North Dakota governor contributes nearly $200,000 to 20 allies, reports show

North Dakota Republican Gov. Kelly (AP Photo/Jack Dura)

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – North Dakota’s governor is wading into the Republican Party’s primary races by making significant donations to the campaigns of legislative and statewide candidates he has endorsed.

Gov. Kelly Armstrong has contributed $195,400 to 20 candidates and one district party committee as of Friday’s deadline to report campaign contributions and expenditures.

“The slate of candidates I have endorsed and financially supported are focused on results-driven policies for our state,” Armstrong said in a statement. “They want to lower property taxes, grow our economy, and reduce government spending. I’m proud to support these candidates.”

Pat Finken, a retired activist who began working in Republican Party politics in 1974, said it is typical for a governor to financially support like-minded candidates on the ballot in North Dakota. Former governors including Jack Dalrymple, John Hoeven, and George Sinner all did so, Finken said.

“For them to help people that were mainstream for their view of the world, I think that’s very common,” Finken said.

Former Gov. Doug Burgum, now secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, did so as well, prompting some pushback from legislators. Finken said the difference between Burgum and his predecessors was in spending money to target specific incumbent legislators, rather than limiting his efforts to supporting candidates he sought to help.

“Burgum, obviously, was a departure from traditional norms where he would actually not only just go out and help a candidate, he’d go out and try to work against certain candidates,” Finken said. “Doug’s campaign would target some incumbents. I think that’s a whole different kettle of fish than when you might see where you’re just supporting certain candidates.”

Finken and Armstrong both noted a sitting governor is traditionally considered the head of their political party.

The size of Armstrong’s campaign contributions varied, from $25,000 to incumbent Public Service Commissioners Sheri Haugen-Hoffart and Jill Kringstad to $500 for Kylan Klauzer, a candidate to replace outgoing House Majority Leader Mike Lefor in Dickinson’s District 37.

Most candidates received between $3,000 and $10,000. One example is Sen. Don Schaible, R-Mott, who is facing a contested primary in his District 31 reelection campaign.

“Don has worked to lower your property taxes and he will continue to fight for our family farmers, ranchers, and to help unleash North Dakota energy,” Armstrong said in an endorsement video posted to the governor’s campaign Facebook page. “He has a strong record of delivering results to protect our North Dakota way of life.”

Mary Graner, a Morton County farmer and news personality for BEK TV, is running against Schaible in the June 9 primary. Graner said she respects Armstrong’s right to support candidates he chooses, and isn’t surprised by it.

“I’m not establishment,” she said.

Graner said she does not believe the governor’s support will make a difference in her primary race. Graner said she is running because District 31 needs stronger, conservative leadership, and she criticized Schaible’s voting record.

Schaible did not return calls seeking comment.

The full list of Armstrong’s campaign contributions to candidates is as follows:

$25,000 to Sheri Haugen-Hoffart, PSC six-year term
$25,000 to Jill Kringstad, PSC two-year term
$25,000 to Levi Bachmeier, superintendent of public instruction
$10,000 to Blaine Deslauriers, District 3 House candidate
$10,000 to Timothy Mihalick, District 3 House candidate
$5,000 to Steve Sauter, District 7 House candidate
$5,000 to Greg Vetter, District 7 House candidate
$10,000 to Sen. Michelle Axtman, District 7
$10,000 to District 13 West Fargo Republicans
$3,300 to Rep. Austen Schauer, District 13
$3,300 to Rep. Jim Jonas, District 13
$3,300 to Sen. Judy Lee, District 13
$5,000 to Corey Johnson, District 23 House candidate
$5,000 to Terry Goerger, District 25 House candidate
$5,000 to Rep. Greg Stemen, District 27
$5,000 to Shawn Kessel, District 27 House candidate
$10,000 to Sen. Don Schaible, District 31
$10,000 to Michael Heger, District 33 House candidate
$500 to Kylan Klauzer, District 37 House candidate
$10,000 to Sen. Greg Kessel, District 39
$10,000 to Rep. Dustin McNally, District 42