WASHINGTON -- Sen. Marco Rubio's campaign reached out to the Minnesota GOP this week to ask that state party officials not "release" the 17 state delegates bound to vote for him on the first ballot at the national convention.

Keith Downey, state GOP chairman, said he heard from Rubio's campaign on Monday and that they aren't "his delegates to release."

Those bound to Rubio are only required by state party rules to vote for him on the first ballot cast at the Republican National Convention in July -- that is if Rubio is on the actual ballot. Then they are free to support who they want, Downey said.

Minnesota was the only state Rubio won before he dropped out of the GOP contest for president. He also won Puerto Rico.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Rubio was making a run to lock in delegates where he performed well across the country.

If there is a second ballot in Cleveland, Minnesota's delegates are allowed to support who they want for GOP nominee.

"We are electing national delegates to reflect the caucus results and Rubio delegates will be bound on the first ballot if he appears on the ballot," Downey said.

There will be 38 Minnesota delegates in Cleveland, 17 will be bound to Rubio on the first ballot, if his name is on the ballot. Another 13 are bound to Sen. Ted Cruz and eight for Donald Trump on that first ballot, Downey said.

This apportionment reflects how each of the presidential hopefuls performed in the state's GOP caucuses held earlier this month.