Governor bills North Dakota for lost fight over House seat

BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota taxpayers are on the hook for legal expenses in Gov. Doug Burgum’s failed attempt to fill a legislative seat won by a man who died before taking office.

Billing records obtained The Associated Press after an open records request say the Republican governor’s office is claiming more than $12,000 in attorney fees and court costs.

The North Dakota Supreme Court in a unanimous ruling last month said Burgum does not have the authority to appoint someone to the state House seat.

Burgum had backed David Andahl, the now-deceased winning candidate against an incumbent member of his own party known as a staunch protector of public money.