By Ballotpedia’s state executive team
BISMARCK, ND: Seven state executive positions are up for election in 2012: governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, auditor, superintendent of public instruction and one seat on the public service commission. In order to appear on the primary, a candidate must either be endorsed by an established political party and file a certificate of endorsement with the North Dakota Secretary of State or collect signatures equal to the 3% of the total votes cast for candidates for the same office in the last general election.[1] Because of this requirement, and because parties only endorse one candidate (or set of candidates in the case of governor/lieutenant governor), only one of tomorrow’s primary elections is contested: the non-partisan race for North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction.Republicans currently hold all six of the other offices.
Incumbents are running for election in the races for governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, auditor and insurance commissioner. The current superintendent of public instruction, Wayne Sanstead, who has held the office since 1985, and Tony Clark, the current chair of the North Dakota Public Service Commission, are not running for re-election.[2][3]
[edit]Governor/Lt. Governor
In North Dakota, the governor and lieutenant governor are elected on a single ticket.
Democratic candidates:
Republican candidates:
- Jack Dalrymple & Drew Wrigley Incumbents
Libertarian candidate:
[edit]Treasurer
- See also: North Dakota down ballot state executive elections, 2012
- Democratic candidates:
- Republican candidates:
- Kelly Schmidt Incumbent
[edit]Auditor
- See also: North Dakota down ballot state executive elections, 2012
- Democratic candidates:
- Republican candidates:
- Robert Peterson Incumbent
[edit]Insurance Commissioner
- See also: North Dakota down ballot state executive elections, 2012
- Democratic candidates:
- Republican candidates:
- Adam Hamm Incumbent
[edit]Superintendent of Public Instruction
The position of Superintendent is non-partisan – candidates run in the same ballot column and are not identified by party. However, GOP and Democratic convention delegates chose a candidate to support.
-
- Max Laird (D) (supported by Democratic convention)
- Tracy Potter (D) (Did not seek Democratic convention support)
- Kirsten Baesler (R) (supported by Republican convention)
- Keith Jacobson (R) (Did not seek Republican convention support)
[edit]Public Service Commissioner
- See also: North Dakota down ballot state executive elections, 2012
- Democratic candidates:
- Republican candidates:
- Libertarian candidate: