2016 North Dakota gubernatorial election

Last updated

2016 North Dakota gubernatorial election
Flag of North Dakota.svg
  2012 November 8, 2016 2020  
  DougBurgum 2018 (cropped-1).jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Doug Burgum Marvin Nelson
Party Republican Democratic–NPL
Running mate Brent Sanford Joan Heckaman
Popular vote259,86365,855
Percentage76.52%19.39%

2016 North Dakota gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
ND Governor 2016.svg
Burgum:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
Nelson:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%

Governor before election

Jack Dalrymple
Republican

Elected Governor

Doug Burgum
Republican

The 2016 North Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2016, to elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. This would have been the first time North Dakotans selected a governor under new voter ID requirements, in which a student ID was insufficient identification to vote, [1] but a court ruling in August 2016 struck the down the provision; the election was held under the 2013 rules. [2]

Contents

The primaries took place on June 14. This is the first open seat election since 2000. Incumbent Republican Jack Dalrymple announced that he would not run for re-election to a second full term in office. [3] Businessman Doug Burgum (R) defeated state representative Marvin Nelson (DNPL) in the general election to become the new Governor of North Dakota.

Background

In December 2010, Republican Governor John Hoeven resigned after being elected to the U.S. Senate. Jack Dalrymple, the lieutenant governor, was sworn in as governor and was elected to a full term in 2012. In August 2015, Dalrymple announced that he would not run for re-election to a second full term in office. [3]

Republican primary

The North Dakota Republican Party endorsed North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem at their April 2–3 state convention, however ballot access was actually determined by the June 14th primary election, which former Microsoft executive Doug Burgum won in an upset. [4]

Candidates

Endorsed

Other candidates

Withdrawn

Declined

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Rick
Becker
Doug
Burgum
Wayne
Stenehjem
Undecided
ND United/DFM Research [15] February 18–25, 2016369 [a] ±5.1%10%59%31%
  1. likely Republican primary voters

Republican State Convention

To endorse a candidate, delegates to the Republican state convention voted for one candidate in a series of rounds. After the first round, all candidates would remain on the ballot, but after subsequent rounds of voting, the recipient of the lowest number of votes would be removed. The first candidate to receive more than half the cast vote would receive the state party endorsement.

After no candidate received the majority in the first round, a second round of voting was completed, in which enough delegates voted for Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem to give him the endorsement without having to remove a candidate from the ballot or vote again. [16]

First Convention Ballot
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Wayne Stenehjem76947.97%
Republican Rick Becker58736.61%
Republican Doug Burgum24715.40%
Total votes1,603 100.00%
Second Convention Ballot
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Wayne Stenehjem 823 51.50%
Republican Rick Becker61838.67%
Republican Doug Burgum1579.82%
Total votes1,598 100.00%

Republican primary results

Results by county:
.mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{}
Burgum--70-80%
Burgum--60-70%
Burgum--50-60%
Burgum--40-50%
Burgum/Stenehjem tie--40-50%
Stenehjem--50-60% North Dakota Gubernatorial Republican Primary 2016.svg
Results by county:
  Burgum—70–80%
  Burgum—60–70%
  Burgum—50–60%
  Burgum—40–50%
  Burgum/Stenehjem tie—40–50%
  Stenehjem—50–60%
Republican primary results [17]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Doug Burgum 68,042 59.47%
Republican Wayne Stenehjem44,15838.59%
Republican Paul Sorum2,1641.89%
Republican Write-in510.04%
Total votes114,415 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Endorsed

Declined

Results

Democratic-NPL primary results [17]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic–NPL Marvin Nelson 17,278 99.66%
Democratic–NPL Write-in590.34%
Total votes17,337 100.00%

Libertarian Party

Candidates

Endorsed

  • Marty Riske, businessman and former state party chairman [27]
    • Running mate: Joshua Voytek [8]

Results

Libertarian primary results [17]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Libertarian Marty Riske 1,088 99.36%
Libertarian Write-in70.64%
Total votes1,095 100.00%

