A lot of people have been asking me what seats in North Dakota will be on the ballot in 2008. There’s been a lot of confusion lately too, since in 2004, 4 of our 8 constitutional officers (except Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and our 3 PSCs), ran for two year terms (SOS Al Jaeger, Att. Gen. Wayne Stenehjem, Ag Comm Roger Johnson, and Tax Commissioner Cory Fong all sought re-election again in 2006). This was done so that those 8 offices could be split into two different elections. Instead of electing Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Auditor, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and commissioners (Ag, Tax, and Insurance) all in one year, 4 will be elected in even-numbered years.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Poolman is up for re-election. I am not sure whether or not Poolman will seek a third term (he was elected in 2000), but I hope that he will. Poolman has done a tremendous job in the Insurance Department, and I would like to see him continue his work.

Our Auditor for the past 10 years, Bob Peterson, is also up for re-election. Although I haven’t spoken with him, I am quite confident that Peterson will seek re-election. His father served for 24 years in the office, and I believe (and am glad) that he will do the same.

The only female Public Service Commissioner in our state’s history, Susan Wefald, is up for re-election in 2008. Wefald has been in the PSC since 2003, and serves alongside Kevin Cramer and Tony Clark. I see no reason why Wefald should not run for re-election, but since she recently celebrated her 60th birthday, she may have retirement on her list. We have yet to see what Wefald will do in 2008.

Lastly, and in this case least, we have 72-year-old Wayne Sanstead, who has served as the Superintendent of Public Instruction since 1985. It’s time for Ol’ Wayne to go; we don’t need a white-haired Democrat in this position, we need a Republican with a fresh approach to education. I also noticed the other day that Wayne claims to have received the most votes of any public official in North Dakota’s history. While true, one should note that he was unopposed in the race that he cites.

All five of these statewide races will be taking shape in the next two to three months. I will provide frequent updates on the progress on each one.