BISMARCK — Former state Senator Tracy Potter says he’s “ready to serve” in the North Dakota Senate following his appointment by the District 35 Democratic-NPL district committee to fill the Senate vacancy created by the resignation of Senator Erin Oban, D-Dis. 35, Bismarck.
Potter will fill out Oban’s term and is the party’s endorsed candidate to retain the seat in November.
Joe Elsberry, Dem-NPL district chairman says the committee made a unanimous decision at a meeting Sunday evening. He said that feedback from district Dem-NPLers was supportive of Potter being named. Elsberry informed the Secretary of State and Legislative Council of the appointment Monday.
Oban announced her retirement from the Senate November 18, declaring she would not be a candidate for re-election in 2022.
Potter was endorsed for Senate by the District 35 convention on February 26.
March 17, Oban was appointed by President Biden to head the USDA Rural Development office for North Dakota. Oban’s resignation from the Senate was official on March 27. By state law, vacancies in the legislature are filled by appointment by the District Committee of the party of the former member.
“I told the committee that I am ready and able to assume the duties of representing District 35 in the Senate again,” Potter said.
Potter was the senator from District 35 from 2006-2010 when he did not seek re-election because he was nominated by the state party for the United States Senate.
Potter served on the Transportation Committee, Industry Business and Labor, Administrative Rules and as Chairman of the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations. He was elected by his caucus to Administrative Management.
“I’ll jump right in and do my best to represent the citizens of our district for the next eight months and, if the voters agree, for the next four years.”
