Bismarck Tribune Publisher Brian Kroshus Expected To Seek NDGOP Nomination For State Auditor

Yesterday we got news that Bob Peterson – a Republican and North Dakota’s Auditor since 1996 – will not be seeking a sixth term in office in 2016.

This morning I can report that Brian Kroshus, currently the publisher of the Bismarck Tribune, is expected to seek the office. I’m told by sources close to Kroshus that he plans to seek the Republican endorsement for the office.

Peterson’s impending retirement has been something of an open secret in political circles for some time now. “He was waiting for Bob R. Peterson to say he wasn’t running again,” one source tells me.

That Kroshus is running was confirmed by a second source as well.

According to his LinkedIn page, Kroshus has been the publisher for the Tribune for more than a decade. He has worked for Lee Enterprises, the company which owns the Tribune, since 1997. Prior to that he worked for Forum Communications starting in 1987.

I’ve emailed Kroshus for comment, and I’ll update if/when I receive any word back.

Democrat party operatives, meanwhile, are saying they’ll be sending up candidates for every statewide office though state Senator George Sinner, the party’s U.S. House candidate in 2014, has indicated that they’re struggling to recruit candidates for some races including the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate competitions.

As I noted yesterday, Republicans have held the state Auditor’s office for more than 120 years. Not only has no Democrat held the office in the 21st century, but no Democrat held the office in the 20th century either.

Update: Kroshus confirms that he’s in. He sent this to me in an email:

Yes, I will be seeking the NDGOP nomination for North Dakota State Auditor.

I’m confident that my conservative principles and strong business background, will help me serve the taxpayers of our state well.

I will be making an official announcement in the next few weeks.