Allen prefers primary to conventions

As Republicans brace for a showdown over how they will pick their nominees for statewide office in 2013, Senate candidate George Allen on Thursday made a strong case for why a primary is the best option.

Allen, who won the four-way primary for the GOP Senate nomination Tuesday, said conventions only engage a fraction of the party while primaries rally voters heading into November elections. In his long political career, he’s captured the nomination in both formats.