Gov. Doug Burgum has named the state’s chief operating officer, Tammy Miller, as the new Lieutenant Governor.
Miller replaces Brent Sanford, who is resigning effective Jan. 2nd.
Miller has been COO for three years. Prior to that, she was CEO and board chair at Fargo-based Border States Electric. She says in her three years in the Burgum Administration, she gained – as she put it – and “incredible amount of knowledge” about the operations of state government.
"And I feel like I have a good grasp on how we can continue to improve state government, to better serve the citizens of North Dakota," Miller told Capitol reporters. "And I'm really honored and excited to bring that experience, and to continue that work, now from the Lieutenant Governor's office."
Burgum said Miller is a good fit for the job. He says a small team in his office compiled a list of nearly 100 names to replace Sanford.
"Turned out that the best answer that we had for a smooth transition was right in our office, with someone with both government and private sector experience, that knew how to lead, and was able to step in and do the work immediately," Burgum said.
One of Miller’s jobs as the Lieutenant Governor is to preside over the state Senate. And that will be one of her first official duties, when she starts her new position.
Sanford has been lieutenant governor since Dec. 15th, 2016, after he and Burgum were elected. They were re-elected to a second four year term in 2020.
In his resignation letter, Sanford said he wants to return to the private sector, and focus on his family and career.
Sanford is a certified public accountant. He had earlier served as the mayor of Watford City – and he owned an auto dealership there.