Doug Burgum

Doug Burgum
Born	(1956-08-01) August 1, 1956 Arthur, North Dakota, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, politician
Years active	1983–present
Known for	33rd Governor of North Dakota (2016–2024), 55th United States Secretary of the Interior (2025–present)

Douglas James Burgum ( ; born August 1, 1956) is an American entrepreneur and political figure currently serving as the 55th United States Secretary of the Interior since 2025, appointed by President Donald Trump. A member of the Republican Party, he previously held office as the 33rd governor of North Dakota from 2016 through 2024.

Originating from Arthur, North Dakota, Burgum completed his undergraduate studies at North Dakota State University in 1978 and obtained an MBA from Stanford University in 1980. In 1983, he secured a loan against inherited farmland to invest in Great Plains Software, based in Fargo, where he became president in 1984. He guided the company through its initial public offering in 1997 and orchestrated its sale to Microsoft for $1.1 billion in 2001. Following the acquisition, Burgum oversaw Microsoft Business Solutions. Additionally, he served as chairman of the board for Australian software companies Atlassian and SuccessFactors. He is the founder of Kilbourne Group, a real estate development enterprise headquartered in Fargo, and co-founder of Arthur Ventures, a venture capital firm specializing in software.

Burgum secured a decisive victory in the 2016 North Dakota gubernatorial election and was re-elected with a substantial margin in 2020. In June 2023, he announced his candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination but withdrew in December of that year, subsequently providing energy policy guidance to the Donald Trump 2024 presidential campaign. On November 14, 2024, President-elect Trump revealed plans to nominate Burgum as Secretary of the Interior. The Senate confirmed his appointment on January 30, 2025, and he officially assumed office on February 1, 2025.

Early life

Douglas Burgum was born on August 1, 1956, in Arthur, North Dakota, to parents Katherine ( Kilbourne) and Joseph Boyd Burgum. He has two siblings: a brother named Bradley and a sister named Barbara. His grandfather established a grain elevator in Arthur in 1906, which evolved into an ongoing family-owned agribusiness.

The passing of his father during Burgum’s freshman year of high school had a profound impact on him. He graduated from North Dakota State University (NDSU) in 1978 where he served as student body president and was affiliated with Sigma Alpha Epsilon. While attending college, he initiated a small business specializing in chimney sweeping.

Burgum earned his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1980, where he formed a friendship with future Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

Great Plains Software

Following completion of his MBA, Burgum relocated to Chicago to join McKinsey & Company as a management consultant.

In March 1983, Burgum leveraged $250,000 by mortgaging farmland to invest in Great Plains Software, an accounting software firm located in Fargo. Initially holding a 2.5% share, he took on the role of vice president of marketing. By 1984, he led a group of investors—including family members—to acquire majority control from founder Joseph C. Larson, who retained a minority position.

Throughout the 1980s, Fortune consistently recognized Great Plains as one of the top 100 workplaces nationwide. Under Burgum’s leadership, the company expanded to approximately 250 employees and generated $300 million in annual revenue by 1989, utilizing internet technology to extend its reach beyond North Dakota. He acknowledged North Dakota State University as an essential source of talent for the firm. The company went public in 1997 and acquired Match Data Systems—a development team based in the Philippines—in 1999.

In late 2000, Microsoft announced plans to acquire Great Plains for $1.1 billion in stock; the transaction was finalized in April 2001. At that time, Burgum owned a 10% equity stake in the company.

Microsoft

Following the acquisition, Burgum assumed the role of senior vice president for the Microsoft Business Solutions Group, which was created from the GPS division. During his tenure at Microsoft, his focus was on enterprise software applications. In 2005, he contemplated resigning from his senior vice president position to take on the chairman role within Microsoft Business Solutions. By September 2006, Burgum revealed his intention to depart from Microsoft completely by the following year.

Investment firms

In 2008, Burgum co-established Arthur Ventures, a venture capital firm dedicated to investments in technology, life sciences, and clean energy sectors. The firm began with a $20 million fund concentrating initially on enterprises in North Dakota and Minnesota. By 2013, Arthur Ventures had broadened its reach to include Nebraska, Missouri, Arizona, and Iowa.

