Ellmers geared up for first national GOP convention

"There's so much uncertainty out there," she said in an interview with WRAL News. "If you can get rid of that, we could start (hiring) again, and that's what this election is all about."

Ellmers said she hopes the party doesn't become distracted by Democratic rhetoric that Republicans are waging a "war on women" in the final weeks of the campaign.

"I'm a woman. I'm a conservative Republican. I certainly would never do anything to harm another woman or issues that affect women," she said.

Still, she acknowledged that Missouri Congressman Todd Akin's recent comments don't help the situation. The U.S. Senate candidate said a woman couldn't get pregnant in a "legitimate rape."

The comment was "unfortunate, obviously misguided and certainly misunderstood on his part," she said, adding that she doesn't believe it will affect the presidential campaign.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's selection of Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate will affect the campaign, Ellmers predicted, calling Ryan "a great guy" who's extremely intelligent and focused.

"He helped write the Ryan budget – the House budget – that puts us on the pathway to a plan to getting the economy underway (and) getting out of debt," she said.

"President Obama hasn't been the leader we've been looking for, especially in tough economic times," she continued. "I think Mitt Romney will be able to put that forward, and I think the American people are going to feel much better about the future of our country for our children."

Ellmers said she also is looking forward to hearing speakers like New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal speak at the convention. They have put programs in place in their states that North Carolina could copy, she said.