North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum running for U.S. President

FARGO, N.D. (KFYR) - North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is running for President of the United States. And a lot of people are fired up about that.

What does it take to be president? Lincoln was born in a log cabin. Washington chopped down a cherry tree. Donald Trump had a reality TV show, JFK was part of a political dynasty. Governor Doug Burgum is a billionaire from a town of 300. Today, he made his case for the White House right here in Fargo for the very first time.

It was all smiles at the Sanctuary Events Center in Fargo today.

“Today, I’m officially announcing I’m running for the President of the United States of America,” said Governor Doug Burgum, R-North Dakota.

And that’s got people pumped.

“He’s creative, he’s innovative, he’s an exciting person and I think he’d be a great president,” said John Galegher, a farmer from Thompson, ND.

“He’s done amazing things for North Dakota, we’re hoping he can carry that through to the United States of America,” said Billie Breker, from Oxbow, ND.

As for what he’s running on? Three big points:

“If you believe that the economy, energy, and national security are critical to our nation’s future, remember, that’s why I’m running for president,” said Burgum.

Politics experts say, he’s got an uphill battle.

“He’s really going to have to be spending a lot of time advertising getting his name out there, but also, then, presenting, here’s how I’m different from the other people,” said Mark Springer, professor of politics at the University of Mary.

Still, most past and present Republican statewide elected officials have expressed their support for North Dakota’s first major party presidential candidate.

“He has always had this incredible ability to meet and exceed the expectations of everyone else,” said Senator Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota.

“We’re looking at record inflation, record energy costs, if he can talk about bringing down those bills in every consumer’s household around the country, yeah I think that message can resonate,” said Representative Kelly Armstrong, R-North Dakota.

Outside of the Sanctuary event center... enthusiasm wasn’t quite so high. A spokesman for the Trump-backing super PAC MAGA said “Doug Burgum will waste millions of dollars only to lose to President Donald Trump in Iowa.”

The North Dakota Democrats said, “the last thing the country needs is another bored billionaire whose need for attention is greater than his commitment to the American people.”

Still, those inside say, ‘Burgum for President.’

“Would you vote for him?” asked reporter Joel Crane.

“Yes, I would,” said Billie Breker, from Oxbow, ND.

“I would definitely vote for Doug Burgum,” said Galegher

“I would definitely vote for him in 2028,” said Cayden Weckerly, from Casselton, ND.

Burgum’s next task is to get on the debate stage at the first Republican debate August 23.

Governor Burgum heads to Iowa this week to kick off his campaign, and Your News Leader will be right there to follow him around as he tries to drum up some name recognition.

Previous Coverage:

Copyright 2023 KFYR. All rights reserved.