General election

Debates

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [28] Safe RAugust 12, 2016
Daily Kos [29] Likely RNovember 8, 2016
Rothenberg Political Report [30] Safe RNovember 3, 2016
Sabato's Crystal Ball [31] Safe RNovember 7, 2016
Real Clear Politics [32] Safe RNovember 1, 2016
Governing [33] Safe ROctober 27, 2016

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Doug
Burgum (R)
Marvin
Nelson (D)
Undecided
SurveyMonkey [34] November 1–7, 2016313± 4.6%70%27%3%
SurveyMonkey [35] October 31–November 6, 2016288± 4.6%68%29%3%
SurveyMonkey [36] October 28–November 3, 2016276± 4.6%70%27%3%
SurveyMonkey [37] October 27–November 2, 2016260± 4.6%69%28%3%
SurveyMonkey [38] October 26–November 1, 2016254± 4.6%67%30%3%
SurveyMonkey [39] October 25–31, 2016279± 4.6%68%29%3%

Results

North Dakota gubernatorial election, 2016 [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Doug Burgum 259,863 76.52% +13.42%
Democratic–NPL Marvin Nelson 65,85519.39%−14.92%
Libertarian Marty Riske13,2303.90%N/A
Write-in 6530.19%N/A
Total votes339,601 100.0% N/A
Republican hold

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 United States Senate election in North Dakota</span>

The 2012 United States Senate election in North Dakota took place on November 6, 2012, concurrently with the 2012 U.S. presidential election, other United States Senate elections, United States House of Representatives elections, and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic-NPL Senator Kent Conrad decided to retire instead of running for reelection to a fifth term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 North Dakota gubernatorial election</span>

The 2008 North Dakota gubernatorial election took place on 4 November 2008 for the post of Governor of North Dakota. Incumbent Republican governor John Hoeven was easily reelected again, defeating Democratic-NPL challenger Tim Mathern. The primaries took place on June 10, 2008. John Hoeven outperformed John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee, by about 21%. McCain defeated Democratic nominee Barack Obama 53%–45% in the concurrent presidential election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew Wrigley</span> Attorney General of North Dakota since 2022

Drew Howard Wrigley is an American attorney, lawyer, and politician from North Dakota. Wrigley currently serves as the attorney general of North Dakota. He declared his candidacy for the office in early January 2022. Weeks later, then-incumbent Wayne Stenehjem died unexpectedly, and Governor Doug Burgum appointed Wrigley to serve the final year of that term. Wrigley was elected to a four-year term in November 2022, garnering 71% of the vote. Wrigley previously served as the United States Attorney for the District of North Dakota from 2001 to 2009 and again from 2019 to 2021, appointed by President George W. Bush and Donald Trump, respectively. Between his terms as United States attorney, Wrigley served as the 37th lieutenant governor of North Dakota from 2010 to 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 North Dakota gubernatorial election</span>

The 2012 North Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 2012, to elect a Governor and Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota, concurrently with the 2012 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Governor Jack Dalrymple succeeded to the office when then-Governor John Hoeven resigned to take a seat in the U.S. Senate in 2010. Dalrymple, a member of the Republican Party, won election to a full term. Ryan Taylor was the Democratic nominee. Dalrymple prevailed with 63% of the vote; he declined to seek re-election in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States Senate election in North Dakota</span>

The 2016 United States Senate election in North Dakota was held November 8, 2016, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of North Dakota, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. The primaries were held June 14.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States gubernatorial elections</span>

United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 8, 2016, in 12 states and two territories. The last regular gubernatorial elections for nine of the 12 states took place in 2012. The last gubernatorial elections for New Hampshire, Oregon, and Vermont took place in 2014, as Oregon held a special election due to the resignation of Governor John Kitzhaber, while the governors of New Hampshire and Vermont both serve two-year terms. The 2016 gubernatorial elections took place concurrently with several other federal, state, and local elections, including the presidential election, Senate, and House elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Becker</span> North Dakota politician and physician

Ricky Clark Becker is an American businessman and politician from Bismarck. He served in the North Dakota House of Representatives as a Republican from 2012 to 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Burgum</span> Governor of North Dakota since 2016

