Stenehjem objects Dist. 8 Appointment
AG disputes governor’s selection of Washburn resident for House seat
BY RALPH MANCINI
EDITOR
Congratulatory messages for Washburn coal executive Wade Boeshans were soon put on hold shortly after his Nov. 4 appointment as a new member of the House of Representatives in District 8 issued by Gov. Doug Burgum.
Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem released a four-paragraph statement only hours later denouncing Burgum’s proclamation, deeming it “inaccurate” and “untimely.”
“The Governor has no authority to declare an election null and void, as alleged in his news release,” charged the state prosecutor in his communication. Stenehjem explained how he advised Secretary of State Al Jaeger in how to proceed in the event of recently deceased District 8 candidate David Andahl receiving enough votes to win his race.
Section 16.1-13-10 of the North Dakota Century Code, per Stenehjem, states that the task of filling vacancies in the legislative assembly falls in the hands of the legislative branch, not the governor’s.
In a subsequent phone interview, Jaeger maintained that the law in question was put into action 27 times in filling past vacancies.
Jaeger went on to detail that a McLean County canvassing board would meet earlier this week to certify election results, along with election board representatives from bordering Burleigh County.
