Dalrymple has a $1M lead over Taylor

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BISMARCK — North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple has a $1 million campaign fundraising advantage over his Democratic challenger, according to finance reports released this week.

Senate Minority Leader Ryan Taylor, D-Towner, has raised nearly $304,000 in his bid for governor since officially entering the race in December. Dalrymple has raised $1.35 million since announcing in November that he would run for the office.

Top energy officials are among Dalrymple’s biggest contributors this year. He received $25,000 from Hess CEO John Hess and $5,000 from Oasis Petroleum CEO Thomas Nusz.

Oasis executives Kent Beers ($1,000), Michael Lou ($1,000) and Taylor Reid ($3,000) also gave contributions.

Local officials in the Oil Patch also supported Dalrymple’s campaign, including Williston Mayor Ward Koeser ($500), Williston City Commissioner Brad Bekkedahl ($500) and Williston Economic Development Director Tom Rolfstad ($2,000).

Taylor’s biggest donations this year were $35,000 from Friends of Kent Conrad and $10,000 from the Democratic Governors Association. Friends of Byron Dorgan gave $1,000 and former Rep. Earl Pomeroy gave $500.

Taylor also received $1,000 from Watford City Mayor Brent Sanford and $2,620 from Fargo Hotel Donaldson owner Karen Stoker.

Taylor raised nearly $260,000 of his funds from Jan. 1 through May 23. More than 92 percent of the total donations made have come from North Dakotans, according to Taylor’s campaign.

“When you get down to the heart of it, our support is coming from hard-working folks right here in North Dakota, from our local communities,” Taylor said in a statement. “This is a grassroots campaign, and these dollars don’t come easy to those giving them. I don’t take one cent of it for granted.”

Dalrymple raised $530,000 from Jan. 1 to May 23. His campaign said his fundraising is a testament to what he’s accomplished since becoming governor in December 2010.

“We are continually humbled by the thousands of North Dakotans who have given their financial support to Gov. Dalrymple’s campaign,” campaign manager Amy Lunde, said in a statement.

Eighty percent of Dalrymple’s contributors are from North Dakota, and more than half of all contributions were less than $100, his campaign said.

Finneman is a multimedia reporter for Forum Communications Co.

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