Columnist Rob Port recently labeled Doug Burgum, Republican candidate for governor of North Dakota, a pessimist. In all the years I've known Burgum, it's the first time I have ever heard that word used to describe him.
Nothing could be further from the truth. And in fact, to anyone who has spent more than five minutes around Burgum, it's laughably inaccurate.
Burgum, an optimist firmly rooted in gratitude, believes in North Dakota; always has, always will. He is one of North Dakota's biggest cheerleaders and best ambassadors. His belief in North Dakota is the reason that we have thousands of personally rewarding, high-paying tech jobs right here in the state.
From Great Plains Software to Microsoft to the spin-off companies generated from those two organizations, Burgum has created great jobs that have kept and brought back home young North Dakotans.
His natural-born optimism and belief in North Dakota are why he invests in building vibrant communities in the state he loves. His belief in North Dakota is why he is generous with his philanthropic giving to dozens of North Dakota causes and nonprofits. And his belief in North Dakota-and in the transformative power of technology-is why he continues investing in game-changing, North Dakota-based health care software start-ups such as Intelligent InSites.
ADVERTISEMENT
But the North Dakota governor's race is not about optimism versus pessimism. The North Dakota governor's race is about vision. Burgum's vision is that we take control of our economic future by harnessing technology, empowering entrepreneurs, diversifying our economy and building vibrant, safe communities that will attract capital and talent to North Dakota.
Burgum believes in North Dakota. And he's the only candidate in the governor's race with the proven track record of harnessing technology for job creation, along with the vision to empower North Dakota to move from good today to exceptional in the future. That sounds pretty optimistic to me.
Lauris Molbert
Fargo
Molbert is CEO of TMI Hospitality, a nationwide hotel developer and management company.
