Randy Christmann

Two candidates are running for the one open seat on the three-person North Dakota Public Service Commission on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Currently, all three PSC members are Republicans. Commissioner Randy Christmann, who was first elected to the PSC in 2012, is running again.

Tracey Wilkie of Fargo, an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa, is the Democratic-NPL candidate. She is a human rights advocate and former stewart for AFSCME Local 88-6 Union. She has a background in criminal justice and social work.

Wilkie attended United Tribes Technical College, receiving a police science certificate and also studied at Minot State University.

Christmann, a Hazen native, served in the North Dakota Army National Guard and graduated from North Dakota State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He was elected to the North Dakota Senate in 1994, serving as assistant majority leader from 2001-2012. Christmann has served on the Lignite Research Council for a number of years. He served 13 years on the board of West River Telecommunications.

“An unbiased and fair regulatory body like the PSC is important to assure that people are protected against monopolies and that public interest work is done appropriately,” Christmann said. “In my time on the commission we have improved our already excellent coal and wind farm reclamation programs as well as our gas pipeline and railroad safety programs. We also make sure scales and fuel pumps are accurate.

“One top priority moving forward is maintaining and expanding North Dakota’s energy industry. The PSC’s role is siting generation facilities, power lines and pipelines in ways that minimize adverse impacts to others. The information gathering and public hearing process we use has been very successful,” he said. “Another priority is maintaining the reliability and low price of energy to North Dakota residences and businesses. We currently enjoy outstanding reliability and prices from utility companies under PSC regulation. Last year North Dakota had the lowest overall electric rates in the nation.”

Christmann said he would continue to fiercely defend oil, gas and coal industries if elected.

“They are the heart of North Dakota’s reliable energy and low prices,” he said.

Wilkie did not respond to an invitation to provide comment.