Minnesota Delegates React to RNC 2016

Thursday is the fourth and final day of what's been in many ways a tumultuous Republican National Convention.

The theme of the day is "Make America One Again," which comes after three days of competing ideas and divisive rhetoric — not just between the Republicans and the Democrats but among Republicans themselves.

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Last night, Texas Senator Ted Cruz angered Donald Trump supporters when he told Republicans to "vote your conscience" in his speech in Cleveland. He also touted conservative values and honored the Dallas police officers slain at a Black Lives Matter protest a few weeks ago, but he did not endorse Trump.

Jim Carson, a Republican delegate from Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District, told Patch he's "disappointed" with how the convention has been run so far.

Speaking of Cruz, however, Carson said the speech worked out well for both Trump and the Texas Senator.

By not endorsing Trump, Cruz was able to keep his honor after Trump's negative comments about him and his wife, while Trump was able to prevent Cruz from skipping the convention altogether, according to Carson.

Carson added that it's clear Trump's staff was well aware of what was going to happen when Cruz took the stage, because they "approved the speech" and knew he wasn't going to endorse Trump.

Laura Dean, also from the Fourth Congressional District, said she's impressed by how well the convention has been run.

This is Dean's first national convention, and she said "as a grassroots activist, I appreciate what a huge undertaking a convention of this scale must be to organize and pull off. The people of Cleveland have been fantastic. The speakers have been awesome."

"The logistical undertaking is no small task, but to do that with unprecedented security concerns while making everyone feel welcome is truly unbelievable," Dean added.

Tonight's speakers include Peter Thiel, Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump.