Thompson: Hamm’s Donation Another Example of the Out-of-State Billionaire Trying to Buy North Dakota’s Politicians

(GRAND FORKS, ND) — Last night, Kevin Cramer made an incredible admission that out-of-state billionaire Harold Hamm’s offer to be the campaign’s finance chair convinced him to run for the Senate. Unfortunately, it is just another example of the megadonor trying to buy North Dakota politicians.

Hamm, the Oklahoma oil and gas magnate, has given thousands of dollars to the campaigns of Doug Burgum, Wayne Stenehjem, and Doug Goehring, the three officials who are charged with regulating the industry where he made his fortune.

“Kevin Cramer shouldn’t have to wait for a billionaire’s word to decide whether or not to run for the Senate,” said David Thompson, North Dakota Democratic-NPL candidate for Attorney General. “Whether it’s Cramer in DC, or Burgum, Stenehjem, and Goehring in Bismarck, Harold Hamm knows he can dictate North Dakota’s public policy from out of state. As if it wasn’t enough that an oil and gas tycoon has given to the three members of the Industrial Commission of North Dakota, now he wants to funnel more money into the Cramer campaign.”

Thompson has previously published an investigative report on Harold Hamm’s involvement in improper campaign contributions to members of the North Dakota Industrial Commission.