MINNEAPOLIS -- Oregon state Rep. Ron Mauer (R-Grants Pass) said Monday that he was very excited that Republican presidential candidate John McCain (R-Ariz.) picked Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) as his vice presidential candidate.

“I am really, really happy,” Mauer said. “I didn’t think she had a shot.”

Mauer said that while Palin was a strong choice, it probably would not change the minds of too many Oregon voters. But, he said, it might make an impact with some Democratic voters that have been wavering over who they will support.

“I am not convinced that it is going to change 90 percent of voters’ minds,” Mauer said. “But I have already talked to some Hillary Clinton voters that will be voting for McCain now.”

Mauer is one of three state legislators serving as a delegate at the Republican National Convention in Minnesota. The others, state Sen. Bruce Starr (R-Hillsboro) and state Rep. Karen Minnis (R-Wood Village), are alternate delegates. Mauer is a McCain delegate representing the 2nd Congressional District.