Haugland is one of just 112 Republican delegates who are “unbound” because their states and territories – North Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, American Samoa and Guam – hold no primaries or caucuses. Instead, delegates are chosen at state convention without reference to voters’ views on the presidential candidates.

That opens up the prospect of them immediately swinging behind other candidates even if Trump arrives at Cleveland with a lead in the delegate haul…

Most delegates have not yet been chosen but Erling is guaranteed a slot because he is one of 168 members of the Republican National Committee (RNC). In nearly every state, RNC members are bound to vote for the candidate who won there – but not North Dakota.

Joe Miller, 32, a corn and soy bean farmer and state senator from Park River, North Dakota, was elected as a delegate in 2012. He said that if he’s a delegate this year he would plan to cast his ballot for Cruz, a firebrand who alienated colleagues on Capitol Hill by refusing to countenance compromise.