AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - A number of Maine Republicans who were elected as Ron Paul delegates to next week's national nominating convention won't be seated at the big party gathering. 

In Tampa., Fla., the convention's Credentials Committee on Friday took up a challenge by party activists who claim the Paul supporters' election as delegates violated party and parliamentary rules. The committee decided to award 10 delegates of the 20 Paul won at the state convention to him. Ten others will go to Mitt Romney supporters. 

The tussle is really about getting Paul, the libertarian-leaning Texas congressman, a prime time speaking slot at the convention. Mitt Romney already has more than enough delegates to guarantee his nomination for president.

Maine Gov. Paul LePage says he's decided not to attend the convention. 

LePage says that instead of attending next week's convention, he'll focus on state business and spending time with his family.

The governor, one of Maine's 24 delegates to the convention, says he believes all of the Maine delegates who were selected at the Maine GOP Convention in May should be seated in Tampa. LePage says it's unfortunate that not all of those delegates will be seated.

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