29 apply to join North Dakota Ethics Commission

The Ethics Commission meets in the Sakakawea Room of the North Dakota Capitol in Bismarck on June 26, 2024. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)

The governor’s office received applications from 29 North Dakotans interested in joining the Ethics Commission.

The top candidate will fill the open seat left by Chair Paul Richard, who announced plans to retire earlier this year.

Members of the Ethics Commission are appointed by the consensus of the governor, Senate majority leader and Senate minority leader.

Gov. Doug Burugm, Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, R-Minot, and Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan, D-Fargo, will now start reviewing applications.

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“Once they’ve each identified their preferred candidates, they will meet to discuss the candidates and try to reach consensus agreement as required by the ND Constitution,” Mike Nowatzki, spokesperson for the governor’s office, said in an email to the North Dakota Monitor. “That meeting has yet to be scheduled.”

Richard will remain on the Ethics Commission until his replacement has been appointed.

The five-member Ethics Commission was created through a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2018. It regulates ethical behavior in the areas of elections, corruption, lobbying and transparency.