North Dakota down ballot state executive elections, 2014
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June 10, 2014 |
November 4, 2014 |
Secretary of State • Attorney General Down Ballot Agriculture Commissioner, Tax Commissioner, Public Service Commissioner |
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Four down ballot state executive positions were up for election in the state of North Dakota in 2014. The four down ballot offices up for election in 2014 were the North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture, the North Dakota Tax Commissioner and two seats on the North Dakota Public Service Commission. The general election took place on November 4, 2014.
Incumbents in all four races sought re-election in 2014. Doug Goehring (R) ran for another term as agriculture commissioner in a contentious race with Ryan Taylor (D). To learn more about the overlap between the state's oil boom and the 2014 agriculture commissioner race, check out the race background section. Ryan Rauschenberger (R) faced Jason Astrup (D) and Anthony Mangnall for another term as the state's tax commissioner. Voters were also tasked with choosing between Republican and Democratic candidates for two seats on the state's public service commission.
Doug Goehring, Ryan Rauschenberger, Brian Kalk and Julie Fedorchak won in the general election.
A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. A primary election is also sometimes used to choose convention delegates and party leaders; however, these selection processes can vary from state to state and party to party within a state. In North Dakota, precinct, district, and state party officials are selected at party caucuses and conventions, not at the state-administered primary election. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. North Dakota utilizes an open primary system, in which voters do not have to be members of a party to vote in that party's primary.[1][2]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
Agriculture Commissioner
Candidates
General election
Doug Goehring - Incumbent
Ryan Taylor[3]
Withdrew
Results
General election
| North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Doug Goehring Incumbent |
57% | 139,597 | |
| Democratic | Ryan Taylor | 42.9% | 105,094 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.2% | 377 | |
| Total Votes | 245,068 | |||
| Election results via North Dakota Secretary of State | ||||
Duties
Agriculture is one of North Dakota's leading industries, and the commissioner is responsible for ensuring the safety of people, animals, and plants across the state. The primary duties of the office are:
- protect livestock and other domestic animals from disease
- inspect farms and processing plants
- regulate pesticide production, use and disposal
- provide mediation services to farmers
- certify the state's commodities
- work with local jurisdictions on crop control[6]
Race background
 |
| Energy policy is a major issue in North Dakota. To learn more, see "Energy policy in North Dakota." |
The North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture also serves as a member on the state's three-member Industrial Commission. This commission, among many duties, regulates North Dakota's oil and gas industry.[7] The race for agriculture commissioner took on a heightened profile due to candidate disagreements over how to deal with the rush to extract oil and gas from the Bakken shale.
The incumbent, Republican Doug Goehring, expressed support for an accelerated rate of oil extraction, opposing legislation that might slow down the growth of drilling.[8] In a speech at the state Republican convention, he implied support for a balanced approach, saying that "the ties between agriculture and energy have never been more important that they are today," but the North Dakota Farm Bureau endorsed his primary challenger, Judy Estenson.[9] Estenson, who was running to reform the office following allegations of mismanagement and harassment, lost the state GOP endorsement and dropped out of the race.[9][10]
The Democratic challenger, Ryan Taylor, expressed concern about the consequences of the oil rush. He said, "You can’t unleash all that oil and then wonder why the train tracks are full of oil tankers and you can’t get grain on from the elevators in North Dakota and get that product to market."[11] Taylor advocated for greater weight on agricultural considerations; he was described as "the man who’s going to bring balance to the Industrial Commission."[11]
Campaign finance
Campaign finance disclosures filed by early October showed Goehring with $339,000 in contributions compared to $285,000 for Taylor.[12]
Issues background: Fracking
- See also: Fracking in North Dakota
Since oil was first struck in 1951 in North Dakota, over 13,000 wells have been drilled. The graph to the right shows how oil production has soared in the state, growing from 45.14 million barrels of oil in 2007, to 313.8 million barrels in 2013. This growth has brought both opportunities and challenges for the state. A study for the American Petroleum Institute estimated that 12 percent of state employment, and 13.1 percent of labor income in 2011, was due to the oil and gas industry.
The growth of the industry has also brought challenges, however, as large numbers of people have moved to the area seeking employment. This migration has increased the demand for housing, as well as police, fire and other government services. Additionally, concerns have been raised over the potential environmental impacts of such a large-scale boom. While fracking has been used for decades in the United States, there are concerns over the ability of regulators to enforce environmental protections consistently.[13][14][15][16]
Polls
| North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Doug Goehring (R) | Ryan Taylor (D) | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||||
| DFM Research (dead link) October 21, 2014 | 47% | 37% | 16% | +/-4.7 | 430 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. | |||||||||||||||||||
Campaign finance
Comprehensive donor information for this election has been collected by Follow the Money. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $895,849 during the election. This information was last updated on April 3, 2015.[17]
| Campaign Contribution Totals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Result | Contributions | |
| Doug Goehring |
North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner | $553,442 | ||
| Ryan Taylor |
North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner | $342,407 | ||
| Grand Total Raised | $895,849 | |||
Past elections
2010
| North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Doug Goehring Incumbent |
68% | 157,867 | |
| Democratic | Merle Boucher | 31.9% | 74,143 | |
| Total Votes | 232,226 | |||
2006
On November 7, 2006, Roger Johnson won re-election to the office of North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture. He defeated Doug Goehring (R) in the general election.
