Prominent Democrat Holding Fundraiser For Doug Burgum

In his campaign advertising Burgum has branded himself as a conservative.

Later this month Doug Burgum will be attending a fundraiser in Wahpeton put on by a prominent Democrat. You can see a photo of the invite sent to me by a SAB reader below.

Perry Miller ran unsuccessfully for the state Senate in 2014 against District 25 Republican Larry Luick, who was the incumbent. Miller ran as a Democrat, and he’s also been a guest host for left wing talk radio host Joel Heitkamp.

So why would Miller support Burgum, who has been pouring a mountain of cash into campaign messaging branding himself as a conservative Republican, including ads dishing out conservative red meat about “term limits” and “runaway spending”?

Miller says part of the reason is that he’s been a long-time friend of Burgum’s. “Doug and I are fraternity brothers from NDSU,” he told me this morning. “I’ve known him for a long time. I know he’s a good guy.”

The other reason is that Miller isn’t buying the version of Burgum being promoted in the campaign ads.

“I think some of his ads are really bad,”Miller said. “I’m disappointed to see ads like that. I don’t think they represent Doug. I’ve known the guy for years.”

“Personally I think Doug should have run as an independent, but that’s just my opinion,” he added. “I just don’t like the tone of his ads attacking Wayne Stenehjem. He’s probably getting bad advice from some out of state political firm.”

[mks_pullquote align=”left” width=”300″ size=”24″ bg_color=”#ffffff” txt_color=”#000000″]”I think some of his ads are really bad,”Miller said. “I’m disappointed to see ads like that. I don’t think they represent Doug. I’ve known the guy for years.”[/mks_pullquote]

Miller said he’s tired of people using labels in politics, and even bristled when I asked him why a liberal Democrat like him would be supporting someone who describes themselves as a conservative Republican.

“Don’t put labels on me now,” he said. “I think you drop the conservative/liberal label, I’m getting tired of it.”

Miller said he’s looking forward to seeing a race between Burgum and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Marvin Nelson.

“I don’t care what he calls himself, he’s a solid candidate and a good guy,” Miller said of Burgum. “A race between him and Nelson, that would be a good race.”

Here is the flyer advertising the fundraiser at Miller’s home. Also hosting is Jay Schuler, President of Giant Snacks, a Wahpeton-based company known for their sunflower seeds among other products.