Trump invited to Pasco; no confirmation — yet

The Washington Republican Party says it is possible but unlikely Donald Trump will attend the state convention in Pasco on May 19 to 21.

Rumors circulated Monday in the Tri-Cities that the presumptive Republican nominee for president will attend the state convention. But Steve Beren, spokesman for the state party, said it was untrue as of Monday afternoon.

“When it was still a race, we invited all three,” Beren said , referring to Trump, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

“Nothing has been confirmed as of five minutes ago,” he said.

Beren said the state party will announce the candidate’s visit if and when it is confirmed.

There is little incentive for Trump to attend the state convention, which will play no role in awarding delegates to the national convention in Cleveland this summer.

Washington voters will award delegates based on the results of the May 24 presidential primary. Ballots were mailed to voters last week. Trump’s name appears alongside Cruz, Kasich and Ben Carson.

The state convention will bring 1,500 delegates and 1,500 alternates to Pasco to energize the party faithful and lay out a platform for the coming election.

Trump was in Spokane and Lynden on Saturday.

This story was originally published May 9, 2016 at 4:57 PM with the headline "Trump invited to Pasco; no confirmation — yet."