Republicans met across the Montezuma County for the Tuesday caucuses to discuss presidential candidates and key election issues.

In Precinct 2, in Dolores 60 Republicans met in the back room of the Ponderosa Restaurant. They were divided on who to support for president, but candidate Ted Cruz won out with 22 votes. Donald Trump garnered 14 votes, Ben Carson 11 votes, Marco Rubio eight votes, and John Kasich seven votes.

At the First Assembly of God in Cortez about 40 people attended the Precinct 7 caucus and did not hold a straw poll for presidential candidates because the state Republican Party did not holding a poll.

This ensures that Colorado Republican delegates will not be bound to the candidate that may have chosen through the straw polls, said Danny Wilkin the chair of Montezuma County Republicans.

Sherri Wright and Chuck Lurvey the co-chairs of the Montezuma County Republican Party running the meeting read a letter from District Attorney Will Furse the only local Republican candidate seeking support. He is running opposed for re-election.

The precinct also selected delegates to represent them at the county assembly on March 11 and named 15. The precinct is allowed to send 20.

Caucuses are the first step to put candidates on primary and general election ballots. Candidates must receive 15 percent of votes cast at the caucuses to progress to the next level, the county assemblies.

Montezuma County Commissioners Larry Don Suckla and Keenan Ertel are both running for re-election as independent candidates and they are not eligible for support from the Republican Party.

mshinn@durangoherald.com.