Burgum eyes next steps while vowing to finish strong in North Dakota
Steve Hallstrom
Special to The Farmer
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum appears to have many options for his next job, but says he remains committed to finishing strong in North Dakota.
Burgum, who announced Jan. 22, in Bismarck that he would step down when his term ends in December, made a campaign appearance later that night for Republican Presidential front-runner Donald Trump. It was a busy and long day, but not his first such adventure.
“Well, we have a lot of weeks like this, so it’s not that much different, but yes it was great to be with President Trump in New Hampshire last week and this week. And of course, it was a big and tough decision about not running for a third term because it’s been such an honor for Kathryn and I to serve the state that we love so much with so many positive things going, and so much more to accomplish. But we have a lot of good candidates that are interested in filling those shoes, so the Republican Party is strong and the state’s heading in the right direction.”
At press time, only one person, Congressman Kelly Armstrong, has announced a run to fill the governor’s seat when Burgum’s term ends. Former State Senator Tom Campbell had earlier told KTGO (AM 1090/FM 92.7), Radio that he would run for Governor, but on Friday Jan. 26, declared that he had switched his focus to running for Congress.
Burgum says, in the meantime, he’s determined to serve not just the state but the entire country when possible. He’s backing that up with a decision to support Texas Governor Greg Abbott, joining more than two dozen fellow Republican governors in Abbott’s fight with the federal government to secure the southern border.
For the full story, visit www.watfordcitynd.com and subscribe to the McKenzie County Farmer today!