Some Minnesota Republicans see Pence as unifying force

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence's speech Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention offers a chance to solidify votes for Donald Trump among conservatives and evangelicals, and some Minnesota Republicans are energized by the choice.

That includes retired Marine Corps fighter pilot Alex Plechash, who cast his vote in Cleveland Tuesday for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio but said he's ready to vote for Trump in November and will try to get others to vote for Trump, too.

Trump came in third during Minnesota's Republican caucuses behind Rubio and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. But Plechash, 63, said the New York businessman could not have made a better choice than Pence for a running mate, said.

He called Pence a "statesman," and good legislator with Christian values. "Mike Pence was one of my favorite candidates. I, frankly, wish he had run for president."

Plechash said he thinks the country is going in the wrong direction. He considers abortion murder and says the national debt is out of control.

"That to me is huge," he said. "It doesn't matter what else there is, I mean foreign policy, social issues, if we go bankrupt, we have no future."

Asked why she made the trip to Cleveland, delegate Jen Niska broke down and wept as she talked about problems facing the nation.

"Things are hard right now. They're hard across the world and they're hard in American and we've really struggled," she said. "I guess I'm tired. And you know these shootings and divisions that we've experienced in America, we have to figure this out."

Niska is a 34-year-old seminary college admissions director from Ramsey. Her primary concern is the economy.

"I think it's incredibly important that our country is really focusing on how to release Americans from the burden that the recession has put on all of us," she said.

Niska called Pence a "strong conservative leader" who'll balance the GOP presidential ticket.

"And I love the fact that he's got experience running a state and governing. Donald Trump has been a CEO. And those are different skills sets that you have to have or even just knowledge of how to navigate government."

Delegate Adam Gilbertson, a 39-year-old from Lakeville who works at a John Deere dealership, also saw Pence as a good choice. He said he believes Trump sent a strong signal to conservatives when he chose the Indiana governor.

"He enables the party to come together," said Gilbert who called security and the economy his priorities. "The conservative side of the party has an advocate, has a voice on the top of the ticket with Mr. Trump."