BISMARCK -- North Dakota Republican Party Chairman Robert Harms announced to party officials Friday morning that he won't seek re-election to a second term during this weekend's GOP summit in Bismarck.
"I had made an announcement that I was going to (run), and then we looked at it and talked about it here at home and thought, you know, maybe it's time to turn the reins over," Harms said in a phone interview.
His decision leaves state Sen. Kelly Armstrong, R-Dickinson, and Andrea Toman of Bismarck, a founding board member of the Liberty ND political action committee, in the running for party chairperson.
"They're capable and young and energetic and enthusiastic," Harms said.
The North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party selected 26-year-old state Rep. Kylie Oversen of Grand Forks as its chairwoman in March.
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NDGOP officials will elect a chairperson and other officers Saturday afternoon during the Republican Roundup, which begins today at the Ramada Inn in Bismarck. The 57 electors consist of the 47 district chairs, five current party officers, the national committeeman and committeewoman, the governor or his proxy and the House and Senate majority leaders or their proxies.
Harms served as NDGOP treasurer for about three years before being elected in June 2013 to a two-year term as chairman, an unpaid volunteer position.
"It's a commitment on a personal level and professional level, and it takes a lot of time," he said.
The 59-year-old attorney, consultant and lobbyist previously served as legal counsel for a total of 11 years for Govs. Ed Schafer and John Hoeven.
NDGOP Executive Director Jason Flohrs called Harms an "absolutely great leader for the party."
"From messaging to fundraising to bringing the party together, I think he did a great job," he said.
Harms, who is married with two adult sons, said he feels good about the party's position and progress over the last two years. Republicans hold two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate, every statewide office and two of the state's three congressional seats.
"We've got money in the bank, we're debt free and we've successfully defended every statewide seat and a net loss of one legislative seat," Harms said, though he added, "I think we've got some challenges going forward."
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Flohrs said about 200 party members are expected to attend this weekend's training, volunteer engagement and fundraising summit. U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., will deliver the keynote address tonight.
Reach Nowatzki at (701) 255-5607 or by email at mnowatzki@forumcomm.com .
