Becker to run as independent in ND

A Republican State Representative from Bismarck is launching a campaign to run for the US Senate as an independent.

Rick Becker will need 1000 valid signatures to get on the November ballot.

Becker had challenged incumbent US Senator John Hoeven at the state GOP convention. He narrowly lost the nomination. And at the time, he said he would not challenge Hoeven in the primary. And Becker didn’t mount a primary campaign. But he says he was motivated to get into the race at this time because of federal spending which he says is causing the current inflation.

Becker says he plans to collect the signatures through an old-fashioned stump tour across the state.

Becker, a Bismarck plastic surgeon and former gubernatorial candidate, was elected to the state House in 2012.

NDPPR/KNOX