ARTHUR, ND — From growing up in a small town in northern Cass County, to the seat of the Capitol in Bismarck, to a possible bid to become the nation’s leader, Dakota Gov. of the North Doug Burgum announced his candidacy for the presidency. in less than two weeks.
It’s been hinted at for months, and we’ve learned that Burgum will make a major announcement in Fargo on June 7, likely ending rumors of a presidential run. That means the town of Arthur, North Dakota should consider changing the sign on the way to town.
It’s a tiny dot on the map of North Dakota, full of blue-collar workers. Burgum was one of them, helping the family’s grain elevator before landing a billion-dollar deal with Microsoft.
“He was a real entrepreneur, even when he was in high school. So I think he’s going to do a great job,” Burgum’s childhood neighbor Jim Williams said.
Now the small town of Arthur is steps away from being launched onto the national stage.
“I think it’s exciting and wonderful. Look at what he’s done over the years. He came in as an underdog in the governor’s race and he’s shown people that he really is a genuine person who really loves his country, the state of North Dakota. and small town life,” said Arthur resident Mary Beth Engelke.
Even with the political and business background Burgum has built, some in town aren’t sure whether the decision to run for higher office is the right one.
“I wish he wouldn’t, but I know why he is. To get his face out. I’m a Trump man and a Desantis man and there are already too many candidates. It would take votes away from them, but I think it would be good in the future,” said Bill Bartels, an Arthur mechanic.
Despite the heat of the competition, others in the small town of Arthur are pulling away.
“Why not? When you have someone like Doug, do it,” Williams said.
There will likely be a lot of speculation ahead of this June 7 announcement. Right now, some polls have Burgum at just 1% support for the Republican nomination.
The CNN-sponsored poll of nearly 500 voters has former President Donald Trump leading the poll with 53 percent. Florida Governor Ron Desantis is a distant second with 26% of the vote.
Minnesota State University Moorhead political science professor Barbara Headrick said Burgum’s popularity and name recognition will likely drop after his announcement in Fargo.
“To become a serious candidate for the presidency, you would need President Trump to drop out somehow, Desantis to drop out, Senator Scott, former governor Nikki Haley, then it’s kind of a wild fight,” he said.
Headrick believes this run will lead to a more realistic position for the presidency in the future.
“It would be nice, just to get the word out and start establishing and working from there, but right now, I would say Gov. Noem in South Dakota is a lot better known nationally than Burgum,” Headrick said .
Burgum’s announcement will be made at the Sanctuary Event’s Center, 670 4th Ave. N., in Fargo. It hasn’t been posted for a while yet.
