Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) is 2024 paperwork official.
The governor filed his paperwork with the Federal Election Commission ahead of his plans to publicly jump-start his campaign in Fargo, North Dakota, becoming one of three major newcomers into the 2024 GOP primary this week.
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Burgum also announced his intention to run in a Wall Street Journal op-ed.
"When I ran for governor in 2016, we shook up the political establishment—then cut more than a billion dollars in spending, balanced the budget, unleashed energy production, and diversified the economy. This year we achieved pension reform, helped pass term limits, and enacted the biggest tax cut in state history," Burgum wrote.
The move comes on the heels of a video former Vice President Mike Pence dropped announcing his 2024 bid and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's announcement Tuesday.
Garnering less buzz than many of his peers, Burgum is widely considered an underdog. However, he is no stranger to uphill political battles having bested Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem in the 2016 election contest for North Dakota governor despite having no political experience.
Burgum cast himself as an outsider ready to take on President Joe Biden and usher in a new area of conservative policies.
"When Joe Biden released his video announcing his re-election campaign, it was shocking what was missing. He failed to articulate any economic vision for the country, he ignored the anxiety of families grappling with inflation, and he looked the other way as a recession looms," added in the op-ed.
Prior to his announcement, Burgum mused that there was a hunger for "alternatives" and that being seen as a longshot could serve as a “competitive advantage.”
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Burgum is in his second term as governor. During his tenure, he signed conservative legislation on taxes, budgeting, abortion, transgenderism, and more.
Sparse polling has gauged Burgum's support. The Republican National Committee is requiring aspirants to amass over 1% in at least three polls that meet its criteria to make it to the debate stage in August. Candidates are also required to accrue donations from a minimum of 40,000 donors.