As Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem throws his hat into the ring for the Republican nomination for Governor, the already-annoucned candidate for the nomination says he will be able to show the differences between himself and Stenehjem.
Rep. Rick Becker (R-Bismarck) says he's the "most conservative" of the candidates running for Governor. He says one difference is private sector experience.
"I'm a private business, private sector type person," said Becker. "I have significant experience over the last 18 years, since coming back to Bismarck, of developing businesses. When you're in private business, you have to look at budgets, forecasts, all of the issues involved in making a business run efficiently. And that's what the state needs to do right now -- run efficiently without wasting money."
Becker says one issue that will likely come up is Stenehjem's “extraordinary places” initiative – designed to limit oil exploration in certain areas.
"Many of us had significant concerns that it was a clear infringement on property rights," Becker said. "Property rights is something I hold very dear."
Becker says he wants to take the state in a different direction.
"One could argue that someone who has been in government for many, many years is someone who's been somewhat insulated from what it's like in the real world," Becker said. "And that means how to make real world decisions with one's own money."
Becker says he will be working hard between now and the state GOP convention, lining up delegates and meeting with people.
