BLOOMINGTON — The Minnesota GOP is punishing two former governors and a former U.S. senator for backing the Independence Party candidate in the governor’s race.

Delegates to the party’s state central committee meeting voted 59-55 Saturday to bar 18 Republicans from party activities for two years, including the 2012 Republican National Convention.

The list of those who supported Independence Party candidate Tom Horner includes former Govs. Arne Carlson and Al Quie, former U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger and donor George Pillsbury.

GOP Chairman Tony Sutton says some Republicans say Horner cost Republican-endorsed Tom Emmer the race.

Emmer trails Democrat Mark Dayton by about 8,700 votes after a statewide recount that ended Friday and heads to the state canvassing board next week.