Douglas James Burgum is an American businessman and politician serving since 2016 as the 33rd governor of North Dakota. He is among the richest politicians in the United States and has an estimated net worth of at least $1.1 billion. He is a member of the Republican Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States House of Representatives election in North Dakota</span>

The 2016 United States House of Representatives election in North Dakota was held on November 8, 2016, to elect the U.S. representative from North Dakota's at-large congressional district. The election coincided with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the North Dakota Governor election, U.S. Senate election, as well as other statewide, legislative, and local elections. This was first House election since the state legislature changed voter ID requirements, revoking the ability to vote using a student ID.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States presidential election in North Dakota</span>

The 2016 United States presidential election in North Dakota was held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, as part of the 2016 United States presidential election in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated. North Dakota voters chose electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote, pitting the Republican nominee, businessman Donald Trump, and running mate Indiana Governor Mike Pence against Democratic nominee, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and her running mate Virginia Senator Tim Kaine. North Dakota has three electoral votes in the Electoral College.

Marvin Nelson is an American politician from the state of North Dakota. He serves in the North Dakota House of Representatives as a member of the North Dakota Democratic-Nonpartisan League Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States Senate election in North Dakota</span>

The 2018 United States Senate election in North Dakota took place on November 6, 2018, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of North Dakota, concurrently with other elections to the U.S. Senate, as well as other federal, state and local elections in North Dakota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brent Sanford</span> Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota from 2016 to 2023

Brent Sanford is an American politician who was the 38th lieutenant governor of North Dakota from 2016 to 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he previously was Mayor of Watford City from 2010 to 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 North Dakota gubernatorial election</span>

The 2020 North Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 2020, to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of North Dakota, concurrently with other federal and statewide elections, including the U.S. presidential election. Incumbent Republican governor Doug Burgum and lieutenant governor Brent Sanford were both re-elected to a second term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelly Armstrong</span> American politician & attorney (born 1976)

Kelly Michael Armstrong is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for North Dakota's at-large congressional district since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the North Dakota state senator from the 36th district from 2012 to 2018 and chair of the North Dakota Republican Party from 2015 until 2018. On January 23, 2024, he announced he would not seek re-election to the House, and would instead run in the 2024 North Dakota gubernatorial election. Armstrong won the Republican primary on June 11, 2024, and defeated Democratic nominee Merrill Piepkorn in the general election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merrill Piepkorn</span> American politician (born 1949)

Merrill Piepkorn is an American entertainer and politician who has served in the North Dakota Senate from the 44th district since 2016. He is a member of the Democratic-NPL Party. He has also hosted radio shows on Prairie Public Radio and served as the public address announcer for the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 North Dakota gubernatorial election</span>

The 2024 North Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2024, to elect the governor of North Dakota. Incumbent Republican governor Doug Burgum decided to not seek re-election to a third term. He would ultimately decide to run for president. The Democratic-NPL has not won a governor's race in North Dakota since 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 North Dakota Attorney General election</span>

The 2022 North Dakota Attorney General election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the Attorney General of North Dakota. Incumbent Republican Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem had announced before his death on January 28, 2022, that he was retiring, and was replaced by former United States Attorney for the District of North Dakota and former Lieutenant Governor Drew Wrigley, who was running for a full term in his own right.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 United States House of Representatives election in North Dakota</span>

The 2024 United States House of Representatives election in North Dakota were held on November 5, 2024, to elect a member of the United States House of Representatives to represent the state of North Dakota from its at-large congressional district. The election coincided with the 2024 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the U.S. House, elections to the United States Senate, and various other state and local elections. The primary elections are scheduled for June 11, 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tammy Miller (politician)</span> American politician (born 1960)

Tammy Miller is an American politician and corporate executive from North Dakota. Assuming office in 2023, she is the 39th lieutenant governor of North Dakota. Miller was appointed by Governor Doug Burgum, following Lieutenant Governor Brent Sanford's resignation.

