RPOF Pushes Back Against Gingrich Supporters' Complaints

Some supporters of GOP presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich -- namely former Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum -- are complaining about the Florida Republican primary being winner-take-all for Mitt Romney, who won the contest on Tuesday. Lenny Curry, the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, pushed back in a statement on Thursday.

"On Sept. 23, 2011, RPOF's executive board -- 38 people including members from around the state, members who serve on the RNC, and members who are affiliated with different campaigns -- unanimously passed RPOF Rule 10," Curry said. Rule 10 determined Florida would be winner-take-all if the primary date was moved by statute and Florida was penalized by RNC for the move. All campaigns and the RNC have known since then that Florida was winner-take-all. RNC's legal counsel has, on numerous occasions, noted their understanding and acceptance of Florida's rule.

"Florida was winner-take-all before Election Day, we were winner-take-all on Election Day, we will remain winner-take-all, Curry added. As Bill McCollum confirmed to Fox News today, had the outcome been different on Tuesday he would not be seeking publicity for a challenge to the rules adopted by Florida's Republicans. It is a shame when the loser of a contest agrees to the rules before, then cries foul after losing."

Chalk up one more loss for McCollum, who also tasted defeat in two bids for the U.S. Senate and in the 2010 gubernatorial campaign. Rick Scott, who beat McCollum in the Republican primary, won the closest election in the more than 165 years of statehood in 2010 -- while McCollum sulked in his tent, refusing to endorse him.