SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The Republican Party of New Mexico is dropping a $100 fee for media seeking to cover its state convention.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports state GOP officials backtracked Friday on requiring news organizations pay $100 a piece for press credentials to the May 21 convention.
State GOP spokesman W. Tucker Keene says the idea of a fee was to help defray costs, not discourage media from attending.
New Mexico Democratic Party officials criticized the fee as a tactic to duck questions from journalists.
Keene refuted that claim, saying the convention welcomes all press.
The Republican National Committee for the first time is charging a $150 access fee for seats on the press stand at this summer's national convention in Cleveland.