New Mexico GOP extends delegate deadline as campaigns jockey

State party spokesman Tucker Keene announced Monday that consideration will be given for two additional weeks to applicants who missed the April 15 deadline to vie for a delegate seat at the GOP national convention this summer in Cleveland.

Keene said the two-week extension for self-nominations was based on feedback from all three campaigns, while a Republican state lawmaker with ties to the Ted Cruz campaign criticized efforts to extend the deadline as a strategical ploy by Trump.

Last week, Republican National Committeeman Pat Rogers of Albuquerque and former state party chairman Harvey Yates remarked that Cruz supporters appeared to have the most active and organized effort underway to woo potential delegates, followed by efforts from Ohio Gov. John Kasich.