Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzLoeffler calls for hearing in wake of Netflix's 'Cuties' Health care in the crosshairs with new Trump Supreme Court list 'Parks and Rec' cast members hosting special reunion to raise money for Wisconsin Democrats MORE poured cold water on the calls to stop GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE during a brokered convention, warning that there could be hell to pay with the grass roots if they believe their will is being disregarded.

"So they seize on this plan of a brokered convention, and the D.C. power brokers will drop someone in who is exactly to the liking of the Washington establishment. If that would happen, we would have a manifest revolt on our hands all across this country." In Cruz's mind, there's one way to beat Donald Trump: "with the voters."

With Trump leading the GOP race after a strong Super Tuesday, many Republicans are clamoring about the potential of splitting the field to prevent Trump from coming into the convention with a majority of delegates.

That could force delegates electing the nominee at the party's national convention to take a second vote, when most are no longer bound to a particular candidate.

The enthusiasm was stoked by a surprise speech by 2012 nominee Mitt Romney, who bashed Trump as a danger to the party and outlined a potential pathway to forcing the contested convention.

"If the other candidates can find common ground, I believe we can nominate a person who can win the general election and who will represent the values and policies of conservatism," Romney said.

While Cruz said he wasn't yet on board with the idea of a contested convention, he told the CPAC audience that Romney's remarks reflect the concerns of a majority of Republicans.

"Any time you hear someone talking about a brokered convention, it is the Washington establishment in a fevered frenzy, they are really frustrated because all their chosen candidates, their golden children, the voters keep rejecting," Cruz said Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).