| North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture, 2006 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Roger Johnson Incumbent |
55.8% | 119,812 | |
| Republican | Doug Goehring | 44.2% | 94,736 | |
| Total Votes | 214,548 | |||
| Election results via North Dakota Secretary of State. | ||||
Tax Commissioner
Candidates
General election
Ryan Rauschenberger - Incumbent
Jason Astrup[18]
Anthony Mangnall[18]
Results
General election
| North Dakota Tax Commissioner, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Ryan Rauschenberger Incumbent |
56.8% | 135,329 | |
| Democratic | Jason Astrup | 36.7% | 87,516 | |
| Libertarian | Anthony Mangnall | 6.4% | 15,238 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.1% | 344 | |
| Total Votes | 238,427 | |||
| Election results via North Dakota Secretary of State | ||||
Duties
The main responsibility of the tax commissioner is to collect tax revenue that is required by North Dakota law through the administration of said laws. The specific powers and duties of the commissioner are outlined in Chapter57-01-02 of the North Dakota Century Code.
Campaign finance
Comprehensive donor information for this election has been collected by Follow the Money. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $282,906 during the election. This information was last updated on April 3, 2015.[19]
| Campaign Contribution Totals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Result | Contributions | |
| Ryan Rauschenberger |
North Dakota Tax Commissioner | $237,565 | ||
| Jason Astrup |
North Dakota Tax Commissioner | $45,341 | ||
| Anthony Mangnall |
North Dakota Tax Commissioner | $0 | ||
| Grand Total Raised | $282,906 | |||
Past elections
2010
| North Dakota Tax Commissioner, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Cory Fong Incumbent |
67.4% | 156,520 | |
| Democratic | Cynthia Kaldor | 29.2% | 67,856 | |
| Libertarian | Richard Flattum-Riemers | 3.3% | 7,716 | |
| Write-In | Various | 0.1% | 160 | |
| Total Votes | 232,252 | |||
| Election results via North Dakota Secretary of State | ||||
2006
| North Dakota Tax Commissioner, 2006 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Cory Fong Incumbent |
53.1% | 112,154 | |
| Democratic | Brent Edison | 46.9% | 99,243 | |
| Total Votes | 211,397 | |||
| Election results via North Dakota Secretary of State | ||||
Public Service Commissioner (Two seats)
There were two commission elections in North Dakota on November 4, 2014. There was a regularly scheduled election for one seat, while a second seat was a special election for the remainder of an unexpired term. Julie Fedorchak served on the commission after replacing Kevin Cramer in January 2013, and sought election to the remaining two years of Cramer's term.
Candidates
Regular election
Brian Kalk - Incumbent
Todd Reisenauer[20]
Special election
Julie Fedorchak - Incumbent
Tyler Axness[20]
Results
| North Dakota Public Service Commissioner, General election, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Brian Kalk Incumbent |
64.8% | 154,409 | |
| Democratic | Todd Reisenauer | 35.1% | 83,557 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.2% | 370 | |
| Total Votes | 238,336 | |||
| Election results via North Dakota Secretary of State | ||||
| North Dakota Public Service Commissioner, Special election, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Julie Fedorchak Incumbent |
66% | 156,596 | |
| Democratic | Tyler Axness | 33.8% | 80,319 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.2% | 401 | |
| Total Votes | 237,316 | |||
| Election results via North Dakota Secretary of State | ||||
Duties
The commission is responsible for regulating public utilities. The board is granted jurisdiction over railroads, telecommunications companies, pipelines, electric, and heating companies; grain elevators and warehouses; weights and measures; public auctioneers and auction clerks; the siting of energy plants and transmission facilities; reclamation of mined lands; and all other public utilities working within the state.[21] The specific duties of the commissioners are outlined in Chapter49-01 of the North Dakota Century Code:
The commission does NOT have jurisdiction over:
- rural electric cooperatives
- most small telephone companies
- cable television
Campaign finance
Comprehensive donor information for this election has been collected by Follow the Money. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $461,558 during the election. This information was last updated on April 3, 2015.[22]
| Campaign Contribution Totals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Result | Contributions | |
| Julie Fedorchak |
North Dakota Public Service Commissioner | $200,255 | ||
| Brian Kalk |
North Dakota Public Service Commissioner | $190,901 | ||
| Tyler Axness |
North Dakota Public Service Commissioner | $41,858 | ||
| Todd Reisenauer |
North Dakota Public Service Commissioner | $28,544 | ||
| Grand Total Raised | $461,558 | |||
Past elections
2012
| North Dakota Public Service Commission General Election, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Randy Christmann |
54.6% | 164,591 | |
| Democratic | Brad Crabtree | 41.1% | 123,978 | |
| Libertarian | Joshua Voytek | 4.3% | 13,098 | |
| Total Votes | 301,667 | |||
| Election results via North Dakota Secretary of State | ||||
2010
On November 2, 2010, Kevin Cramer won election to the office of North Dakota Public Service Commission. He defeated Brad Crabtree (D) and Joshua Voytek (L) in the general election.
