RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - In a reversal of an earlier decision, the ruling committee of the Virginia Republican Party is going with a closed convention instead of an open primary to choose a gubernatorial nominee in 2013.

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The decision came by a 47-31 vote Friday in Richmond by the party's central committee.

The decision means the gubernatorial nomination between Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli will be decided by thousands of delegates in an arena.

Bolling and his supporters opposed the change, arguing it disenfranchises hundreds of thousands Republican voters, including those on active military duty

Supporters, many of whom backed Cuccinelli, argued that the party has more success in fall elections with nominees chosen at conventions.