Gov. Jack Dalrymple made a surprise move Monday when he announced he won’t be running for a second full four-year term and opening the door to a combative election process from Republicans as well as Democrats.
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In his final 16 months in office, Dalrymple plans on moving forward various policy matters, including further infrastructure buildout and tax relief.
Dalrymple, who called it a great privilege to be in office during what he called the most prosperous time in state history, said he wasn’t sure if he’d remain involved in politics but that he and the first lady will spend more time at their farm in Casselton as well as with their children and grandchildren.
Stenehjem said up until 10 a.m. Monday, he was convinced that Dalrymple would run again, “and I was thoroughly happy about it, because I enjoy working with him”.
U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp has been mentioned as a possible Democratic candidate.
“We will miss him”, Armstrong said of Dalrymple.
He says Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley is an “obvious” candidate and he believes Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem may also seek the job. “We’re sorry to see him go”, North Dakota Republican Party chairman Kelly Armstrong said.
Republican House Majority Leader Al Carlson of Fargo says Dalrymple has been an outstanding leader.
Heitkamp’s future could have national implications because if she runs for governor, Democrats would have to try to defend that seat in a Republican-leaning state. “North Dakota has made incredible progress and I feel so blessed to have been part of leading our state, especially in the years since 2000, truly a golden period for North Dakota”.
As the chair of the three-member North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC), Dalrymple held enormous power over the state’s oil industry, which began to grow in 2008 and only mushroomed once he took office, attracting labor and investment dollars from across the world.
Dalrymple governed during a time of major economic expansion, fueled by the Bakken shale play.
The state also has experienced unprecedented challenges, and Dalrymple said he expects to make more progress in several areas in the coming year, including reducing flaring of natural gas, conditioning oil for rail transport and providing more oil regulators and law enforcement.
Hoeven issued a statement highlighting Dalrymple’s years of service to the state and saying he “has earned the appreciation and respect of all North Dakotans”.
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Dalrymple said he has focused on management of that overall growth.
