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Rick Becker

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This article is about the North Dakota politician. For other uses, see Richard Becker.

Rick Becker
Becker in 2022
Member of the North Dakota House of Representatives
from the 7th district
In office
December 1, 2012 – November 30, 2022
Preceded byJon Nelson
Succeeded byMatt Heilman
Personal details
BornMandan, North Dakota[1]
Political partyRepublican (before 2022, 2024-present)
Other political
affiliations		Independent (2022-2024)
SpouseAnne Becker
Children4
EducationUniversity of North Dakota (BS, MD)

Ricky Clark Becker[2] is an American businessman and politician from Bismarck. He served in the North Dakota House of Representatives as a Republican from 2012 to 2022.[3]

Becker is a plastic surgeon and businessman with several commercial developments. He was elected to represent District 7 in the North Dakota House in 2012, and was reelected to a four-year term in 2014.[4] Becker has often been described as a proponent of far-right politics, and was a founder of the ultraconservative Bastiat Caucus.[5][6][7][8] He was a candidate for Governor of North Dakota in the 2016 gubernatorial election.[9] He considered running in the run for the US Senate against incumbent Heidi Heitkamp, but ultimately decided against a run.[10] Becker has also held a position on the Bismarck Planning and Zoning Commission.

Becker was an independent candidate in the 2022 United States Senate election in North Dakota, after unsuccessfully challenging incumbent John Hoeven in the Republican primary, garnering 46% of the vote at the GOP convention.[11] He placed third in the general election, having received 18.5% of the vote.

Becker ran for North Dakota's at-large congressional district in 2024 following the announcement that incumbent Kelly Armstrong will run for governor.[12]

Political views

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Becker is often described as a conservative or libertarian. He has described himself as "...many things: a classical liberal, libertarian, fiscal conservative, laissez-faire capitalist. There are many things that you can refer to me as."[13] Becker has voluntarily requested officials to rescind[14] certain benefits and tax breaks his businesses are eligible for because he doesn't agree with them. In an interview, Becker stated, "I'm a very vocal opponent to most government incentive programs. I'm very much a believer in the free market."[15] In 2017, he said that North Dakota has too many colleges, saying the state board of higher education should look into "re-purposing some of the campuses."[16]

North Dakota House of Representatives

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During his first session in 2013, Becker formed the ultraconservative Bastiat Caucus, named after the political philosopher Frédéric Bastiat. Eventually, the group grew to several dozen members of the North Dakota House, often holding regular meetings to organize a unified, conservative front on key votes.[11]

During the 2015 legislative session, Becker supported Division A of HB 1461, which would have pulled North Dakota out of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, generally seen as a move to get the state out of the Common Core standards. The bill narrowly failed.[17] Becker was the main force courting support for the bill, which Governor Jack Dalrymple, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler, and Republican Party leadership opposed.[18]

Becker supported a bill that would have brought the state income tax down to a 0% rate for an extended tax holiday for residents paying those taxes.[19] His bill to ban DUI checkpoints garnered significant controversy but ultimately failed.[citation needed]

In 2017, Becker and others decided to provide a more organized, public presence for their Bastiat Caucus in order to disseminate information to the public about key legislation from Caucus members.[20] This effort included an aggressive social media campaign, website and grassroots organizing headed by his former gubernatorial campaign staff.[21] Some in the media reported division amongst the ranks of the Republican Party and efforts by leadership to thwart Becker's legislative initiatives.[citation needed]

Becker introduced 17 bills during the 2017 legislative session, more than most representatives. His "constitutional carry" bill, which would allow otherwise law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons without a permit generated significant interest and attention.[22] He also introduced legislation on free speech protections on college campuses that would eliminate "safe spaces"[23] and a bill decriminalizing marijuana.[24] In the aftermath of the 2015 legislative battle over getting out of Common Core in North Dakota and an electoral challenge to Superintendent of Public Instruction, Kirsten Baesler,[25] Becker decided to put forward legislation to provide school choice in North Dakota. His bill, which would establish education savings accounts, was introduced.[26]

2016 gubernatorial campaign

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Rick Becker on stage with his grandson at the March 3, 2016, gubernatorial debate in Bismarck, North Dakota.
Main article: 2016 North Dakota gubernatorial election

On November 11, 2015, in an online video announcement, Becker became the first candidate to announce his candidacy in the 2016 gubernatorial election.[27] The campaign sought the endorsement of the Republican Party at its state convention, held in Fargo in April 2016. He publicly pledged to not proceed past the convention without support from the Party.[citation needed] Becker was endorsed by many of the top conservatives in the legislature, including Majority Caucus Leader Scott Louser. He was also endorsed by the National Association for Gun Rights and by Congressman and former presidential candidate Ron Paul.[28]

At the State Republican Convention, Becker came in second to Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem on a first and second ballot. Eventually, Stenehjem won in a close race over Becker. Doug Burgum, who came in a distant third at the convention, eventually defeated Stenehjem in the June 14 Republican primary.[29]

2022 U.S. Senate campaign

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Main article: 2022 United States Senate election in North Dakota

On January 19, 2022, Becker announced he would not run for reelection to the North Dakota House of Representatives.[30] On February 6, he announced he would primary incumbent U.S. Senator John Hoeven in the 2022 election.[31] Becker was defeated by Hoeven at the GOP convention on April 2, by a vote of 1,224 (54%) to 1,037 (46%).[32] Although Becker pledged at the convention to honor their decision, he subsequently changed his mind and re-entered the race as a conservative Independent candidate in August.[33]

2024 congressional election

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Main article: 2024 United States House of Representatives election in North Dakota

