.

Kansas will have 40 votes at the Cleveland convention — the 25 picked Saturday, three national committee delegates and 12 district-level delegates picked earlier this year.

This story was originally published May 14, 2016 at 7:26 PM with the headline "Kansas GOP picks 25 at-large convention delegates; Trump supporter Kobach on the list."