sanfordbrentBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Burgum has picked Watford City Mayor Brent Sanford as his lieutenant governor running mate.

Burgum made the announcement Thursday.

Sanford is a Watford City native and has been mayor of the oil patch city since 2010. He owns an automobile dealership in the town.

Burgum says Sanford’s experience helped “grow Watford City from a small community to an economic hub while keeping local taxes low and improving the quality of life.”

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem is the GOP’s endorsed candidate for governor. He has picked Bismarck state Sen. Nicole Poolman as his running mate.

North Dakota Democrats have endorsed State Rep. Marvin Nelson of Rolla as their choice for governor. Nelson has chosen New Rockford Sen. Joan Heckaman as his running mate.