CA GOP names full convention delegation

The California Republican Party has released its delegate list for the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul in September.

The full list includes 173 delegates, 170 alternates and over 400 guests. Bill Jones, former California Secretary of State, is the delegation chairman, and the total delegation is the largest of any state at the convention.

His vice chairs are State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, California Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring, former Gov. Pete Wilson and State Sen. Jeff Denham (R-Merced).

U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) is chairing the platform/resolutions committee, and will be joined by party member Jenifer Russo. Denham's wife Sonia Denham and Assemblyman Van Tran (R-Costa Mesa) will be on the permanent organization committee, and party operative John Peschong and California Department of Consumer Affairs Secretary Rosario Martin will be members of the credentials committees.

Party member Rob Laurie and party activist Jill Buck were named to the rules committee.

The bulk of the delegates are prominent party activists, politicians and fund-raisers, a list that includes State Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto), State Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines (R-Clovis), U.S. Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Gold River) and congressional candidate Dean Andal of Stockton.

The convention is Sept. 1 through 4 in at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.