FARGO - Today they're handing out ballots, fetching coffee and putting stickers on beach balls. Tomorrow they could be North Dakota's Republican leaders.

"I kind of want to be the governor," said Alexis Dosch, 13, one of 47 young people who served as pages for the state GOP convention that wrapped up here Sunday.

Dosch is the daughter of convention delegate and Bismarck state Rep. Mark Dosch, who was first elected to the House in 2000. Alexis went campaigning door-to-door with her dad when she was 6.

"It was something that she liked and that made the campaign that much more enjoyable," Mark Dosch said. "Ever since that time, she's had this desire to get involved. She wants to be the first female governor of North Dakota."

Alexis Dosch said she tried to take in as much of the convention business as possible.

"I learn more about what's going on in the world," she said. "The things they're talking about are really important for society and the future of the country."

Alexis wasn't the only page at the convention with political aspirations, said Marissa Clarin, a North Dakota State University pharmacy student and chief page for the event.

"I think you're going to see a lot of them run for the state Legislature some day," she said. "Some of their parents are legislators, so it runs in the family. But a lot of the pages have said they want to get involved somehow."

Marissa gave a nominating speech for Brian Kalk, who won the Republican endorsement to run for the state Public Service Commission. She was elected Saturday as chairwoman of the North Dakota College Republicans.

Alexis Dosch's older brother, Isaac, came from Phoenix to join the page crew. He attends art school, and the convention was happening during spring break.

"I enjoy it. You get to meet all sorts of new people and we really have fun together," Isaac said. "I don't plan to run for office any time soon, but events like this are very important."

Twin sisters Kathryn and Adria Johnson, who are 15-year-old sophomores at Fargo South High School, also were pages at the convention in Minot two years ago.

"We thought it was fun and couldn't wait to do it again," Kathryn Johnson said. "We both think it's very important. You hear about different issues and really become educated by listening to it."

Mark Dosch said he had no interest in public office until he was drafted to run for the North Dakota House before the 2000 convention, which was held in the Fargodome.

"I chuckle about my daughter's desire to run for office because I never thought I would be involved in politics," he said. "Never say never."