Gov. Dalrymple Decides Against Re-Election

After nearly 16 years as governor and lieutenant governor of North Dakota, Jack Dalrymple says he will not seek re-election in 2016.

The 66-year-old Casselton native has been governor since December 2010 when John Hoeven resigned to join the United States Senate.

Dalrymple says he and the First Lady plan to spend more time with family.

One of the Democrats being talked about as a potential candidate for governor, Senator Heidi Heitkamp, issued a statement praising the Republican’s three decades of public service in the state.

Republican House Majority Leader Al Carlson of Fargo says Dalrymple has been an outstanding leader.

He says Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley is an “obvious” candidate and he believes Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem may also seek the job.