Members and staff of the North Dakota Ethics Commission meet during an Oct. 23, 2024, meeting at the North Dakota Capitol. Pictured clockwise from left are member Murray Sagsveen, then-Chair Dave Anderson, attorney Logan Carpenter and then-operations administrator Alisha Maier. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)
A total of 39 North Dakotans applied to fill the open positions to the Ethics Commission.
The applicant pool includes former Ethics Commission Chair Paul Richard, who was among the first crop of commissioners to serve on the board. Richard stepped down last year after five years of service.
He said he applied to finish the term of former chair Dave Anderson, who died unexpectedly in May. Anderson was also one of the first members of the commission. Richard said he could help fill in the experience gap that Anderson leaves behind.
“At the end of the day, I’m available if they want me,” he said.
Other applicants include attorneys, former state and local government employees, professors, community organizers and a former Ethics Commission intern.
Whoever fills Anderson’s seat would begin as soon as possible and finish out his term, which ends Aug. 31, 2026.
Another opening is for Ward Koeser’s seat. Koeser will leave the commission at the end of August, and his successor will serve a four-year term beginning Sept. 1.
Commissioner Murray Sagsveen’s term also ends this month, though he is seeking to be reappointed. The Ethics Commission sent a letter to the Governor’s Office expressing support for Sagsveen’s reappointment.
Members of the Ethics Commission are selected based on a consensus vote of the governor and the Senate majority and minority leaders.
The appointments come at a time when the governor and Ethics Commission have been openly at odds over the role of the regulatory agency.
The three officials will convene at 10 a.m. Friday at the Capitol to begin reviewing applications.
The Ethics Commission was created through a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2018. It’s tasked with enforcing ethical behavior in the areas of elections, lobbying, corruption and transparency.
Commissioners’ duties include adopting ethics rules, investigating alleged violations and issuing advisory opinions to help public officials navigate ethical issues. They are paid a stipend for every day they meet, plus reimbursement for travel.
North Dakota Monitor reporter Mary Steurer can be reached at msteurer@northdakotamonitor.com.
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