North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple, who shepherded the state through an oil boom that made it the No. 2 U.S. crude producer, said on Aug. 24 he will not seek re-election in 2016.
Dalrymple, who helped tighten regulatory standards across the state's Bakken oil formation, steps that some critics decried as too lenient, said he decided not to seek re-election in order to spend more time with his family.
"North Dakota has made incredible progress and I feel so blessed to have been part of leading our state," Dalrymple, 66, said in a statement.
The retirement sets up a mad dash to replace the popular governor, a Republican who first took office in 2010. At least four senior state politicians are rumored to be eyeing the governor's mansion, including Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, a Republican, and U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat.
Heitkamp's office declined to comment and Stenehjem could not immediately be reached for comment.(oilandgasinvestor)
"North Dakota has made incredible progress and I feel so blessed to have been part of leading our state," Dalrymple, 66, said in a statement.
The retirement sets up a mad dash to replace the popular governor, a Republican who first took office in 2010. At least four senior state politicians are rumored to be eyeing the governor's mansion, including Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, a Republican, and U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat.
Heitkamp's office declined to comment and Stenehjem could not immediately be reached for comment.(oilandgasinvestor)
