Why Burgum is Making a Bid for the American Presidency
A native of North Dakota is making a run for the highest office in the nation’s executive branch—North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is running for President.
No matter your political leaning, our Governor’s bid for the presidency, which was announced Wednesday, June 7 at the Sanctuary Events Center in Fargo, is a monumental moment for the state of North Dakota and its entrepreneurs. The fact that one of our own is in the running is proof that ANYTHING can be accomplished in this state.
But why run now? What impact is he trying to make? We had a chance to ask him a few of those questions ourselves in a brief interview.
Q&A with Doug Burgum
Q: Why do you want to run for President of the United States? Why now? Why had you not thrown your hat in the ring previously?
A: The presidency offers an opportunity to unlock the best of America and improve every American life. To do that, we need new leadership that prioritizes the economy, energy, and national security. That’s exactly what I’ll do as President.
The economy needs to be our main focus. A strong American economy propels everything else. We need to get inflation under control, cut taxes, lower gas prices, reduce the cost of living, and help citizens realize their fullest potential.
Energy also must be a top priority. We need to stop buying energy from our enemies and start selling energy to our friends and allies. America produces energy cleaner and safer than anywhere else in the world. When we become truly energy independent, we stabilize the globe and restore America as the leader of the free world.
We need to recognize the real threats to America and strengthen national security. Our neighbors down the street aren’t our enemies. Our enemies are countries that want to see our way of life destroyed. We should be fighting to unite the country against our common enemies like China and Putin.
If we get the economy, energy, and national security right, we will unlock the best of America, empower our citizens, and improve every American life.
Q: What do you think separates you from the rest of the candidates running for office?
As a governor from a small town in the heartland and a business leader who has created thousands of jobs, my priorities are laser-focused on the economy, energy, and national security
Q: How has your time growing up, working, and serving in North Dakota prepared you to take on this challenge?
A: Growing up in Arthur taught me the small-town values that guided me through an ‘only in America’ story. I “bet the farm” to grow a small startup into a billion-dollar software company with over 140,000 customers in 132 different countries. The values I learned in Arthur and from building a world-class business with team members from 220 small towns across North Dakota are the same ones that are rooted in our campaign and driving my run for President.
Similarly, as governor, we’ve centered our administration around a shared purpose: to empower people, improve lives, and inspire success. In North Dakota, we’ve made great strides in everything from addiction recovery and cutting red tape, to diversifying and strengthening the economy. We can do the same for America, unlocking the best of our country and improving every American life.
Did You Know?
Governor Doug Burgum is from Arthur, ND, a town of just over 300 people located about 30 minutes from Fargo.
Small-Town Grit
While growing up, Burgum shined shoes, worked at a grain elevator, and worked as a chimney sweep
NDSU Pride
After graduating High School, Burgum got his undergraduate degree at North Dakota State University, where he acquired the skills and knowledge necessary to enroll in one of the best business schools in the country, Stanford University, where he would eventually receive an MBA.
Q: What will be the central focus of your platform?
A: The economy, energy, and national security. We need a President who can strengthen the economy, shrink government, and lower costs for American families. We need a President who understands that we should be selling energy to our allies, not buying it from our enemies. We need a President who will rebuild our military to win the Cold War with China.
Q: Energy and agriculture are huge components of the North Dakota economy. Do you think your understanding of these sectors will aid you if elected?
A: Energy and agriculture aren’t just vital to North Dakota’s economy; these sectors are the lifeblood of America’s economic and national security interests. Energy security is national security. Food security is national security.
In shoring up our domestic food supply and energy sources, we not only will create a more prosperous America, but we also will become a beacon of strength to our allies as well as our enemies. As North Dakotans, we are blessed to live in one of the top energy and agriculture-producing states in the country, and we understand how important agriculture and energy are to our standing in the world.
