BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Republican Party Governor Doug Burgum Although it is not well known nationwide, Now the top choice Former President Donald Trump' Vice Presidential candidate.
The wealthy software entrepreneur leads North Dakota like a CEO. He has promoted business-oriented items such as: Income tax reduction He is also working on technology upgrades for the state government, from cybersecurity to the state website. He has not been vocal on social issues, despite a flurry of anti-LGBTQ+ bills from the Republican-led state legislature last year. But after vetoing some bills in 2021 and 2023, he has since signed most of them. Around the same time, he was preparing to run for president in 2024, but it fizzled out within months.
Here are some points about Burgum and his actions:
Burgum came from a rural town and became a wealthy businessman.
Burgum, 67, grew up in a small town in North Dakota. After college, he led Great Plains Software, which was acquired by Microsoft for $1.1 billion in 2001. Burgum served as a vice president at Microsoft until 2007. He later led other companies in real estate development and venture capital.
Burgum was known primarily as a software executive and businessman before he defeated the state's longtime attorney general in the Republican primary to win the governor's election in 2016. With the state facing a $1 billion revenue shortfall, Burgum ran on a platform of “government reform.”
His focus as governor was on economic issues, not social issues.
Burgum campaigned as a business leader in 2016 and has run state government with the same approach, campaigning to “treat taxpayers like customers” and bringing former Microsoft employees and private sector talent into his administration.
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he Promote income tax cuts, Strengthening cybersecurity, upgrading state websites, reducing state regulations, and reforming higher education governance and animal agriculture laws are planned. Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library It's one of his greatest efforts.
Burgum speaks at length Carbon capture, He speaks about energy policy and other topics he is interested in. He often boasts about North Dakota's underground “geologic treasure trove” for carbon storage and advocates for an “innovation over regulation” approach.
Those who have worked with him in the governor's office say he is very curious and works long hours.
Burgum's stance on LGBTQ+ issues has changed
Democratic and Republican lawmakers who have worked with Burgum said it was disappointing that he signed the anti-LGBTQ+ bill into law in 2023, and that he may have had the national stage in mind when he did so. The bidding has begun He plans to run for president in June 2023, about a month after the legislative session ends.
Burgum, 2021 The bill was rejected Banning transgender girls from girls' sports in public schools, effective as of early 2023. He rejected the bill He said it would turn teachers into the “pronoun police.”
But later in the 2023 session, as he prepared to run for president, Signed a series of bills restricting transgender people, Prohibition of sex-affirming medical treatment for children and Two sports banned It's similar to a bill he vetoed in 2021.
He also The book ban bill was signed But he vetoed the more far-reaching bill. invoice I followed LGBTQ+ literature.
Burgum also said: North Dakota Abortion Law Changes After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. State abortion bans Burgum, whose state is one of the strictest in the nation, has not been forthcoming on LGBTQ+ issues or abortion.
Burgum The presidential campaign ended In December 2023, having failed to gain support, he Not seeking a third term As governor.
