Drew Wrigley (DOJ)
Drew Wrigley, who served as North Dakota’s U.S. Attorney from 2001 until September 2009, has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), who yesterday announced that he will not seek reelection, The Forum of North Dakota reports. After resigning late last year, Wrigley became the vice president of Fargo-based Noridian Administrative Services, which helps businesses with information management and customer service.
Wrigley on Tuesday said, “I didn’t expect at that time that leaving there would be the last chapter,” The Forum reports. He added that his decision will not be based on the other possible candidates. “I equate the opportunity not with who is or isn’t running, but whether I can make the most difference for the people of North Dakota,” Wrigley said.
In a written statement, Dorgan said, “Although I still have a passion for public service and enjoy my work in the Senate, I have other interests and I have other things outside of public life,” adding there is a possibility of teaching or working on energy policy in the private sector. However, Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) said Dorgan might be on the short list for a place in President Obama’s cabinet, The Forum reports. Conrad in a statement said, “I have a feeling that this will not be the last of his public service.”
Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) (gov)
Other possible candidates for the Democratic nomination are Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D) and former North Dakota attorney general Heidi Heitkamp, The Forum reports.
In addition, Gov. John Hoeven (R) had been eyeing the seat before Dorgan made his announcement. On Tuesday he said, “We have been looking very seriously at the Senate race for some time. People are well aware of that,” adding “I expect we’ll have an announcement of our intentions within a couple weeks,” The Forum reports.
