republican presidential front-runner donald trump effectively split conservative tea party movement fiery campaign draw followers group expect line behind ted cruz consistent champion small government republican race move crucial battlegrounds ohio florida among three state tuesday tea party support promise help trump campaign offset relative lack on-the-ground organization compare texas senator cruz close rival nationally loyal tea party supporters could also help fend move block nomination republican national convention july fall short threshold 1,237 delegate would guarantee party candidacy reuters review trump list 66 ohio delegate would represent nominate convention win primary provide crucial support event contest convention find 28 tea party leaders members otherwise link movement include officials feature speakers tea party events use benchmark 27 cruz delegate link grassroots group spring national prominence 2009 anger government bailouts demand tax cut less intrusive government despite trump mix record conservative real estate mogul promise shake washington throw illegal immigrants tear unfair trade deal many influential tea party followers accord interview activists across dozen state trump never ask dime self fund one blow republican party establishment say ralph king trump delegate member cleveland tea party primaries result contest convention corner way graphic show trump ohio delegate tea party link tmsnrt.rs/1xr3azw recent poll show trump perform well among voters identify tea party supporters feb. 29 cnn poll 56 percent tea partiers favor trump compare 16 percent cruz march quinnipiac university poll trump lead cruz 48 percent 40 percent among tea party voters florida cruz lead trump 38 percent trump 33 percent ohio trump tap tea party emotions gain support many hack motivate voters say republican strategist ford connell brilliant move influence amorphous tea party wan nationally remain potent force many state thousands commit grassroots activists conservative purists cruz check right ideological box limit government low tax trump hand say would maintain government program social security call high tax wealthy americans 2008 voice support government rescue package major bank trump strong show string state super tuesday last month jenny beth martin co-founder national umbrella group call tea party patriots lambast conservative convenience trump love tea party love country love constitution say month conservative political action conference ned ryun founder american majority group train conservative grassroots activists say trump outsider persona key appeal tea party activists cruz people feel work within status quo say ryun trump people say screw status quo sick it billionaire quietly maintain contact movement since least 2011 flirt presidential run 2012 election recently court activists focus prospective delegate trump broaden appeal among tea party members january secure endorsement former alaska governor sarah palin command strong loyalty among many movement south carolina tea party convention january 2015 myrtle beach trump spend 45 minutes eight tea party activists test-marketing theme like immigration accord attendees effort bring convert one present gerri mcdaniel run trump grassroots efforts south carolina another jeanne seaver georgia state primaries atlanta tea party co-founder debbie dooley also attend meet aim trump delegate first ballot republican convention july would oblige back say would continue back vote go second round delegate become free vote whichever candidate choose back trump hell back dooley say michigan new hampshire nevada trump successful efforts help state directors formerly employ americans prosperity group back billionaire koch brothers court tea party group years florida field director ken mayo hold post americans prosperity trump tap local tea party leader rob scott run campaign ohio trump 21 delegate new hampshire first primary 13 tea party link affiliations delegate list florida michigan another state vote tuesday yet available state pick delegate conventions primaries ohio candidates submit delegate list advance trump still trail cruz get-out-the-vote efforts strategists activists say june pitts tea party activist illinois say previous elections work campaign offices trump one chicago pitts make call ahead state march 15 vote tiffin ohio trump delegate jim green say spend 700 money yard sign campaign begin send paraphernalia free glenn newman trump delegate activist southeastern ohio also leave devices trump campaign put together like puppy chase pickup truck newman say play catch-up trump 's appeal divide tea party loyalties crucial state