Governor Burgum Teases Potential Presidential Bid

North Dakota's Governor Doug Burgum released a teaser video ahead of a Wednesday's announcement where he is expected to announce his campaign for President.

Many major media outlets on both ends of the political spectrum already have Burgum listed among the candidates that will challenge the two GOP favorites in former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Burgum will be listed in the second tier of the crowded race for Republican nominee, along with Nikki Hayley, Chris Christi, and Mike Pence.

The New York Times, in their election coverage, noted that:

"North Dakota’s governor, who is little-known outside his home state, made a large fortune in computer software, and is in a position to self-fund his longer-than-long-shot campaign. He has said he believes that 60 percent of American voters constitute a 'silent majority' that feels ignored by intense ideological debates that dominate politics. 'There’s definitely a yearning for some alternatives right now,’ Burgum told the Inforum.

Energy policy is central to his message: As governor, Burgum set a goal of reaching carbon neutrality in North Dakota by 2030. He aimed to do so not by diminishing dependence on fossil fuels, a key part of the state’s economy, but by accelerating technology to capture carbon emissions in the ground.

The governor is low-key and notably not aligned with Trump-style populism. That means that, in addition to being little known, he will be paddling against the current in today’s Republican rapids."

Burgum will likely appeal to the populace with his own business savvy, economic achievements in North Dakota, and his moderate and more traditional brand of conservatism.

The latter of which has long caused Burgum to be labled as a Republican In Name Only (RINO) even amongst more conservatives sections of his home state.

Who is Doug Burgum? 

Though people may know Burgum as the current governor who amassed a private fortune in the technology sector

Doug Burgum is an American businessman and politician who served as the 33rd Governor of North Dakota. Born on August 1, 1956, in Arthur, North Dakota, Burgum had a successful career in the technology industry before entering politics.

Burgum co-founded Great Plains Software, a Fargo-based business software company, in 1983. The company grew rapidly and became a leading provider of accounting and management software. In 2001, Microsoft acquired Great Plains Software, and Burgum continued to lead the newly formed Microsoft Business Solutions division.

After leaving Microsoft in 2007, Burgum turned his attention to public service. In 2016, he ran for the position of Governor of North Dakota as a Republican candidate. His campaign focused on issues such as economic diversification, education reform, and technology-driven innovation. Burgum won the election and took office as governor on December 15, 2016.

During his tenure as governor, Burgum pursued various initiatives to promote economic growth and innovation in North Dakota. He emphasized the importance of diversifying the state's economy beyond its reliance on the energy sector, encouraging entrepreneurship and technology-driven industries, and attempting to make the state carbon neutral.

What's next?

Burgum is set to throw his hat in to the ring on Wednesday, June 7th.  Should the event be live-streamed, we will have it on Facebook and on the radio.

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