ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) - Supporters of maverick Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul are seizing control of Minnesota's state Republican Convention.

The Paul backers scored a major victory Saturday when they claimed 12 of 13 delegate slots to the GOP National Convention in Tampa in August.

Twenty-seven other delegates were previously chosen. In all, 32 of 40 Minnesota national convention delegates support Paul over presumed presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

Even U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann failed to win a delegate slot on the first ballot. She faced a runoff against a Paul supporter but he conceded out of respect to the congresswoman.

Paul appeared at the state convention Friday and Saturday. He is no longer actively campaigning against Romney but his supporters are seeking a prominent role for him at the national convention.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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