Maine Gov. Paul LePage said Friday that he will not attend the Republican National Convention, citing the ongoing dispute between Maine delegates who support Ron Paul and national party leaders.

LePage was one of 24 delegates from Maine expected to attend the Republican National Convention that begins Monday in Tampa. The Republican National Convention’s credentials committee voted Friday to replace 10 of the 20 delegates all of whom support Paul, replacing them with 10 new delegates who will presumably support presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney.

In an effort to defuse the controversy, the Romney campaign announced plans on Friday to air a tribute to Paul during the convention.

Santorum Makes It Formal

On a conference call last night with supporters, former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum shared his intention to formally release his delegates in support of the Romney-Ryan ticket.   

“I am pleased to share the news with my supporters that I am releasing my delegates in support of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan so we can go in to next week’s convention united and committed to defeating Barack Obama in November.  This is our opportunity to energize our party with a strong, conservative ticket,” Santorum said on the call.

Santorum, who will speak to the convention on Tuesday, said he is looking forward to making the case for the Romney-Ryan ticket at the RNC. “I believe their conservative policies will put our country back on a path to prosperity,” the Senator said Thursday.

The decision is a formality that frees more than 200 delegates to support Romney. Later today, in a letter to his delegates, Santorum will make this announcement official.

Tags | delegates, Maine, Mitt Romney, Paul LePage, Republican National Convention, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul