Republican leaders across the state met Thursday in Nanuet in an effort to open the process of choosing their 2006 candidates.

It was the third of eight scheduled meetings where candidate hopefuls sit down with state and local GOP leaders to try to get on the Republican ticket. The candidates faced GOP leaders in a question and answer screening for the offices of governor, U.S. senator, state comptroller and state attorney general.

It was the first time in state history that Republicans held a complete open process. Republican officials say they hope they can come to a consensus at the end of this process and avoid a primary, which would be held next September.