Trump Expands Veteran Political Operative's Role Ahead Of GOP Convention
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Donald Trump has expended veteran operative Paul Manafort's role in his campaign amid the increasingly likelihood of a contested Republican convention.
The campaign said in a statement Thursday that Trump is "consolidating the functions related to the nomination process" and assigning them to Manafort, who last week was named convention manager.
The statement stresses he will be "working closely" with Trump's existing team, including campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.
But it said Manafort "will oversee, manage, and be responsible for all activities that pertain to Mr. Trump's delegate process and the Cleveland Convention."
The announcement comes as the candidate refocuses his efforts on his home state of New York.
On Wednesday night, Trump held a rally at the Grumman Studios in Bethpage, Long Island. Police told CBS2 just under 10,000 people showed up to the rally, though Trump made mention of 17,000.
PHOTOS: Donald Trump Rallies On Long Island
Trump canceled a planned trip to California, including a press conference that had been scheduled for Friday.
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