Complex sentence: During the United States presidential election in 1968 Finch was Nixon's first choice as his Vice Presidential running mate, but Finch declined and Nixon then chose Governor of Maryland Spiro Agnew.
Split into simpler sentences: During the United States presidential election, 1968 Finch was reported as Nixon's first choice for his Vice Presidential candidate. But Finch declined and Nixon eventually chose Governor of Maryland Spiro Agnew.