AUGUSTA, Maine — Ron Paul's supporters have taken the first step toward taking over the Republican State Convention this weekend as they narrowly elected a convention chairman.

AUGUSTA, Maine — Ron Paul's supporters have taken the first step toward taking over the Republican State Convention this weekend as they narrowly elected a convention chairman.



Paul supporter Brent Tweed was elected chairman with 1,118 votes, just four more than the mainstream candidate, Charles Cragin. A Paul supporter was also narrowly elected secretary.



Saturday's votes are largely symbolic but important because they show the level of support at the crowded convention for the libertarian-leaning Texas congressman. Paul's supporters' real goals are to elect majorities on Republican county, state and national committees — and elect a majority of delegates to this summer's national convention.



Supporters say doing that would help assure that Paul gets to give a speech at the convention.



GOP leaders say the convention in Augusta is the largest in years.