(Bismarck, ND) – As Governor Doug Burgum heads into his final year as Governor of the State of North Dakota, he took time Monday afternoon to discuss his term and the reasons behind his decision to not seek reelection. The decision came Monday morning.

“It was a very difficult decision for us, a heartfelt decision, to not seek a third term,” Burgum said in his opening comments. “Part of it is family.”

He has three children.

Burgum said the next year will be work as normal for the Burgum administration.

“Our cabinet team and our governor’s office team is planning a full and complete schedule for this year,” he said. “We intend to run through the tape hard, as I have done through everything in my life.”

Burgum said there have been many successes in his administration – along with some difficulties. One thing he didn’t get finished in his term was income tax relief.

“I strongly believe that the income tax is something that the state can do that helps us attract workforce, and now there’s close to 10 other states that are at zero income tax, and we’re competing with them for workers,” he said.

While he was quick to dismiss talking about his legacy, Burgum said he believes there will be at least one things citizens remember about his time as Governor.

“People are going to understand that we were driven by data, not by ideology,” he said.