Chris Cavey

Maryland Republican Party 2008 Spring ConventionANNAPOLIS-- The Maryland Republican Party finalized their delegation to the Republican National Convention during the party's spring convention at the DoubleTree Hotel in Annapolis, today.

A total of ten at-large and ten alternate delegates were selected by the Republican State Central Committee.

Those elected were largely representative of the so-called "unity team" that a group of state Republican leaders and activists who supported various presidential candidates early in the primary process formed as a suggested fusion slate. The effort was lead by Chris Cavey, the first vice chairman of the state party.

Of those ten at-large members suggested by the unity team to represent the state, eight were selected by the state central committee; Senate Minority Leader David Brinkley and Howard County Central Committee Chairwoman Joan Becker were not elected.

A group of state Republican leaders and activists who supported various presidential candidates early in the primary process have formed a “unity team” as a suggested fusion slate to represent Maryland at the 2008 Republican National Convention.

“The idea is to bring everyone on board in support of Sen. (John) McCain,” Corey Stottlemyer, the former political director of the state Republican party and unity team member, said.

Chris Cavey, the first vice chairman of the state party, is leading the effort.

“We have presented the unity team as a suggestion for those who do not necessarily have a ballot,” Cavey said.

The plan is not endorsed by Jim Pelura, the chairman of the Maryland Republican Party.

“The Maryland Republican Party does not have slate,” Pelura told PolitickerMD.com.