Gov. Jack Dalrymple has proven over the last two years that he was more than ready to handle the job after 10 years as John Hoeven's lieutenant governor. Dalrymple has earned a full four-year term as governor.
Dalrymple has been a highly visible and knowledgeable presence in western North Dakota during his two-year term as leader of the state, regularly visiting the oil patch counties and cities. He's also spent considerable time in Minot and the surrounding cities before, during and after the Souris River flood of 2011. He has championed the need for permanent flood control as well as helped navigate the sometimes lengthy path to securing state and federal funding for flood recovery efforts. The low-key Dalrymple has been a friend to Minot and other flood-damaged communities. His extensive experience as a state legislator and his 10 years as lieutenant governor has served Dalrymple well as North Dakota has faced both adversity and booming growth and success. There remains much work for Dalrymple to do, obviously, as Minot and other cities continue to recover from devastating flooding and the ongoing oil boom continues to bring with it enormous challenges. But we have every reason to believe that Dalrymple and his staff will continue to meet the challenge and guide North Dakota through hard work and common sense should he be elected on Nov. 6.
Dalrymple and opponent Ryan Taylor of Towner should be commended for running a campaign long on substance and short on name-calling and empty attack ads. Voters should appreciate that both men are accessible, approachable down-to-earth North Dakotans who truly have the state's best interests at heart. Taylor has been a respected and efficient member of the N.D. Legislature, and has shown both down-home folksiness and considerable knowledge during a well-run campaign. But he hasn't offered compelling reasons to replace Dalrymple.
The Minot Daily?News endorses Jack Dalrymple for governor of North Dakota.