FARGO -- Doug Burgum says he has not thought about what his legacy as North Dakota's governor will be.
The Republican, who has led the state for eight years, said he feels he has accomplished a lot during his tenure, particularly in making sure North Dakota is in a better position financially. He said he came to the office as a business leader and followed business principles to improve state government.
"There's just so many great things that we've done," Burgum told The Forum Thursday, Dec. 5, in Fargo. "This is a job that you don't want to quit. I've got more energy for being governor of North Dakota today than the day I started. You sort of don't want it to end."
Burgum, who was first elected as North Dakota's governor in 2016, will leave office on Dec. 14. The former technology executive and real estate mogul likely won't be without a job for long, as President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Burgum to be the next Interior secretary.
If appointed, Burgum would oversee multiple agencies that could affect life in North Dakota. That would include the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, and the bureaus of Indian Affairs, Land Management and Reclamation.
Burgum declined to say what impact he hopes to have if he secures the appointment.
Burgum was born and raised in Arthur, a town of about 325 residents 30 miles northwest of Fargo. The North Dakota State University graduate obtained a master's degree in business administration from Stanford University.
Before his career in politics, Burgum led Great Plains Software, a startup that created thousands of jobs for North Dakotans. Microsoft bought the company in 2001. He later founded the Kilbourne Group, a real estate company that contributed to the development and revitalization of downtown Fargo. He also started Arthur Ventures, which invests in software companies.
When asked why he wanted to run for governor, Burgum talked about his career and philanthropy. He wanted to make a difference in education, he said.
In talking with schools, he found out that North Dakota was spending billions of dollars on education, and donating money would equal "a drop in the bucket" that wouldn't make a difference, he said.
He also got inspiration after meeting multiple governors as he grew up, he said. Burgum said he saw that business leaders ran for governor, adding that there was an opportunity for him to make a greater impact.
"Instead of making a difference for one school, what if you made a difference at a state level?" he said.
Burgum was considered a longshot against his Republican opponent, then-Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem. Stenehjem won the endorsement from the North Dakota GOP.
"People thought we had no chance," Burgum said. "There was like zero chance of us ever winning, but there were people who believed in us."
Burgum defeated Stenehjem and Paul Sorum in the 2016 Republican primary, garnering nearly 60% of the vote. He won the general election with a landslide tally of 77%.
Burgum came into office after a significant drop in oil prices led to deep budget cuts for state government. Outgoing Gov. Jack Dalrymple proposed a $13.5 billion 2017-19 budget that included $4.8 billion in general fund spending.
That would have been a 21% reduction from the previous biennium.
The North Dakota Legislature ultimately approved a $13.6 billion budget, cutting general fund appropriations even further to $4.3 billion.
Burgum said he used initiatives that cut red tape and attracted talent and capital to improve North Dakota's financial state. He also boasted policy that promoted infrastructure investments from the private sector, including an ethanol plant in Richardton, carbon capture and the ability to generate energy better than other states.
Reserve funds also have doubled since he took office, from $17 billion to $35 billion, Burgum said. North Dakota's 2023-25 end balance for the general fund will be $1.2 billion, he said.
"We're pleased to be leaving North Dakota in the best financial shape it's ever been," he said. "That's not a claim. That's a fact."
Burgum first budget proposed $14.3 billion to fund the 2019-2021 biennium, with $4.6 billion from the general fund. Lawmakers increased the full budget to $14.7 billion, with $4.8 in general fund spending.
Burgum proposed a $19.5 billion budget on Wednesday in his last speech to the state Legislature, with $6.5 billion from the general fund. He called the budget fiscally responsible, noting surrounding states in the region have much larger increases in general fund spending.
Burgum's proposal for general fund spending is less than the $6.9 billion approved for the 2013-15 biennium, a record for the state, he noted. North Dakota has 100,000 more people than when he took office, Burgum said.
"From a financial standpoint, I've said you can't find a state that's actually been more fiscally conservative," Burgum said.
Burgum ran on the promise of reinventing government, particularly on the technology side. He spearheaded an online movement for residents to access government services, including paying taxes, renewing permits and purchasing driver licenses. Under his leadership, government websites and logos became more uniform.
Burgum also touted online services for posting hunting land, as well as improved tribal relations.
He created the Office of Recovery Reinvented, which is geared at addressing addiction in North Dakota, and has promoted changes in the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Burgum was integral in the development of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, which is expected to open in 2026.
Burgum came to office as protests broke out on the Stand Rock Reservation over the Dakota Access Pipeline. His spokesman, Mike Nowatzki, said that time "dark days that could have become darker."
Instead of pulling the trigger, Burgum and others came together in a government collaboration to resolve the issue, Nowatzki said.
Burgum also oversaw the state during the coronavirus pandemic.
Burgum's tenure has not been without controversy. He launched an unsuccessful bid for president before endorsing Trump and passing on a third term in office. The endorsement turned into extensive travel to campaign for Trump.
Burgum previously criticized Trump, saying that he wouldn't do business with the former president. That changed this year and speculation spread that Burgum would become Trump's running mate.
Trump ultimately chose Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his vice president, but he didn't shut out Burgum. During a gala last month at the president-elect's Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump announced Burgum would head the Interior Department.
Trump also asked Burgum to chair a National Energy Council, a new position that will oversee all agencies involved in American energy.
Burgum said he didn't campaign with Trump in exchange for a Cabinet position but rather wanted to go where he could make the most impact. Being named Interior secretary is a reflection on all of North Dakota, Burgum said.
In the face of those that criticized his support of Trump, Burgum said America is a country of free speech.
He noted that public lands belong to everyone, whether they voted for Trump or not. He acknowledged people are concerned about the environment.
"We need to have people understand that if we're not utilizing our public lands, and we're offshoring energy production to other places that don't even have EPAs (environmental protection agencies), it's not solving the problem," he said. "We just know, factually, that if we don't do it, somebody else will do it worse, and that's not good."
Burgum said he tries to live a life without regrets, which means taking an ample amount of risks.
"Whether that's starting a business or running for governor, I think the track record is there to back up that statement," he said.