Many locals looking forward to Ivanka Trumps speech at the RNC

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- When people talk about Ivanka Trump they often talk of how poised and polished a speaker she is. Unlike her father, Ivanka is not rough around the edges. She's also no stranger to Fresno.

In July of 2007, Ivanka came to Fresno to try to salvage the Running Horse development in Southwest Fresno.

"I think it is very important to be here as an ambassador of the Trump organization," said Ivanka in 2007.

Running Horse was a doomed project, but former mayor Alan Autry was impressed by Ivanka's ability to connect with people.

"It was about a nine-month process there, and Ivanka was the one that Donald Trump put as the point person on Running Horse. So I spent a lot of time with her and Michael Cohen. I just remember how down to earth she was."

We talked to Trump delegate Jeff Christensen of Los Banos via Skype. Christensen was looking forward to hearing Ivanka's Introduction of her father in Cleveland.

"He depended on her to run his business and I think she is really well poised. She's going to offer a lot of the rational leadership."

Fresno County GOP party chair Fred Vanderhoof has been impressed with the trump children-- especially Ivanka.

"She's been leading, helping companies since then, and that says something about Donald Trump. He's trusted his companies with his kids."

Autry expects to see another side of Ivanka during her speech.

"I think you may see some humor out of her as well as the genuineness will come out," said Autry.

Ivanka will also look to help her father bridge the gap with female voters.