[jjotto]

A candidate cannot release his delegates TO another candidate. Many states don’t recognize delegates as released at all.

[Beowulf9]

“A candidate cannot release his delegates TO another candidate. Many states don’t recognize delegates as released at all.”

Seems no one notices this all important point.

Exactly.

[kidd]

A candidate cannot release his delegates TO another candidate.

You are correct.

My understanding is that each state has their own rules on delegates that are bound to a candidate who drops out.

A few states (Iowa and Texas, for example) would bind the Rubio delegates to vote for Rubio, whether he drops out or not, on the first ballot. They would be free agents if there is a second ballot.

Tennessee binds delegates to their candidates for the first and second ballots.

However, most of them allow the delegates for the non-candidate to vote for anyone they want on the first ballot. A Rubio endorsement would likely include an urging that his delegates vote for the candidate that is being endorsed.

[SmokingJoe]

You are going to need to take another look at the rules again mate.