Jack Dalrymple, North Dakota Governor, Announces Full-Term Bid

Political Races Take Shape In Economic Boom State

North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple (R) announced Tuesday that he would seek a full term in the governor's office in the 2012 election.

Dalrymple succeeded to the office last year after former Gov. John Hoeven (R) resigned to become a U.S. senator. Dalrymple, a former state legislator from Fargo, served as Hoeven's lieutenant governor for a decade before taking the governorship. The Minot Daily News reported that Dalrymple cited the state's economic history as part of his rationale for seeking a full term.

Dalrymple also stressed his desire to continue the state's successes.

"I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished here in North Dakota. We are making tremendous progress. Working together, we have created thousands of good jobs, reduced property and income taxes and built up our reserves. Today there are more new opportunities than ever before," he said.

About 17,000 available jobs exist across the state, and personal income is growing at double the national average, he said.

North Dakota's economy has been the fastest-growing in any of the 50 states, at times growing faster than the national economy in recent years. This has included an oil and gas boom in the state, which has led to a surplus in the state budget.

Dalrymple's announcement came the same day that state Public Service Commissioner Kevin Cramer (R) formed a campaign committee to raise funds for North Dakota's lone congressional seat. Rep. Rick Berg (R) is not seeking a second term in favor of running for an open U.S. Senate seat. Cramer is looking to oppose fellow Public Service Commissioner Brian Kalk in a Republican congressional primary. Kalk had been seeking the Senate seat before Berg announced his plans in the race to succeed retiring Sen. Kent Conrad (D).

The Bismarck Tribune reported that Cramer has previously lost three congressional races and has not made a final decision on 2012.

Cramer said Monday he filed the paperwork needed to raise campaign money so that he would be ready to accept contributions if he decided to run.

"It's quite easy to file a committee, and I thought I'd get that done," Cramer said. "I'm just prepared, just in case."

On the Democratic side, state Sen. Ryan Taylor of Towner has indicated he is considering a bid for the governorship. Former state Rep. Pam Gulleson (D-Rutland) is the only Democrat to enter the congressional race, after former state. Rep. Ben Vig (D-Aneta) announced this summer that he would not seek the seat.

The Cook Political Report has rated the governor's race as "safe Republican" while rating the congressional race as "likely Republican."

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