Michael Coachman, a regular if marginal candidate for statewide office in North Dakota, has announced yet another campaign. In 2020 he’ll be running for governor, taking on incumbent Republican Doug Burgum (who hasn’t announced yet but has been polling his candidacy) and an eventual Democratic candidate. Good for Coachman, I think. His past campaigns have…
State Lawmaker Who Sued the State Wants $150,000 for “Hardships” From Public Criticism, Also $62 Million in Attorneys Fees
State Rep. Marvin Nelson, a Democrat from Rolla, was one of five plaintiffs who sued the state of North Dakota to prohibit the pay out of $187 million to royalty owners with rights under Lake Sakakawea. Now Nelson and his fellow plaintiffs want the state to pay them more than $62 million in legal fees,…
This Dumb Lawsuit Could Cost North Dakota Taxpayers Big Time
For some reason two former gubernatorial candidates – Democratic state Rep. Marvin Nelson and gadfly Paul Sorum – have filed a lawsuit trying to stop the State of North Dakota from recognizing the private ownership of minerals (read: oil and gas) under Lake Sakakawea. That’s a man-made lake. Everyone agrees that the state owns the…
Accusations About Oil Regulators Destroying Records Are Political Baloney
A recent news article credulously reported the claims of a Bismarck attorney who is accusing the Department of Mineral Resources of deleting public records. That’s a serious accusation. Destroying or otherwise inhibiting the public’s access to public records is a crime, one possibly as serious as a felony depending on the circumstances. But as I…
Paul Sorum: I Will Win
Early in my career, my wife and I attended a church in California with a notable American who famously said, “Government is not the solution to our problem. Government is the problem.” Meeting Reagan and his wife many Sundays after church inspired my interest in conservative ideas. Much later in life, Reagan and his ideas…
Accusations Aimed At North Dakota Oil Regulators Have The Stink Of Partisan Politics
Here’s some advice for this alleged whistle blower at the Department of Mineral Resources who is making accusations about destroyed records pertaining to oil transportation. You may want to consider who you’re working with. Because given the cast of characters involved so far, this is starting to look like yet another election year political stunt from…
In Questionnaire Stenehjem Flip Flops On Gay Marriage While Burgum Is Incoherent On Abortion
The North Dakota Family Alliance is one of the largest and most well-known socially conservative groups in North Dakota. Recently they sent out a questionnaire to the Republican gubernatorial candidates – Doug Burgum, Wayne Stenehjem, and Paul Sorum – asking them about certain issues of interest to the group. Like abortion, gay marriage, and religious…
Doug Burgum Stuck In The Uncanny Valley
The uncanny valley is an idea in the field of robotics related to how humans react to robots which look like them. Humans tend to like robots that don’t look at all like humans, or that look indistinguishable from humans, but present an “uncanny valley” of negative feelings toward robots which look almost-but-not-quite human. Back in…
Paul Sorum: Prairie Public Is Trying To Keep Me Out Of Gubernatorial Debate
Prairie Public Broadcasting is trying to silence the voice of the unborn and traditional marriage. As the only pro-life gubernatorial candidate who also supports traditional marriage running in the Republican Primary, I am used to a certain amount of hostility thrown my direction. This past week I learned that Prairie Public Broadcasting (BBP) was hosting…
Where North Dakota's Gubernatorial Candidates Stand On The Transgender Bathroom Issue
States grappling with how to accommodate trans-gendered citizens when it comes to publicly accessible restrooms has been much in the news recently. In fact, laws passed in some states have prompted widespread protests and boycotts from celebrities and corporate America. Here in North Dakota we have four people running to be the next governor. Many…