BISMARCK -- Michael Liffrig, a Mandan lawyer and jury consultant, will make formal announcements Friday in five cities that he'll run against Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., state Republican Party officials said Wednesday.
Liffrig has practiced law since 1985 and later started a mediation service now known as First Court, which grew into jury consulting work, including mock trials. He travels widely and the business is based on a ranch outside Mandan.
Liffrig was out of town Wednesday and not available for comment.
New Salem High School Principal Keith Jacobson will seek the party's letter of support in a bid for the superintendent race, said party Executive Director Jason Stverak. Jacobson will make his formal announcements next Wednesday.
The office is on the no-party ballot but candidates typically get a letter of support from one of the parties.
ADVERTISEMENT
Jacobson would likely oppose either incumbent Superintendent Wayne Sanstead or Grand Forks teacher Max Laird, who are both seeking the Democrats' letter of endorsement, though Laird has also made overtures to Republicans.
Wednesday's announcements Wednesday came with barely a week to go before the nominating convention April 2-4 in Bismarck.
A Max, N.D., farmer said he'll decide whether to make a bid for agriculture commissioner by the end of this week.
Jim Lee said he didn't start sooner because he had hip replacement surgery in January when the district conventions started. He assumed someone else in the party would be visiting the conventions and seeking support for the ag endorsement.
Lee, who is also a 20-year Ward County commissioner and a certified seed producer, also sought the nomination in 1996 and 2000. He was defeated at the 2000 convention by Clare Carlson, who in turn was defeated at the polls in November by the incumbent commissioner, Roger Johnson.
Lee is a member of the board of the Ward County Farm Bureau, the chapter that went to court against Nodak Mutual and Insurance Commissioner Jim Poolman over the company's restructuring last year.
Johnson is seeking re-election. This year, the agriculture commissioner, secretary of state, attorney general and tax commissioner run for two-year terms as the state moves to get some races placed permanently on the off-year ballots.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Janell Cole at (701) 224-0830