Becker announced that he would campaign as a Republican for North Dakota's at-large congressional district on January 22, 2024. At that time, incumbent Representative Kelly Armstrong was expected to run for re-election.[12] The following day, Armstrong announced he would not seek re-election and would instead run for governor.[34]

Becker is also heading a constitutional ballot initiative, Measure #4, that will eliminate local property taxes.[35]

Electoral history

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  • 2012 Race for North Dakota's House of Representatives – District 07[36]
Voters to choose two:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Jason D. Dockter, (R). 4,374   33.2%    Won
Rick Becker, (R). 4,291   32.6%    Won
Tom Kelsh, (D). 2,351   17.8%    Lost
Warren D. Larson, (D). 2,143   16.4%    Lost
  • 2014 Race for North Dakota's House of Representatives – District 07[37]
Voters to choose two:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Jason D. Dockter, (R). 4,624   49.6%    Won
Rick Becker, (R). 4,569   49.0%    Won
Write-ins 125   1.%    Lost

2016 North Dakota Republican State Convention

  • First Convention Ballot[29]
Delegates to choose one, all candidates remain on ballot after first round, starting third round of voting, lowest vote-getter would be removed, first candidate to receive 50%+1 wins:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Wayne Stenehjem 769   48.0    proceeded to 2nd ballot
Rick Becker 587   36.6%    proceeded to 2nd ballot
Doug Burgum 247   15.4%    proceeded to 2nd ballot
  • Second Convention Ballot
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Wayne Stenehjem 823   51.5%    received NDGOP endorsement
Rick Becker 618   38.7%    withdrew
Doug Burgum 157   9.8%    proceeded to Republican primary ballot

References

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  1. ^ "Vote Smart". Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  2. ^ "About - Rick Becker for Congress". Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  3. ^ "Representative Rick Becker | North Dakota Legislative Branch". Archived from the original on February 13, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  4. ^ "Rep. Rick Becker running for governor". The Bismarck Tribune. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  5. ^ "Some in GOP reject Rick Becker claim of gains for far right". KFYR TV. November 10, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  6. ^ Easter, Sam (February 7, 2022). "Bismarck's Rick Becker faces 'uphill battle' in GOP primary bid against Hoeven". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  7. ^ "North Dakota head of far-right legislative caucus retiring". AP News. January 20, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  8. ^ "Hoeven faces far-right challenge at state GOP convention". AP News. March 30, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  9. ^ "State lawmaker from Bismarck running for governor". Grand Forks Herald. September 23, 2015. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  10. ^ "Rick Becker, Bismarck state legislator, rules out run for Congress". Archived from the original on January 7, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  11. ^ a b "North Dakota's Becker to seek Hoeven's Senate seat after all". AP NEWS. August 15, 2022. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Jurgens, Paul (January 22, 2024). "Rick Becker announces run for US House of Representatives". KFGO. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  13. ^ "Q&A with Rick Becker, candidate for the Republican nomination for North Dakota governor | Grand Forks Herald". Archived from the original on December 12, 2015.
  14. ^ "Becker Renaissance Zone | PDF". Archived from the original on May 6, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  15. ^ Port, Rob. "Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Rick Becker Changes His Mind On Abortion Bill, Focuses On Fiscal Issues". Say Anything Blog. Rob Port. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  16. ^ "Does North Dakota Have Too Many Colleges?". June 27, 2017. Archived from the original on June 28, 2017. Retrieved July 2, 2017.
  17. ^ "Effort to eliminate Common Core defeated in House". Bismarck Tribune. February 11, 2015. Archived from the original on October 27, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  18. ^ "ND lawmakers hear five hours of arguments on bill to withdraw..." INFORUM. Archived from the original on November 28, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  19. ^ Becker, Rick. "Rep. Rick Becker: In Defense Of Eliminating The Income Tax – Say Anything Blog". Say Anything. Archived from the original on November 25, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  20. ^ "The new N.D.? A tight fist and an open heart". January 10, 2017. Archived from the original on January 12, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  21. ^ "Bastiat Caucus". Archived from the original on February 1, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  22. ^ "Bill would allow gun owners to conceal and carry without a permit in North Dakota". January 9, 2017. Archived from the original on January 14, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  23. ^ "ND bill would take aim at 'safe spaces' in higher ed". Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  24. ^ "Marijuana decriminalization may not have intended results". January 23, 2017. Archived from the original on April 23, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  25. ^ Nowatzki, Mike. "Amid criticism, Baesler announces plans to replace Common Core standards in North Dakota". Grand Forks Herald. Grand Forks Herald and Forum Communications Company. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  26. ^ "Education savings account bill generates opposition". January 25, 2017. Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  27. ^ Rick Becker for Governor – Announcement Video, YouTube, October 18, 2015, archived from the original on March 10, 2016, retrieved November 11, 2015
  28. ^ "Ron Paul endorses Becker for governor". January 15, 2016. Archived from the original on January 17, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  29. ^ a b "Stenehjem wins GOP nomination for hotly contested ND governor's race; Burgum to continue to primary | INFORUM". www.inforum.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2016.
  30. ^ MacPherson, James (January 20, 2022). "North Dakota head of far-right legislative caucus retiring". Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
  31. ^ Brooks, Emily (February 6, 2022). "Rick Becker announces GOP primary challenge to North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven". Washington Examiner. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
  32. ^ "Hoeven ekes out win against Becker for endorsement". April 3, 2022. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  33. ^ "Rick Becker announces run for U.S. Senate". August 15, 2022. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  34. ^ "Armstrong announces run for ND Governor". KFYR-TV. January 23, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  35. ^ "Former state Rep. Rick Becker announces US House bid; Bismarck resident making second run for Congress". The Bismarck Tribune. January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  36. ^ "North Dakota Secretary of State". Archived from the original on December 25, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  37. ^ "North Dakota Secretary of State". Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
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