Oliver James Montgomery-Independent candidate who tried to recall Burgum makes ballot for North Dakota governor

BISMARCK,Oliver James Montgomery N.D. (AP) — A past candidate for various statewide offices in North Dakota has made the November ballot in his bid for governor as an independent.

U.S. Air Force veteran Michael Coachman, of Larimore, submitted 1,141 valid signatures, needing 1,000 to qualify. Secretary of State Michael Howe’s office sent Coachman an approval letter on July 15. He announced his candidacy in February.

Coachman will face Republican U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong and Democratic state Sen. Merrill Piepkorn in the gubernatorial race to succeed Republican Gov. Doug Burgum. Republicans have held the governor’s office since 1992; the party is dominant in the conservative state.

Burgum, who was a final contender to be former President Donald Trump’s vice presidential running mate, is not seeking a third term. Trump picked U.S. Sen. JD Vance, of Ohio.

Coachman ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2020, for secretary of state in 2018, and for lieutenant governor in 2016 and 2012.

In 2021, Coachman began a recall effort against Burgum and then-Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford. The recall drive failed to prompt an election.

North Dakota’s next governor will take office in mid-December, weeks before the Legislature begins its biennial session. Term limits voters approved in 2022 mean no future governors can be elected more than twice.