BISMARCK — In his bid for the White House, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has enlisted a number of political strategists who have worked on campaigns for well-known Republicans, including the presidential bids of George W. Bush and John McCain.
Burgum press secretary Lance Trover shared with The Forum this week a list of political consultants and strategists who will work on the governor’s presidential campaign.
The list includes a medical technology executive, a titan of political advertising and other campaign experts.
“The governor. Burgum knows how important it is to build great teams, and this presidential campaign has the knowledge and experience to help him win,” said Trover.
Burgum launched his campaign last week in Fargo, joining a growing field of Republican candidates. He will try to unseat President Joe Biden, a Democrat from Pennsylvania. But first, he has to get past GOP favorites like former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Strategic Perception’s Fred Davis III will work on Burgum’s media campaign, Trover said. The political consultant has worked for several presidential candidates, including George W. Bush, McCain and John Kasich.
“Fred is one of the most respected and creative ad makers in Republican campaigns, and we’re thrilled to have him on the team to help tell the governor’s personal story and focus on the economy, the energy and national security,” Trover said.
Davis has produced ads that focus on the candidates’ values. For example, a 2004 Bush presidential announcement focused on strengthening the US and rebuilding the economy after the 9/11 attacks and the War on Terror.
“It’s a moment of unwavering strength, leaders we meet in times that challenge the world,” the ad said.
Davis is also known for controversial ads attacking opponents. McCain’s 2008 presidential ads called then-Democratic candidate Barack Obama a celebrity who wasn’t ready to lead and wanted to raise taxes. Some ads featured images of then-U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan, a Democrat from North Dakota.
“Old ideas disguised as change,” said one woman as the ad showed Dorgan.
The ads called Dorgan and other Democrats liberal allies of Obama.
Another announcement that Davis became known for promoting Carly Fiorina when she ran for the California United States Senate in 2010. Prior to her 2016 presidential bid, Fiorina challenged Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer for seat of Boxer, but first faced former Rep. Tom Campbell in the GOP. primary
The ad called Campbell a “fiscal conservative in name only (FCINO)” who raised and created taxes.
“Tom Campbell: Is that what he tells us, or is that what he’s become over the years: an FCINO… a wolf in sheep’s clothing?” the ad asks as it shows a man dressed as a sheep with glowing red eyes.
As a result, the ad became known as the “demon sheep” ad.
Fiorina beat Campbell but ultimately lost to Boxer.
Other notable Republican campaigns that Davis’ firm is known for include Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sonny Perdue, Chuck Grassely, Ryan Zine and Steve King.
Burgum has selected Miles White, who was the CEO of Chicago-based Abbott Laboratories for 38 years, according to his campaign chairman, Trover. White retired in 2021 from the global healthcare company known for producing medical devices, pharmaceuticals and nutritional products.
Some of these products include Pedialyte, Ensure and FreeStyle, which are used by those diagnosed with diabetes to measure glucose levels.
Mike Zolnierowicz, who was chief of staff to former Illinois Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, has been hired as Burgum’s campaign manager, Trover said.
Zolnierowicz was also deputy chief of staff to former U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., and senior adviser to U.S. Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif., Trover said. Zolnierowicz has worked on campaigns for Rauner and Kirk.
Dawson Schefter will be the campaign’s deputy campaign manager, Trover said. Schefter has worked as a senior advisor to Governor Burgum, as well as for the North Dakota GOP.
Twin heads of communication
Chris and Mike Schrimpf have been named Burgum Communications Directors.
The twin brothers held similar positions for the Republican Governors Association. They worked on Ohio Governor John Kasich’s presidential campaign before launching their own Illinois-based firm, Red Tack Strategy.
Chris Schrimpf worked for former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, and his brother was Rauner’s top communicator, according to news reports.
Both have worked with Burgum on his political campaigns since 2016, Trover said.
Trover previously served as communications director for Kirk and Rauner in Illinois. He was also employed by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, he said. In addition, Trover has worked on elections in California, including Garcia and Michelle Steel, one of the first North Korean women to be elected to the US House of Representatives.
Chip Englander will serve as Burgum’s surveyor. The political consultant has polled for the Republican Governors Association, the Republican National Congressional Committee and the Republican National Senate Committee.
Englander also served as Rand Paul’s presidential campaign manager and senior adviser to Marco Rubio’s presidential bid.
“He’s been Doug’s pollster since 2016,” Trover said of Englander.
Burgum has hired Eric Woolson as Iowa State Director, Trover said. Woolson managed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s presidential campaign and was communications director for former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, as well as Iowa communications director for George W. Bush.
Woolson is president and CEO of the campaign firm Concept Works, which has advertised for presidential candidates Tim Pawlenty, Michele Bachmann and Walker, according to its website.
Paul Kilgore of Athens, Georgia, is listed in Federal Election Commission reports as treasurer for Doug Burgum for America, which is raising money for Burgum’s campaign.
