Doug Burgum wins ND GOP Primary

[Fargobison]

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http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/doug-burgum-wins-gop-primary-north-dakota-governor-39862980

[BuckeyeNut]

This is a surprise, no?

[Mike Thick]

Wow.

[Fargobison]

This is a surprise, no?

I would call it an upset. Burgum did spend a ton of money but Stenehjem is a popular AG. I'm really shocked how well Burgum did outside of Fargo.

Cass County isn't even half in yet and he is up huge.

[Flake]

The results so far.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

The results so far.

http://results.sos.nd.gov/resultsSW.aspx?text=Race&type=SW&map=CTY

[JMT]

Wow, I had not followed the race closely but I had just assumed Stenehjem would skate to the nomination due to the fact he's the long time Attorney General. But wow, not only did Burgum win, but it wasn't even close. I would consider this an upset.

But it seems that if Stenehjem wants it, he could run again for attorney general, he didn't give up his seat to run for Governor. He's not up for reelection till 2018. Also, I just looked up Stenehjem's electoral history to learn more about him after the loss. So for someone more well versed in North Dakota politics... If the AG has a 4 year term, why was there an Attorney General Election in both 2004 and 2006, but then it's been normal ever since? There was an AG election in 2000, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014... Next one is 2018. Why only a two year term after 2004? Not extremely important I guess, but just curious.

[Vega]

What kind of Democrat could win the ND Governorship? I know it's not as distant a possibility as some states.

[Heisenberg]

Wow, I had not followed the race closely but I had just assumed Stenehjem would skate to the nomination due to the fact he's the long time Attorney General. But wow, not only did Burgum win, but it wasn't even close. I would consider this an upset.

But it seems that if Stenehjem wants it, he could run again for attorney general, he didn't give up his seat to run for Governor. He's not up for reelection till 2018. Also, I just looked up Stenehjem's electoral history to learn more about him after the loss. So for someone more well versed in North Dakota politics... If the AG has a 4 year term, why was there an Attorney General Election in both 2004 and 2006, but then it's been normal ever since? There was an AG election in 2000, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014... Next one is 2018. Why only a two year term after 2004? Not extremely important I guess, but just curious.

My guess: Originally ND AG was elected on Presidential years, but moved to midterm years. Therefore, to transition, the 2004 election was for a two year term, followed by another one in 2006 for four years.

[BuckeyeNut]

What kind of Democrat could win the ND Governorship? I know it's not as distant a possibility as some states.

Heitkamp.

[JMT]

Wow, I had not followed the race closely but I had just assumed Stenehjem would skate to the nomination due to the fact he's the long time Attorney General. But wow, not only did Burgum win, but it wasn't even close. I would consider this an upset.

But it seems that if Stenehjem wants it, he could run again for attorney general, he didn't give up his seat to run for Governor. He's not up for reelection till 2018. Also, I just looked up Stenehjem's electoral history to learn more about him after the loss. So for someone more well versed in North Dakota politics... If the AG has a 4 year term, why was there an Attorney General Election in both 2004 and 2006, but then it's been normal ever since? There was an AG election in 2000, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014... Next one is 2018. Why only a two year term after 2004? Not extremely important I guess, but just curious.

My guess: Originally ND AG was elected on Presidential years, but moved to midterm years. Therefore, to transition, the 2004 election was for a two year term, followed by another one in 2006 for four years.

That would make sense. Stenehjem is probably happy about that change now, considering even though he lost his bid for Governor he can continue to serve as AG and run for reelection in 2 years. He didn't have to give up his seat this year due to the change.

[Adam Griffin]

Yikes.

[Ebsy]

Wow. So... is this race a Tossup now?

I doubt it. Pretty sure the Democratic nominee is a some guy state legislator.

[Zioneer]

I'm surprised, I thought the guy with the unspellable name would won.

[Fargobison]

Wow. So... is this race a Tossup now?

Burgum will roll, he has popularity across party lines in ND. I think Dem's crossing over helped to pump up his margin of victory a bit last night.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Wow--I wasn't expecting this.  Especially since Stenehjem got the party's endorsement at the convention earlier in the year.  Is Burgum a Tea Party guy?

[Horsemask]

What the hell? I thought Stenejhem already was nominated?

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

What the hell? I thought Stenejhem already was nominated?

No, it was just the pre-primary endorsement of the party leadership. The primary makes the final decision on the nominee.

[Fargobison]

Wow--I wasn't expecting this.  Especially since Stenehjem got the party's endorsement at the convention earlier in the year.  Is Burgum a Tea Party guy?

He isn't really a tea party guy, some of the more conservative people in the state thought he was too moderate. That said some of those people might have just not liked him because he is from Fargo.

Like I said before a decent chunk of Burgum's margin of victory was probably Dem crossover voters, he was there one shot to stick it the ND GOP establishment and try to bring in some new blood. He would have still won without them but it would have been much closer.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Even better, teh legislatures attempt to shoot down some of the NPL's legacy was shut down.

[This account no longer in use.]

So, basically, Burgum was more moderate than Stenehjem?

[Fargobison]

So, basically, Burgum was more moderate than Stenehjem?

Burgum did run a rather conservative campaign but for most of his life he has been rather moderate.

A big key in the upset in my opinion was Stenehjem ran a rather low energy campaign, Burgum really out worked him.

[/]

Yikes.

Why is poor Kidder County left uncolored?

[Heisenberg]

Yikes.

Why is poor Kidder County left uncolored?

Burgum won it 57.10-39.86 (from the website of North Dakota Secretary of State). It should be colored accordingly.

[Holmes]

Hm. An east vs. west divide here, just like in the South Dakota Democratic primary for President. Although Burgum won pretty much every county, but you can tell by the margins of victory in the east compared to the west.