Burgum also created the Kilbourne Group, a real estate development firm focused on revitalizing downtown Fargo. In 2013, he announced plans for a 23-story mixed-use building—known as Block 9 or Dakota Place—which was completed in 2020 and is now called the RDO Building. The Kilbourne Group has been an advocate for establishing a downtown Fargo convention center and has acquired multiple properties including the former St. Mark's Lutheran Church and Woodrow Wilson alternative high school. Many of Burgum’s investments continue to be concentrated in Fargo.

In 2009, Burgum was encouraged to pursue the presidency of North Dakota State University, but in 2010 the position was awarded to Dean Bresciani.

Governor of North Dakota (2016–2024)

Prior to his political career, Burgum publicly supported Republican Steve Sydness in the 1988 U.S. Senate race for North Dakota. He also backed Republican candidates John Hoeven in the 2008 gubernatorial election and Jack Dalrymple in 2012.

2016

Burgum declared his candidacy for governor as a Republican in 2016 despite lacking previous political office experience. Although he did not secure the party’s endorsement, which went to longtime Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, Burgum triumphed over him in the primary by a wide margin. In the general election, he captured more than three-quarters of the vote, defeating Democrat Marvin Nelson and Libertarian Marty Riske. He officially assumed office on December 15, 2016, alongside his running mate Brent Sanford.

2020

In the 2020 gubernatorial race, Burgum won reelection with a commanding majority exceeding 65% of the vote.

Tenure

During both of Burgum’s terms, North Dakota maintained a robust fossil fuel sector. In 2021, he announced an ambitious objective for the state to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, utilizing technologies such as carbon capture and storage, enhanced oil recovery methods, and carbon sequestration through agriculture. This initiative attracted $25 billion in private investment, as Burgum highlighted during a North Dakota petroleum council meeting.

On December 20, 2022, Brent Sanford stepped down as lieutenant governor to reenter the private sector. Burgum appointed Tammy Miller, a business executive, who was sworn in on January 2, 2023.

Burgum has regularly awarded the Rough Rider Award—the state’s premier civilian honor—to distinguished individuals like Virgil Hill, Steve D. Scheel, and Clint Hill.

In January 2023, Burgum and other officials threatened legal challenges against Minnesota following its enactment of a law requiring carbon-free electricity by 2040; Minnesota’s governor signed this legislation in February. To combat teacher shortages within North Dakota, Burgum created a Teacher Retention and Recruitment task force that brought together various stakeholders.

In October 2023, Burgum publicly condemned Hamas after attacks left 84 North Dakotans stranded during a church tour in Bethlehem.

On March 20, 2023, he vetoed legislation that would have increased the interstate speed limit in the state to 80 mph. Throughout the 2023 legislative session, Burgum approved bills that exempted National Guard and reserve members from paying state income taxes and authorized more than $500 million in tax relief measures.

Following a state Supreme Court ruling declaring the budget unconstitutional due to violations of the single-subject rule, a special legislative session convened on October 22, 2023. Burgum signed off on fourteen separate budget bills during this expedited three-day session.

On January 22, 2024, Burgum announced he would not pursue a third gubernatorial term. Subsequently, on February 21, he endorsed Lieutenant Governor Tammy Miller as his preferred successor. Miller was defeated in the primary by U.S. Representative Kelly Armstrong, who then won the general election and became North Dakota’s thirty-fourth governor.

2024 presidential campaign

In March 2023, Burgum expressed interest in seeking the presidency in the 2024 United States presidential election. On June 5, he hinted at an upcoming significant announcement via Twitter and formally launched his campaign on June 7 with a Wall Street Journal feature article, website debut, and rally held in Fargo. Shortly thereafter, he began campaigning across Iowa.

