Fargo, North Dakota – A lawmaker from North Dakota is more likely to enter the presidential campaign.
In less than two weeks, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is anticipated to declare his candidacy for president in 2024.
Many people think this would be a very similar uphill battle to what Gov. Burgum had in the 2016 race for governor.
Burgum would compete in the Republican primary against front-runner Donald Trump, a former president who currently has between 50 and 70 percent of the party’s support.
Ron Desantis, governor of Florida, is vying for re-election as a Republican who can “get things done” and is now polling between 20 and 30%.
Then there is a group of Republicans competing for the support of moderate Republicans, including former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, and perhaps Governor Burgum.
Burgum has positioned himself as a pro-business governor, advocating “innovation, not regulation” in the energy sector, and he recently signed a significant tax relief law. However, he frequently vetoes socially conservative legislation sponsored by the Republican state legislature, such as a law banning books and another that would have allowed private school vouchers and transgender pronouns.
Currently serving in his second term as governor is Burgum. He won re-election as governor in 2020 with approximately 66% of the vote after being initially elected in 2016. Some say, “I really can’t complain on how he is running the state but I don’t think he is ready for president yet,” and others saying, “He doesn’t have my vote.”
Despite some people not being in favor, U.S. Senator John Hoeven sent a statement to Valley News Live today saying, “I have known Doug Burgum for a long time. He has been a leader for our state in both the private sector and now as governor. I will leave any announcements up to him, but if he does choose to run he has my endorsement and I wish him well in the race.”
Even if Burgum loses, spreading his brand across the country may help him gain access to more national media and a cabinet job if a Republican wins in 2024.
Despite not officially declaring his candidacy, sources close to Governor Burgum claim that he will make a choice on June 7 at the Sanctuary Events Center in Fargo.