References

  1. Watts, Adam; Lyden, Grace (March 9, 2016). "ID law may complicate voting for North Dakota students". Forum of Fargo-Moorhead . Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  2. Childress, Sarah (August 2, 2016). "North Dakota's Voter ID Law Is Latest to Be Overturned". Frontline . WGBH-TV . Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 "Dalrymple won't run for re-election". KFGO. August 24, 2015. Archived from the original on August 25, 2015. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  4. 1 2 Springer, Patrick (January 14, 2016). "Doug Burgum announces bid for North Dakota governor". Grand Forks Herald . Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  5. "Stenehjem to announce for governor next week". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead . November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  6. "After two ballots, Stenehjem wins GOP nomination for ND governor's race". The Dickinson Press . Forum Communications. Forum News Service. April 2, 2016. Archived from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  7. Nelson, TJ (April 3, 2016). "Stenehjem Announces Running Mate in ND Governor Race". KVRR.com. Red River Broadcast Co. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  8. 1 2 Nowatzki, Mike (April 8, 2016). "After criticizing Burgum, Sanford agrees to be his running mate". Jamestown Sun . Forum Communications. Forum News Service. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  9. "State lawmaker from Bismarck running for governor". Grand Forks Herald . September 23, 2015. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  10. Hageman, John (November 16, 2015). "Campbell announces he won't run for North Dakota governor". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead . Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  11. Musland, Cally (August 25, 2015). "Congressman Kevin Cramer: "Timing isn't right for me to run for Governor"". KFGO. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  12. "Former Secretaries". usda.gov. United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  13. Nowatzki, Mike (November 18, 2015). "ND treasurer Schmidt to seek fourth term, won't run for governor". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead . Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  14. Nowatzki, Mike (September 28, 2015). "North Dakota Lt. Gov. Wrigley won't run for governor". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead . Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  15. Nowatzki, Mike (March 1, 2016). "Poll finds Burgum trailing Stenehjem by large margin". Forum of Fargo-Moorhead . Forum News Service. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  16. "news". INFORUM.
  17. 1 2 3 "North Dakota Secretary of State". ND Secretary of State. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  18. Nowatzki, Mike (April 4, 2016). "Four races still unfilled". Jamestown Sun . Forum Communications . Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  19. Grossfeld, Max (March 23, 2016). "ND Gov. Candidate Nelson Chooses New Rockford Sen. Heckaman as Running Mate". KFYR-TV . Associated Press. Archived from the original on April 3, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  20. Nowatzki, Mike (September 9, 2015). "Heitkamp says she won't run for governor in 2016". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead . Retrieved September 9, 2015.
  21. 1 2 Haney, Don (January 29, 2016). "North Dakota democrat party leader says plenty of potential canidates [sic] for governor". KFGO. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  22. 1 2 Monk, Jim (March 3, 2016). "Sinner rules out gov. race; may not run for re-election to senate". KFGO. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  23. Jacobson, Louis (January 23, 2015). "Democrats Have More Seats to Defend in 2015-2016 Governors Races". Governing . Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  24. Nowatzki, Mike (August 25, 2015). "Heitkamp: Decision on ND governor's race coming 'sooner rather than later'". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead . Retrieved September 9, 2015.
  25. Nowatzki, Mike (November 3, 2015). "Former ND ag commissioner exploring run for governor". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead . Archived from the original on November 25, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  26. "Vogel bows out of North Dakota governor's race". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead . January 28, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  27. "Fargo businessman to run for governor as Libertarian". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead . Forum Communications. Forum News Service. April 5, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  28. "2016 Governor Race ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
  29. "Elections 2015-16". Daily Kos. Retrieved October 15, 2018.[ permanent dead link ]
  30. "Gubernatorial Ratings". The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
  31. "Our Final 2016 picks". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Archived from the original on October 15, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
  32. "2016 Election Maps - 2016 Governor Races". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
  33. "2016 Governors Races Ratings & News". Governing Magazine. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  34. SurveyMonkey
  35. SurveyMonkey
  36. SurveyMonkey
  37. SurveyMonkey
  38. SurveyMonkey
  39. SurveyMonkey
  40. "Official Results General Election". North Dakota Voting Information & Central Election Systems. North Dakota Secretary of State. November 8, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2017.