Burgum reportedly outspent all other contenders on advertising efforts. He secured endorsements from North Dakota’s entire congressional delegation: Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, as well as Representative Kelly Armstrong. Additionally, actor Josh Duhamel renewed his endorsement of Burgum’s presidential bid.

He expressed support for the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision based on states’ rights to regulate abortion but committed not to endorse a nationwide abortion ban if elected president. Regarding foreign policy, Burgum adopted a hawkish stance toward China, characterizing U.S.-China relations as akin to a "cold war." To meet donor thresholds required for debate participation beginning July 10, he offered $20 gift cards for donations of any size—a tactic that achieved its goal but attracted social media criticism. Federal authorities have not declared this fundraising method illegal.

Burgum qualified for the September GOP debate but did not meet criteria for inclusion in the November debate held in Miami.

On December 4, citing dissatisfaction with the Republican National Committee’s stringent donation and polling requirements for debates, Burgum suspended his presidential campaign.

Speculation Regarding the Vice Presidency

Throughout his campaign, Burgum declared he would decline any offer for the vice presidency or a cabinet role if he was not chosen as the presidential nominee, which led many to anticipate that he would pursue a third gubernatorial term in the 2024 North Dakota gubernatorial election. However, on January 22, 2024, he revealed his decision not to seek re-election.

Prior to the Iowa caucuses, Burgum publicly endorsed former president Donald Trump and actively campaigned on his behalf. Trump expressed admiration for Burgum and hinted at wanting him in a significant position within his administration, later describing him as "very good" potential vice president, though no final choice was made. Burgum also represented Trump at the North Dakota caucuses. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer identified Burgum as a top contender for a cabinet appointment, with secretary of energy being the most probable role. Throughout the primary season, Burgum gained prominence on Trump's shortlist for vice president; on May 2, Trump included him among four finalists alongside senators Marco Rubio, Tim Scott, and J.D. Vance.

At the Republican National Convention, Burgum was ultimately not selected as Trump's vice-presidential candidate. Insiders from the campaign reported that although Trump preferred Burgum, he was persuaded by his sons Donald Jr. and Eric to opt for Vance instead.

During the 2024 campaign, Burgum served as Trump's principal advisor on energy policy. Axios noted that among Trump's vice-presidential prospects, he was the most frequent surrogate on the campaign trail.

Nomination and Senate Confirmation

On November 15, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced Burgum's nomination for the position of United States Secretary of the Interior in his forthcoming administration. The Department of the Interior is responsible for managing public lands, natural resources, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Trump's primary instruction to Burgum focused on aggressively expanding oil drilling operations. In addition, Burgum was designated as Trump's "energy czar," tasked with overseeing deregulation and facilitating private sector investments while holding a seat on the National Security Council.

Burgum's nomination received robust backing from Republican senators such as John Barrasso, Dan Sullivan, and Tim Sheehy, along with support from several tribal leaders. Nevertheless, environmental organizations voiced criticism over his connections to the fossil fuel industry, including his support for the pro-coal Lignite Energy Council.

During his testimony before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Burgum described public lands as an integral component of America's financial "balance sheet," advocating for extensive extraction of oil, gas, and minerals to secure "energy dominance" and diminish dependence on foreign fuel imports from nations like Russia and Iran. While recognizing climate change as a global issue, he emphasized prioritizing fossil fuel production expansion as essential to national security.

The committee approved his nomination with an 18–2 vote on January 23, 2025. Subsequently, on January 30, 2025, Burgum was confirmed by the Senate with a 79–18 vote, representing one of the most bipartisan cabinet confirmations since Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Tenure

Burgum was officially sworn in as the fifty-fifth Secretary of the Interior on February 1, 2025. His primary agenda emphasized deregulation and boosting natural resource extraction. He issued directives to expedite project approvals and permitting processes while removing regulations linked to the Inflation Reduction Act. To support his administration, Burgum nominated Andrea Travnicek, a fellow North Dakotan with experience in his gubernatorial cabinet and the Senate Energy Committee, as assistant secretary.

