California delegate Harmeet Dhillon spoke out against rules that would ban lobbyists from serving on the RNC. | AP Photo Republican delegates kill effort to ban lobbyists on RNC

CLEVELAND –The panel of convention delegates rewriting the rules of the national Republican Party here Thursday fended off a measure to ban lobbyists from serving on the Republican National Committee.

“Once we single out lobbyists, we’re looking at singling out other potentially disfavored professions," said Harmeet Dhillon, a California delegate on the committee, citing lawyers, used car salesmen and farmers as potential future targets.


Critics of the measure argued that RNC members are elected by Republicans in every state who can weigh a person’s position as a lobbyist while deciding whom to support. In addition, lobbyists are defined differently in different states, which could complicate enforcement of the measure.

The proposal to ban lobbyists outright was initially offered by Maine delegate MaryAnne Kinney, a state representative. Supporters said it was about eliminating the potential of RNC members to profit off their service on the committee.

“I’ve witnessed firsthand the influence of paid lobbyists focused on spending hard-earned taxpayer dollars versus working for everyday hardworking citizens,” said Cindy Pugh, a member from Minnesota.

Backers also noted that Donald Trump, the GOP presumptive nominee, has railed against the influence of lobbyists in Washington. They exempted lobbyists for nonprofits from the restriction.

But critics argued it would be overly restrictive.

“It’s a crude instrument, it doesn’t address the problem, and don’t even get me started with where this is on states’ rights,” said Jordan Ross, a delegate from Nevada.