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03.20.2010
Berg Wins
by
GRAND FORKS — The Republican Convention has given its endorsement to Fargo Rep. Rick Berg for the U.S. House race.
Berg will face Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., in the general election.
“We are unified in our belief that our representative in Congress is not representing us and must be changed,” said Berg on Saturday. “It’s time to give North Dakota’s representational seat back to the people.”
Berg beat out the other likely front runner, Public Service Commission Chairman Kevin Cramer, as well as candidates J.D. Donaghe of Kenmare and DuWayne Hendrickson of Minot.
Berg beat Cramer by 972 to 442 votes.
“A lot of people here are participating in politics for the first time. Just know, there’s no second place in politics. When we pick a candidate, we all get behind that person,” Cramer said.
Berg said he believes he got the endorsement because his legislative background resonated with a lot of delegates, but it also was reaching out with the delegates that showed up uncommitted.
“Because of that there’s been a lot of one on one talking to people in just the last 24 hours,” he said.
Both Donaghe and Hendrickson have said they still intend to run in the Republican primary in June.
Berg said, if elected in the general election, job creation and the economy will be his No. 1 priority.
“We need to put the free back in free market,” said Berg, saying that government is incapable of making jobs, but rather can only provide a suitable climate for businesses to grow. “I’m not promising false hope through government intervention.”
In convincing delegates to choose him over Cramer, Berg touted his legislative background and pointed to a poll that showed him ahead of Pomeroy.
“That poll showed Rick to be six points ahead of Earl Pomeroy. That’s the first time in 18 years that he has been in Congress that a Republican has been ahead,” said Berg nominator and Bismarck resident Jim Poolman.
In talking about his years in the Legislature, Berg spoke of success in creating jobs, balancing the budget, building a surplus, and ensuring tax cuts.
“We need someone with a backbone and strong legislative leadership. I did this in Bismarck and I’ll do this in Washington,” Berg said.
Berg said his record in Bismarck has been good for all North Dakotans.
“Now there’s good news for Earl Pomeroy. Because of Republican economic leadership here in North Dakota, he’ll be able to find a job when he gets home,” Berg said jokingly.
Another important message the Berg campaign pointed out in its video was that Berg was a capable fundraiser — one of Cramer’s known talents.
Berg said he thinks the election will cost at least $1.5 million, but he won’t say how much he has in the bank now.
“Raising money is hard, but people are concerned about the direction of the country, and I think they’ll be supporting candidates both with their time and with their money,” Berg said.
He said his main challenge will be “taking the same message from 1,600 delegates to 640,000 people.”
Berg has served in the state Legislature since 1984, serving both as majority leader and House speaker.
Cramer has said he will accept a draft to run for re-election to his PSC seat.
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