CLEVELAND -- Members of the Arkansas delegation applauded when U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz took the stage Wednesday evening, but by the time he departed, many of them were booing the former presidential candidate.

Afterward, some of the Arkansas Republicans were angry that the Texas lawmaker hadn't endorsed presidential nominee Donald Trump clearly and unambiguously, accusing him of selfishness and of sowing division at the Republican National Convention.

Fifteen of Arkansas' 40 delegates had cast their votes for Cruz on Tuesday, because he refused to unbind them, but by Wednesday evening even some of them were expressing displeasure with their candidate.

Other Republicans, including those who had backed U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, expressed displeasure, too.

"I think we were all booing," said state Sen. Bart Hester, who served as Rubio's Arkansas chairman. "There was a lot of booing and a lot of guys saying, 'Honor your pledge to support the candidate.'"

The lawmaker from Cave Springs accused Cruz of selfishness and of putting himself above the party.

"I'm just shocked at the arrogance to come out here at the convention for Donald Trump, to take 20 minutes for a speech, and then not endorse him," Hester said.

Party leaders, who spent the week pleading for unity, looked grim after Cruz left the stage.

"He ruined his political career. I think he could never get elected to national office again," said Republican National Committeeman Jonathan Barnett of Siloam Springs. "He was self-centered. It was about Ted and he's not a team player. ...I think America got to see a little bit tonight who Ted Cruz really is."

State Sen. Jason Rapert of Bigelow, one of the Cruz delegates, said delegates were dissatisfied with the speech.

"I think the convention was looking for a much more heartfelt endorsement," he said. "I think that's why you saw a little bit of an outcry at the end."

Rapert said he supported Cruz and loves him, but the race is over.

"If you are a Republican who believes in true conservative values and you want to save America you've got to get behind Donald Trump and Mike Pence," he said.

Eddie Arnold, a Trump delegate from Arkadelphia, said he was "extremely disappointed" in Cruz. "I don't understand it. I know Trump said stuff about his wife and other things, but you've got to put that aside. Our country's more important than you getting your feelings hurt about your wife."

Arkansas Lt. Gov. Griffin said he was "really disappointed that [Cruz] would take all this time and get all this attention for himself" and not back the nominee. "He, like the others, signed a pledge to back the nominee. He gave his word. He's acting like he's standing on principle, but it's really a violation of principle.

The indignation was widespread, but not unanimous.

State Rep. Robin Lundstrum of Springdale praised Cruz for delivering "a good, solid conservative speech."

She downplayed the dissension in the ranks. "You don't expect all people to get along. It's OK for us to have disagreements. That is OK," she said.

Metro on 07/21/2016