North Dakota RNC delegates talk state being in the national spotlight over the past year

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – North Dakota has been in the national spotlight for more than a year, partly due to Governor Doug Burgum running for President last year, speaking on national platforms in support of former President Trump and even being one of the top three contenders for Mr. Trump’s Vice President.

Although Governor Burgum was not chosen to be former President Trump’s running mate, that doesn’t mean he will not have a position in the Trump administration if Mr. Trump is successful in November or if North Dakota disappears from the national spotlight.

The Republican National Convention may be over. However, the North Dakota delegates had a lot to say about our state being part of the national conversation.

“All the electoral votes are important, and I think it was fun to get some headlines for North Dakota. I don’t know if people know North Dakota exists,” said Ben Koppelman, delegate.

Some delegates said that it was so important that other people around the United States saw what North Dakota offered.

“We have the largest energy, agriculture, we’ve got it all. Our flower mill, our own bank, we can be our own little country. It’s just great that people are actually identifying with North Dakota that we aren’t just a flyover state that we got it all,” said Mary Graner, delegate.

Even for a North Dakotan to be considered was special for some of the delegates.

“North Dakota has a storied history of getting it right and so it’s no surprise that President Trump would look to North Dakota for a potential Vice-Presidential running mate,” said John Trandem, delegate.

For North Dakota to even be in the national spotlight like it has been, is unprecedented.

“We’re not in the spotlight too often on the national stage, but when we are, it’s unique and you have to appreciate those moments,” said Matt Heilman, delegate.

Most of the delegates said it was an honor for the state to have this kind of recognition.

We caught up with Governor Burgum at the convention and he said when former President Trump called him on the phone to say he was not his pick, Mr. Trump said hello Mr. Secretary.

This now brings up speculation if Governor Burgum will be considered for a cabinet position like energy secretary.

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