Numerous tribes commended Burgum for protecting indigenous programs from budget cuts affecting government diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

He spearheaded the initiative to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America," collaborating with mapping organizations to implement the change. On February 18, former President Trump announced that Burgum would chair the newly formed "National Energy Dominance Council," with Secretary of Energy Chris Wright appointed as vice-chair. Burgum also delivered a speech at the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference.

In March, Burgum called for the use of emergency powers to maintain coal plant operations and stressed the importance of increasing energy output by expanding drilling activities on federal lands. Additionally, he revealed a collaboration with the Department of Housing and Urban Development aimed at creating affordable housing developments on public lands.

Later that month, following an executive order from Trump, Burgum authorized oil drilling on 1.53 million acres within Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

In April, he halted a $5 billion offshore wind project by Equinor near New York City as part of a broader initiative to curb offshore wind developments. This suspension faced legal opposition, allowing Equinor to proceed despite the directive.

By May 15, 2025, Burgum completed all necessary financial disclosures and divestments, including farmland assets in North Dakota and Minnesota. He stepped down from leadership roles at his agronomy startup Arthur Ventures and from the board of Kilbourne Group real estate.

At the Western Governors Association gathering on June 23, Burgum sidestepped questions regarding proposed sales of 250 million acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service under the "Big Beautiful Bill." Instead, he focused on advocating for expanded extraction of rare earth metals and energy resources on western public lands. A demonstration led by former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland condemned his emphasis on corporate interests over local community welfare. Burgum claimed he was unaware of the land sales provision, which was subsequently removed before Trump signed the legislation.

His suggestion to establish a centralized wildfire firefighting agency met resistance from New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, who supported continued management by the Forest Service.

On July 17, 2025, Burgum joined Attorney General Pam Bondi in a visit to Alcatraz Island following Trump's comments about reopening its defunct prison facility.

Political positions

Burgum has openly criticized President Joe Biden’s administration through social media posts and public remarks. During his 2016 campaign, he described himself as socially moderate while maintaining fiscal conservatism.

Energy and environment

Burgum is a strong proponent of the fossil fuel sector, especially within North Dakota's Bakken area. He champions the Dakota Access Pipeline and highlights American energy independence as a critical national security concern. Burgum opposes financial incentives for electric vehicles and advocates for opening Bureau of Land Management lands to energy-related activities such as rare earth mineral extraction and oil and gas development. His goal is to achieve carbon neutrality in North Dakota by 2030, pledging to reduce regulatory burdens on the gas industry while simultaneously backing clean energy initiatives.

He has also voiced criticism toward the Biden administration’s efforts to phase out gas stoves in some new residential construction projects.

CO2 pipelines

Burgum has been a vocal supporter of carbon capture pipeline projects, permitting companies like Summit Carbon Solutions, Navigator CO₂ Ventures, and Wolf Carbon Solutions to exercise eminent domain for pipeline installation. These pipelines transport surplus carbon dioxide from ethanol production facilities in Iowa to underground storage sites in North Dakota. Despite resistance from rural property owners concerned about potential leaks and land seizures, Burgum underscored the economic and environmental advantages of carbon capture technology, emphasizing its role in sustaining traditional internal combustion vehicle use. While expressing opposition to eminent domain itself, he remains a proponent of carbon capture efforts.

Abortion

In his 2016 bid for governor, Burgum referred to women as "unsafe" prior to Roe v. Wade. By 2024, he advocated for abortion regulations to be decided at the state level. In April 2023, he enacted a near-total abortion prohibition in North Dakota. During his presidential campaign, he opposed a federal abortion ban, preferring that each state determine its own policies. Burgum supported the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade.

Gun rights

Burgum received an A rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund and has signed several laws that expand access to firearms. He has openly expressed his enthusiasm for hunting.

Mental health

Kathryn Burgum, his wife, has publicly discussed her experiences with addiction and suicidal ideation, stating that as First Lady she would focus on tackling the "behavior health crisis," reducing stigma, and reforming mental health insurance coverage. Burgum identifies addiction as a fundamental cause behind numerous social challenges such as crime and homelessness. He proposes comprehensive reforms to mental health care reimbursement systems and encourages private sector participation in funding substance use disorder treatments. As governor, he converted certain North Dakota correctional facilities into mental health-centered institutions—a model he intends to promote at the federal level.

