Kevin Cramer

Kevin Cramer
North Dakota Public Service Commissioner
Incumbent
Assumed office August 1, 2003
Preceded by	Leo M. Reinbold
Personal details
Born	January 21, 1961 (1961-01-21) Rolette, North Dakota
Political party	Republican
Website	http://www.kevincramer.org/

Kevin Cramer (born January 21, 1961, in Rolette, North Dakota) is a North Dakota politician who in 2010 is serving as a North Dakota Public Service Commissioner.

Biography

Cramer was born in Rolette, North Dakota, the first of 5 children for Richard Cramer and his wife, Clarice. He graduated from Kindred High School, and received degrees from Concordia College, as well as the University of Mary. He was the Chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party from 1991 to 1993, and he served under Governor Ed Schafer as the State Tourism Director from 1993 to 1997, and as the state's Economic Development Director from 1997 to 2000. Cramer twice was the Republican challenger to incumbent Earl Pomeroy for North Dakota's At-large congressional district in the United States House of Representatives; in 1996 and 1998. He was appointed to the Public Service Commission in 2003 by Governor John Hoeven after the resignation of Leo M. Reinbold. He was subsequently elected to the commission in 2004 by over 65 percent of the vote. He will face re-election in 2010. He is married to Kris, and has four children.

In 2010, Cramer and his wife, Kris, became "interveners" in the matter of a child whose mother, a former girlfriend of one of their sons, was beaten to death by her current boyfriend. Police investigation as reported by local media indicated that both the child's mother and her boyfriend were involved with drugs. The baby's father lived out of state. Although not related to the child, the Cramers were able to have themselves made temporary guardians of the child. Previously authorities had briefly placed the child with its maternal grandmother, and also are stated in court records as having "misplaced" contact information for the baby's father. As a result, the baby's father was not notified of court hearings and did not participate in proceedings resulting in placing the child with the Cramers, and his parental rights were legally terminated. On December 3, 2010, the state Supreme Court heard arguments with regard to an appeal of the termination by the baby's father. Case #20100351

Helping veterans

Cramer serves as the co-chairman of the Roughrider Honor Flight program. This program gives World War Two veterans the chance to visit the World War Two memorial in Washington DC. Cramer has worked to locate veterans and raise money for them to take part in the program.

Defending coal industry

Cramer has been a leading defender of the coal and oil industry in North Dakota. He spent much of the summer at town hall type events defending the industry against cap and trade legislation in Washington. Cramer was recently applauded for signing the "No Climate Tax Pledge."

Health care town halls

Cramer was very visible in early 2010 at North Dakota town hall meetings fighting against health care legislation passed by the US House in late 2009.

TEA Parties

Cramer has attended numerous TEA Party rallies in North Dakota where he speaks about energy, taxes, jobs, and the Constitution.

2010 Congressional race

Cramer announced on January 14, 2010 that he would run for the North Dakota seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was unsuccessful in receiving the nomination at the state GOP convention in March 2010, losing to former House Majority Leader Rick Berg. Cramer was then nominated for re-election to the Public Service Commission.

Notes

Preceded by Leo M. Reinbold

North Dakota Public Service Commissioner 2003–present

Succeeded by incumbent