Kevin Cramer won’t run for North Dakota governor

Kevin Cramer won’t run for North Dakota governor

North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer said he won’t run to replace Gov. Doug Burgum after the incumbent governor announced Monday he wouldn’t pursue a third term.

“I’m not running for governor,” he told POLITICO in an interview, calling it a “logical question” following Burgum’s announcement.

Cramer (R-N.D.), who came to the Senate in 2018 and is up for reelection in 2024, said he wants to continue to accumulate seniority in a second term in office.

“In the second six-year term, you probably like quadruple your influence,” he said. “Seniority is probably more important.”

Burgum said he wouldn’t seek reelection to the highest office in Bismarck shortly after dropping his presidential bid and endorsing former President Donald Trump.

The state’s other GOP senator, John Hoeven, previously served for ten years as governor.