Here’s the latest chapter in the increasingly petty Republican gubernatorial primary between Doug Burgum and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem. Apparently Pat Finken of Odney Advertising sat in for Scott Hennen on his syndicated, state-wide talk radio show today. He used his on-air time to talk about the gubernatorial campaign, including bringing on guests like state…
UPDATED: Lt. Governor Drew Wrigley Did Offer Valley News Live An Interview
I have an update to the kerfuffle over a news report claiming that Lt. Governor Drew Wrigley was dodging reporters looking to ask questions about his affair, and it turns out that Wrigley did offer an interview though not necessarily in the medium requested. Last night TV news station Valley News Live ran a story claiming…
Pat Finken: It's Time To Fix Our Federal Permitting Process
America is a country that has been built on opportunity. For generations, men and women have found ways to develop our resources, expand our infrastructure, and grow our economy. And in doing so, they have left a legacy and created new opportunity for generations to come. Many, however, are currently being lost to a broken…
Democrats Won't Say If They've Requested Student Data For Political Purposes
We’re in the “red zone” for the election year, with early voting having commenced and election day just a few weeks away, and for some reason Democrats have decided to make an open records request by a Republican-aligned marketing firm for student data that is public record a really big issue. At issue is Odney Advertising head…
How Did Democrats Discover Odney Email Without Open Records Request?
Last week North Dakota Democrat Party Chairman Bob Valeu made a stink about Pat Finken, the head of Odney advertising, requesting student directory information from the North Dakota University System. Valeu and Democrats called on Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem to block the release of data, claiming that he could do so even though the information is…
North Dakota Democrats Declare War On Republican Ad Firm
In the eyes of this political observer, it’s been a pretty quiet election year in North Dakota so far. The House race between incumbent Republican Kevin Cramer and Democrat challenger George Sinner has been a snoozer so far. Despite indications that it would be a competitive race at the onset the match between Republican incumbent…
Polling: Goehring Polls Better Than Estenson Against Taylor, Fairfield Way Behind Jaeger
I have some polling from the Brighter Future Alliance – a North Dakota based 501c4 non-profit committed to promoting the free enterprise system and pro energy development public policy, as they describe themselves – in the Agriculture Commissioner and Secretary of State races. Full disclosure: The Brighter Future Alliance was founded by Pat Finken who is…
Does The NDGOP Have Bookkeeping Problems?
Michal Conger published an article for the Washington Examiner a couple of days ago detailing what the headline claims is “strange spending” by the North Dakota-based “super PAC” called the Brighter Future Fund. The group was founded by Odney Advertising president Pat Finken (full disclosure: Odney sends advertising dollars to SAB), and during the 2012 cycle was…
Majority Leader Al Carlson Agrees To Amendments To Controversial Flood Diversion Bill
The issue of flood diversion for the City of Fargo is hugely controversial. The citizens of Fargo want to divert flood waters to other people’s property so that they’re not stuck with the risk of a hugely disruptive and expensive flood fight every year. Citizens outside Fargo don’t want the flood waters sent to their…