Is Bob Christman North Dakota’s Temporary Public Service Commissioner?
Earlier today the Ag Department sent out a press release noting that Deputy Ag Commissioner (and NDGOP District Chairman) Bob Christman was taking a 6 month leave of absence. Since then my email inbox has been full of speculation.
Initially it was speculated that Christman is joining one of the statewide campaigns, possibly Governor Jack Dalrymple’s campaign or maybe Rep. Rick Berg’s campaign for the Senate. But another emailer asks if Christman isn’t Governor Dalrymple’s choice to finish Public Service Commissioner Tony Clark’s term in office.
Clark will be resigning his position at the PSC at the moment he’s sworn in to his federal appointment to FERC, this Friday June 15th. At that point, Governor Dalrymple would appoint a replacement.
If it is Bob Christman, it would be a neat trick as the endorsed Republican candidate running to be Clark’s permanent replacement at the PSC has the same last name: Randy Christmann.
Name recognition is important in elections, though who knows if that was really a determining factor.
Update: A reader emails:
Isn’t it interesting that Measure 1 is on this ballot, today? Assuming it passes, it would become effective in 30 days. See N.D.Const. Art. III, Sec. 8. Couldn’t the Governor could appoint Senator Randy Christmann to the very seat he is seeking on July 12?
As for Bob Christmann, I hope he is going to run the Berg campaign. It needs some help.
Good points, all.
Tags: bob christmann, North Dakota News, Public Service Commission, randy christmann, tony clark