| North Dakota Public Service Commission, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Kevin Cramer Incumbent |
61.5% | 142,644 | |
| Democratic | Brad Crabtree | 34.9% | 81,011 | |
| Libertarian | Joshua Voytek | 3.6% | 8,315 | |
| Write-In | Various | 0.1% | 144 | |
| Total Votes | 232,114 | |||
| Election results via North Dakota Secretary of State. | ||||
2008
| North Dakota Public Service Commission, 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Brian Kalk |
53.2% | 156,221 | |
| Democratic | Cheryl Bergian | 46.8% | 137,682 | |
| Total Votes | 293,903 | |||
| Election results via North Dakota Secretary of State | ||||
Key deadlines
| Deadline | Event |
|---|---|
| April 7, 2014 | Primary filing deadline[23] |
| June 10, 2014 | Primary election |
| September 2, 2014 | General election filing deadline for independent candidates |
| November 4, 2014 | General election |
| January 1, 2015 | Official swearing-in of state executive officials elected in November |
| January 6, 2015 | Ceremonial swearing-in of state executive officials elected in November |
Recent news
Agriculture Commissioner
This section links to a Google news search for the term "North + Dakota + Agriculture + Commissioner + election"
Public Service Commission
This section links to a Google news search for the term "North + Dakota + Public + Service + Commissioner + election"
Tax Commissioner
This section links to a Google news search for the term "North + Dakota + Tax + Commissioner + election"
See also
- North Dakota state executive official elections, 2014
- North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture
- North Dakota Tax Commissioner
- North Dakota Public Service Commission
External links
- Norht Dakota Department of Agriculture
- North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner
- North Dakota Public Service Commission
Footnotes
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed August 12, 2024
- ↑ Justia, "2023 North Dakota Century Code, CHAPTER 16.1-11 NOMINATIONS FOR OFFICE - PRIMARY ELECTION," accessed August 12, 2024
- ↑ Farm and Ranch Guide, "Ryan Taylor outlines ag priorities," March 17, 2014
- ↑ Judy Estenson for ND Agriculture Commissioner, "Bio," March 17, 2014
- ↑ Ag Week, "ND ag commissioner Goehring survives GOP endorsement challenge," April 8, 2014
- ↑ Junto Society.com, "North Dakota agriculture commissioner," accessed July 13, 2011
- ↑ North Dakota Industrial Commission, "About," April 10, 2014
- ↑ Ag Week, "ND ‘extraordinary places’ policy approved, but comment process will apply only to public land," April 10, 2014
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Bismarck Tribune, "N.D. GOP endorses incumbent for ag post," April 10, 2014 (dead link)
- ↑ Watchdog.org, "Future of ND oil boom could hinge on ag commission race," April 10, 2014
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Taylor for North Dakota, "Jamestown Sun: Taylor calls for balance with oil in bid," April 10, 2014
- ↑ NewsOK, "ND agriculture commissioner contest more about oil," October 12, 2014
- ↑ North Dakota Energy Forum, "North Dakota Oil and Gas History," accessed July 25, 2014
- ↑ North Dakota Oil and Gas Division, "North Dakota Annual Oil Production," accessed October 15, 2014
- ↑ PricewaterhouseCooper LLP, "Economic Impacts of the Oil and Natural Gas Industry on the US Economy 2011," July 2013
- ↑ Stanford Law School Student Journals, "Local Government Fracking Regulations: A Colorado Case Study," January 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Overview of North Dakota 2014 elections," accessed April 7, 2015
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Bismark Tribune, "Candidates announce for state tax commissioner's race," February 11, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Overview of North Dakota 2014 elections," accessed April 7, 2015
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 North Dakota Secretary of State, "2014 Primary Election Contest/Candidate List," April 9, 2014
- ↑ North Dakota Legislation, "Article 69-01: General administration," accessed July 13, 2011
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Overview of North Dakota 2014 elections," accessed April 7, 2015
- ↑ North Dakota Secretary of State, "North Dakota Election Calendar," January 2, 2014
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