Kevin Cramer
Encyclopedia
Kevin Cramer is a North Dakota
politician who in 2010 is serving as a North Dakota Public Service Commissioner.
. 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
. Cramer was then nominated for re-election to the Public Service Commission.
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
politician who in 2010 is serving as a North Dakota Public Service Commissioner.
Biography
Cramer was born in Rolette, North DakotaRolette, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 538 people, 243 households, and 140 families residing in the city. The population density was 535.4 people per square mile . There were 286 housing units at an average density of 284.6 per square mile...
. He graduated from Kindred High School, and received degrees from Concordia College, as well as the University of Mary
University of Mary
The University of Mary is a four year Catholic university near Bismarck, North Dakota.The university is the largest degree granting institution in Bismarck...
. He was the Chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party
North Dakota Republican Party
The North Dakota Republican Party is the North Dakota affiliate of the United States Republican Party. The party platform is generally conservative.The North Dakota Republican Party is strongly in control of the state's politics...
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
North Dakota Republican Party
The North Dakota Republican Party is the North Dakota affiliate of the United States Republican Party. The party platform is generally conservative.The North Dakota Republican Party is strongly in control of the state's politics...
challenger to incumbent Earl Pomeroy
Earl Pomeroy
Earl Pomeroy is a lobbyist and former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1993 until 2011. He is a member of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party.- Early life, education and career :...
for North Dakota's At-large congressional district
North Dakota's At-large congressional district
North Dakota's At-large congressional district is the sole congressional district for the state of North Dakota. All of North Dakota is contained within one at large Congressional District making it the eighth largest district in the nation.- History:...
in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
; in 1996 and 1998. He was appointed to the Public Service Commission in 2003 by Governor John Hoeven
John Hoeven
John Henry Hoeven III is the junior United States Senator from North Dakota. He is a member of the North Dakota Republican Party. He is expected to become the state's senior senator when Kent Conrad retires from the Senate in January 2013.Hoeven served as the 31st Governor of North Dakota,...
after the resignation of Leo M. Reinbold
Leo M. Reinbold
Leo M. Reinbold is a North Dakota Republican Party politician who served as North Dakota Public Service Commissioner from 1981 to 2003.-Biography:...
. 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 BergRick Berg
Richard Alan Berg is the U.S. Representative for . Berg serves on the House Ways and Means Committee. He is a member of the Republican Party. Previously, he served in the state House of Representatives. He served as Majority Leader and Speaker.-Early life, education, and pre-political career:Berg...
. Cramer was then nominated for re-election to the Public Service Commission.