Back in May, I wrote an article questioning whether Rep. Rick Becker (R – District 7) should run for U.S. Senate . As you know, Rep. Becker’s name was among the many thrown out as possible candidates for the Republican nomination to run against Democratic incumbent Senator Heidi Heitkamp.
Just hours ago, Rep. Becker confirmed with The Minuteman that he will not seek the Republican endorsement for U.S. Senate, but has notified the District 7 Republican Executive Committee that he will seek re-election to the North Dakota State House. In an official statement, he said:
“As much as a Congressional office is a rare opportunity, there remains too much to do in North Dakota. I believe at this time, I can best serve our state by staying here, and continuing the fight for principled conservatism.”
The only Republican to have announced a bid for U.S. Senate is State Senator Tom Campbell (R – District 19). Back in November, we wrote about the likelihood of Congressman Kevin Cramer throwing his hat in the ring . And Rob Port of the Say Anything Blog wrote about the same thing just two days ago .
Unquestionably, Becker’s decision will leave some in the state disappointed. Of the potential U.S. Senate candidates, many saw Becker as the only conservative option in a race versus Heitkamp. His conservative credentials were recently verified as he was just one of two legislators to score 100% in The American Conservative Union Foundation’s ” 2017 Ratings of North Dakota “.
Becker’s principled conservatism made him the target of a letter sent to supporters of the “Dem-NPL House Caucus” by State Representative and Caucus Chair Joshua Boschee (D – District 44) back in September. In it Boschee calls for Becker to be replaced with a strong Democrat– a tall order in a heavily Republican district. Not to mention the fact that Becker ran unopposed in 2014.
So, while some “Becker Backers” will be disappointed at the news there will be no run for U.S. Senate, I believe Rep. Becker’s decision is the best one for North Dakota. In the May article, I wrote this:
“One need look no further than the recently completed North Dakota Legislative Session to see the impact that Rick Becker has. Aside from his growing ‘Bastiat Caucus’ – which advocates for principles of limited government – two of the big wins of the session came in the form of Constitutional Carry and Confidential Informant Reform (i.e. ‘Andrew’s Law’)– both sponsored by Becker. Remove that type of legislation from a session and there’s little to be excited about.
“And while the legislature still spent way more than they should be, Rep. Becker was often there to sound the voice of reason and opposition to spending bills. His absence in the North Dakota Legislature would leave a gaping hole for those of us who want limited government and fiscal responsibility in Bismarck.
…
“Yes, Rep. Becker would be a breath of fresh air in Washington, but his absence could potentially leave us gasping for air in Bismarck. It’s a trade-off I’m no longer convinced is the best thing for North Dakota.”
Indeed, we need more people like Rep. Becker both in Washington and in Bismarck. Unfortunately for us, there’s only one Rick Becker. And thank goodness he’s giving it another go at the North Dakota Legislature– much to the chagrin of Democrats I’m sure.
Sources:
1. https://theminutemanblog.com/single-post/2017/05/03/Should-Rep-Rick-Becker-Run-for-US-Senate
2. https://theminutemanblog.com/single-post/2017/11/03/Move-Over-Tom-Campbell-Trump-Wants-Cramer-to-Run-for-Senate
3. https://www.sayanythingblog.com/entry/rep-kevin-cramer-expected-meet-president-donald-trump-tuesday-ahead-likely-senate-run/
4. https://theminutemanblog.com/single-post/2017/12/05/Becker-Simons-Lead-the-Way-with-100-Conservative-Rankings
5. https://theminutemanblog.com/single-post/2017/09/23/Badge-of-Honor-Democrats-Place-Rick-Becker-at-the-Top-of-Hit-List
6 . http://acuratings.conservative.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2017/07/NorthDakota_2017_web-1.pdf