National security

Burgum has deployed the North Dakota National Guard multiple times to support Texas along its southern border. In 2022, he joined 25 governors in establishing the American Governors' Border Strike Force aimed at combating illegal immigration and human trafficking. He considers energy independence essential for countering geopolitical influence from China and Russia.

During the 2024 Republican debate in Milwaukee, Burgum identified China as America’s foremost threat and called for deploying "anti-warship missiles in Taiwan." He criticized President Biden’s foreign aid to Ukraine and hostage negotiations with Iran, attributing responsibility for the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel to Iran and blaming Biden’s release of $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds for emboldening Tehran.

Cybersecurity

In 2019, Burgum enacted legislation to create a centralized cybersecurity operations hub for North Dakota’s extensive network, which serves over 250,000 users across 400 state and local government agencies within the Executive Branch’s IT Department (NDIT). Under his leadership, NDIT introduced a Multi-State Security Operations Center aimed at improving the exchange of threat intelligence and coordinating cybersecurity initiatives among participating states. In 2023, he approved House Bill 1398, which requires all K-12 students in North Dakota to receive cybersecurity education, making the state the pioneer in mandating such instruction.

LGBTQ rights

In July 2020, Burgum described the Republican platform on LGBTQ matters as "divisive and divisional." Nonetheless, during the 2023 legislative session, he endorsed several veto-proof measures regarded as anti-transgender, including an almost complete prohibition on gender-affirming treatments for minors and limitations on the use of transgender pronouns and bathroom access.

Education

On November 12, 2021, Burgum signed legislation prohibiting the teaching of critical race theory in North Dakota’s K-12 schools. During the initial 2024 Republican primary debate held in Milwaukee, he voiced concerns that federal regulations impede school operations and that excessive bureaucracy restricts educators’ ability to innovate.

Entitlements

Burgum advocates for maintaining current entitlement programs with federal safeguards while pushing for enhanced federal efficiency to increase funding availability for these programs. In 2021, he signed a statute exempting Social Security benefits from North Dakota’s state income tax.

Personal life

Burgum married Karen Stoker in 1991; they had three children before their divorce in 2003. In 2016, he wed Kathryn Helgaas, who as North Dakota’s first lady has spearheaded the Recovery Reinvented initiative focused on addiction and recovery support. His daughter Jesse runs a film production company and earned recognition on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list.

During his 2024 presidential campaign, Burgum mentioned his enjoyment of Keith Urban’s music alongside television series such as Yellowstone and Ted Lasso.

Board work

Burgum has served on the advisory board for the Stanford Graduate School of Business and was a board member of SuccessFactors during the 2000s, chairing it from 2007 until its acquisition by SAP in 2011. In 2012, he became Atlassian’s first board chairman following its expansion beyond an initial trio of directors. Between 2011 and 2014, Burgum twice assumed the role of interim CEO at Intelligent InSites, where he has been executive board chair since 2008. That same year, he joined Avalara’s board of directors.

Philanthropy

In 2001, Burgum donated a renovated school building to North Dakota State University—Renaissance Hall—which accommodates the visual arts department, architecture and landscape architecture programs, as well as the Tri-College University office. He founded the Doug Burgum Family Fund in 2008 to support initiatives related to youth, education, and health. In 2011, the Burgum family contributed approximately $800,000 to Fargo’s Plains Art Museum to fund its Center for Creativity, named in honor of Burgum’s mother, Katherine Kilbourne Burgum.

Awards and honors

Burgum was conferred honorary doctorate degrees by North Dakota State University in 2000 and by the University of Mary in 2006. In 2009, Governor John Hoeven presented him with the prestigious Theodore Roosevelt Roughrider Award.

External links

• Official website of the Governor
• Doug Burgum's campaign website