BISMARCK, N.D. – Former President Donald Trump He chose North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to head the Department of the Interior. Here are some things you need to know about the two-term Republican governor of a sparsely populated state.

Burgum’s background is in business

Burgum, 67, grew up in the small town of Arthur, North Dakota, population 328. He earned a bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

He went on to become a wealthy software executive. He managed Great Plains Software, which Microsoft acquired for $1.1 billion in 2001. Burgum remained vice president until 2007. He also led other companies in real estate development and venture capital.

Beats longtime GOP official to become governor

Burgum ran for governor in 2016, his first campaign for elected office. He announced the following message “Reinventing” government because the state was facing a huge revenue deficit.

In great sadness, Burgum was defeated North Dakota’s longest-serving attorney general in the Republican gubernatorial primary. He easily won his first term in the strongly Republican state with a population of about 784,000.

It’s easy He was re-elected in 2020.

Burgum takes the CEO’s approach to leadership

Burgum adopted a business-oriented bent as governor of North Dakota, where agriculture and oil are the main industries. he was pushed income tax deductions, reduced regulations and changes to livestock laws and higher education governance. Burgum also emphasized a “data-driven” approach to management and Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library priority interaction in the state and with tribal nations.

Burgum and his wife, Kathryn, publicly announced their recovery from addiction, and Burgum made it a priority as governor. Resources for addiction treatment.

Burgum is known as a policy expert who works long hours and is extremely curious.

has largely resisted delving into social issues such as anti-LGBTQ measures pushed by members of his own party and vetoed several such bills in 2021 And 2023. However also in 2023, While planning to run for president, signed Opponents said a slew of bills target transgender people. One of these gender confirmation ban medical treatments for transgender children, sports bans and transgender restrictions for transgender athletes in schools.

His own presidential bid was short-lived

Burgum I ran for president From June to December 2023. He campaigned on energy, economy and national security priorities, but dropping out of school After his offer did not resonate.

Two Republicans participated in the debate, including the first one in which he later participated. Injuring the Achilles tendon play basketball. He drew attention with himself. campaign offer In order to have enough individual donors to advance to the debate stage, $20 gift cards will be given to people who donate $1 to his campaign.

In January, before the Iowa caucuses, He endorsed Trump. same month itself refused the call Third term as governor.

Burgum managed crises well as governor

When he took office in December 2016, he grappled with the final months of a sometimes chaotic economic period. protests between Dakota Access oil pipeline. directed the state terrible droughts And paralyzing storms.

He was the face of North Dakota’s response to the coronavirus pandemic; many held dozens of press conferences every day in early 2020; Including an emotional meeting. Call about face masks. him and his wife publicly acknowledged COVID vaccines in 2021.

Last year, during the presidential campaign, Burgum called a special session for the Legislative Assembly to deal with budget confusion Weeks after the state Supreme Court Overruled an important billIt jeopardizes some state funding.