ND Dem. gubernatorial candidate Marvin Nelson frustrated with Burgum for turning down debates

Democratic candidate for governor Marvin Nelson says he's frustrated with Republican candidate Doug Burgum for turning down invitations to three debates.

Burgum's spokesperson said he had prior plans the day that NBC North Dakota News tried to schedule a debate.

Nelson says Burgum also declined invitations to a Northwest Landowners meeting and an economic development conference in Bowman, which his lieutenant governor candidate Brent Sanford attended.

"Well all through the primary he complained because Wayne Stenehjem wouldn't show up for these debates and meetings and everything and then the instant he won, he turned into Wayne Stenehjem. I mean, yeah, I'd have to use the word hypocritical," said Nelson.

A spokesperson for Burgum said in an email:

"Doug looks forward to debates in the fall and is spending his time meeting with and listening to the concerns of North Dakotans throughout the state. The best leaders spend more time listening than they do talking."