Carrie Duffield and Ivan Hofmann hope to be elected on April 22.

If you haven't seen any campaign signs for the two, don't fret. The Edgeworth residents are hoping to be seated as delegates for the Republican National Convention in Minnea-polis in September.

For Hofmann, the experience is personal.

Hofmann, a retired executive at FedEx Ground, was invited to an NFL game at FedEx Field near Washington, D.C. Also invited to the private box was Arizona Sen. John McCain.

"He sat next to me for the game, and we talked for several hours," Hofmann said.

Hofmann, who had read McCain's book, "Faith of My Fathers," before the chance visit, told McCain how much he enjoyed the book -- most notably one story.

"There is a story in the book about a prisoner who made an American flag out of his shirt," Hofmann said. "The man even used his own blood."

The man's captors removed him from the cell and beat him, Hofmann said. When the man returned to the cell, he began making a new flag.

"I told McCain that the story brought tears to my eyes," Hofmann said.

"He turned to me and said, 'Ivan, I can never look at an American flag without remembering him, and I will until the day I die.'"

From that chance meeting, Hofmann thought McCain would be a good leader.

"I knew that one way or another I was going to help get McCain elected," said Hof-man, who serves as an Edgeworth council member.

For Duffield, this is another way for her to be involved in politics.

"I like to follow the elections," said Duffield, who serves as the Republican committee woman of Edgeworth. "This is an exciting year for the election. Republicans seem to be losing sight of small government here and abroad."

But Hofmann and Duffield realize their chance to be part of history is slim -- that is, unless voters elect them.

At least two of the other Republican delegate candidates are already high-profile local leaders.

Pennsylvania Sen. Jane Orie, R-40, and Allegheny County Councilman Matt Drozd also are on the ballot along with eight others.

While the two hope to win, they understand that it could be a long shot.

"Even if I don't get to be a delegate, it will have been worth the experience," Hof-mann said.

"I'd love to be able to go to the convention and have my voice heard," said Duffield.