Bismarck Tribune
October 10, 2006
Stenehjem has earned third term in office
Wayne Stenehjem and Bill Brudvik both have experience as attorneys to draw on, which is good, since each wants to be the North Dakota attorney general for the next four years — Stenehjem for his third term, Brudvik as a first-timer.
The similarity pretty much ends with their being lawyers.Brudvik has substantially more years of experience devoted to the practice of law, especially in representing cities, schools and water interests, while Stenehjem was busy serving the people of North Dakota in the political arena and as a capable attorney general.
The grounding in practical politics, chairing the judicial committees of both House and Senate, and after election as attorney general leading the staff in the representation of the state and its entities in significant litigation and mandated regulatory functions — these add up to enough of a reason to re-elect Stenehjem.
Perhaps the clearest distinction between the two men is in Brudvik’s saying, “I am a lawyer, not a career politician,” and Stenehjem’s for the most part demonstrating how a state attorney general’s role both fits into and should be held apart from politics.
Brudvik has latched onto Stenehjem’s record of decisions. He cites how he thinks the attorney general was responsible for prolonging the negotiations over a lawsuit by school districts against the state (Brudvik says, too long, and at too great an expense). He also faults how Stenehjem handled (Brudvik says, failed to investigate sufficiently) complaints in the controversy involving the Republican governor and members of the Board of Higher Education in the firing of university system Chancellor Robert Potts.
It comes with the territory, having one’s decisions criticized and one’s judgment questioned, when the race is for such an important position as attorney general and a challenger looks for issues weighty enough to unseat the incumbent. Stenehjem acted within the realm of good judgment.
Stenehjem offers his list of accomplishments and his record. They merit giving him another term.
To view the full article please visit http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2006/10/10/news/opinion/editorials/doc452af390556a5671542079.txt
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