Rick Becker

Rick Becker is an American businessman and politician from Bismarck. He served in the North Dakota House of Representatives as an Independent, having been elected as a Republican.[1]

This article is about the North Dakota politician. For other uses, see Richard Becker.
Rick Becker
Becker at the 2022 Hazlitt Summit hosted by Young Americans for Liberty Foundation
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
Political partyRepublican (before 2022)
Independent (2022–present)
SpouseAnne Becker
Children4
EducationUniversity of North Dakota (BS)
University of North Dakota (MD)

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.[2] Becker has often been described as a proponent of far-right politics, and was a founder of the ultraconservative Bastiat Caucus.[3][4][5][6] He was a candidate for Governor of North Dakota in the 2016 gubernatorial election.[7] He considered running in the run for the US Senate against incumbent Heidi Heitkamp, but ultimately decided against a run.[8] 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.[9] He placed third in the general election, having received 18.5% of the vote.

Political views

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."[10] Becker has voluntarily requested officials to rescind[11] 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."[12] 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."[13]

63rd legislative session

During his first session in 2013, Becker gained notoriety for being a staunch fiscal hawk and civil libertarian. He 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.[9]

64th legislative session

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.[14] 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.[15]

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.[16] His bill to ban DUI checkpoints garnered significant controversy but ultimately failed.

65th legislative session

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.[17] This effort included an aggressive social media campaign, website and grassroots organizing headed by his former gubernatorial campaign staff.[18] Some in the media reported division amongst the ranks of the Republican Party and efforts by leadership to thwart Becker's legislative initiatives.

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.[19] He also introduced legislation on free speech protections on college campuses that would eliminate "safe spaces"[20] and a bill decriminalizing marijuana.[21] 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,[22] Becker decided to put forward legislation to provide school choice in North Dakota. His bill, which would establish education savings accounts, was introduced.[23]

2016 gubernatorial campaign
Rick Becker on stage with his grandson at the March 3rd, 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.[24] 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. 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.[25]

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.[26]

2018 U.S. Senate election
Main article: 2018 United States Senate election in North Dakota

Becker was seen as a potential candidate for the U.S. Senate race in 2018 against incumbent Democrat Heidi Heitkamp. However, on January 2, Becker announced on Facebook that he would not enter the race. Instead, he announced his plans to seek reelection to the state house, stating, "I know I can make a difference in North Dakota, and I am worried about giving up such an important opportunity and responsibility".[8]

2022 U.S. Senate campaign
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.[27] On February 6, he announced he would primary incumbent U.S. Senator John Hoeven in the 2022 election.[28] Becker was defeated by Hoeven at the GOP convention on April 2, by a vote of 1,224 (54%) to 1,037 (46%).[29] 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.[30]

Electoral history
  • 2012 Race for North Dakota's House of Representatives – District 07[31]
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[32]
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[26]
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
  1. "Representative Rick Becker | North Dakota Legislative Branch". Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 2022-02-13.
  2. "Rep. Rick Becker running for governor". The Bismarck Tribune. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  3. "Some in GOP reject Rick Becker claim of gains for far right". KFYR TV. 2022-11-10. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  4. Easter, Sam (2022-02-07). "Bismarck's Rick Becker faces 'uphill battle' in GOP primary bid against Hoeven". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  5. "North Dakota head of far-right legislative caucus retiring". AP News. 2022-01-20. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  6. "Hoeven faces far-right challenge at state GOP convention". AP News. 2022-03-30. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  7. "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.
  8. "Rick Becker, Bismarck state legislator, rules out run for Congress". Archived from the original on 2018-01-07. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  9. "North Dakota's Becker to seek Hoeven's Senate seat after all". AP NEWS. 2022-08-15. Archived from the original on 2022-09-20. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  10. "Q&A with Rick Becker, candidate for the Republican nomination for North Dakota governor | Grand Forks Herald". Archived from the original on 2015-12-12.
  11. "Becker Renaissance Zone | PDF". Archived from the original on 2016-05-06. Retrieved 2016-08-31.
  12. 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 15 June 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  13. "Does North Dakota Have Too Many Colleges?". 27 June 2017. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  14. "Effort to eliminate Common Core defeated in House". Bismarck Tribune. Archived from the original on October 27, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  15. "ND lawmakers hear five hours of arguments on bill to withdraw..." INFORUM. Archived from the original on November 28, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  16. 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.
  17. "The new N.D.? A tight fist and an open heart". 10 January 2017. Archived from the original on 12 January 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  18. "Bastiat Caucus". Archived from the original on 2017-02-01. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  19. "Bill would allow gun owners to conceal and carry without a permit in North Dakota". 9 January 2017. Archived from the original on 14 January 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  20. "ND bill would take aim at 'safe spaces' in higher ed". Archived from the original on 2018-04-11. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  21. "Marijuana decriminalization may not have intended results". Archived from the original on 2017-04-23. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  22. 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 15 June 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  23. "Education savings account bill generates opposition". 25 January 2017. Archived from the original on 11 April 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  24. Rick Becker for Governor – Announcement Video, YouTube, archived from the original on 2016-03-10, retrieved 2015-11-11
  25. "Ron Paul endorses Becker for governor". Archived from the original on 2016-01-17. Retrieved 2016-07-12.
  26. "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 2016-04-05.
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. "Hoeven ekes out win against Becker for endorsement". 3 April 2022. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  30. "Rick Becker announces run for U.S. Senate". 15 August 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-08-16. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  31. "North Dakota Secretary of State". Archived from the original on 2022-12-25. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  32. "North Dakota Secretary of State". Archived from the original on 2017-08-07. Retrieved 2017-08-07.
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