GOP's Christmann wins seat on ND utilities board

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's utilities board is staying Republican with state Sen. Randy Christmann's victory in Tuesday's election.

Christmann beat Democrat Brad Crabtree, who was making his second bid for a seat on the Public Service Commission.

The three-member commission regulates electric and gas utilities, pipelines, wind energy, grain elevators and coal mining. All three seats have been held by Republicans. Christmann will replace Republican Tony Clark, who resigned in June.

The 52-year-old Christmann runs a cattle ranch near Hazen in Mercer County. His district includes several coal mines and electric power plants.

He will have to resign his Senate seat to take his new job.

Crabtree works for a nonprofit group that promotes development of renewable energy. He lost a race for the commission two years ago.

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