AUGUSTA — Negotiations aimed at brokering a compromise between the Ron Paul delegates elected at the Maine Republican Convention and party mainstreamers who are challenging those delegates are continuing.

The outcome of discussions that were going on Wednesday in Tampa, Fla., could determine whether 20 members of Maine’s 24-member delegation will be seated at the convention. The talks could also determine what share of the 24 delegates will go to the libertarian-leaning Texas congressman and how many to putative Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

Paul supporters are trying to seat enough delegates in Tampa to give Paul a prime-time speaking slot.

Other states where Republicans elected large Paul contingents have negotiated agreements over disputed delegates.

The GOP convention runs next Monday through Thursday.