Randy Christmann was elected to the North Dakota Public Service Commission in November of 2012. He brings to the Commission a background in agriculture, telecommunications, and 18 years in the North Dakota Senate representing energy country. Most of all, he brings what the Minot Daily News called a “let’s work together” attitude.
Outside of government service, Randy operates a 107-year-old third generation cattle ranch west of Hazen, North Dakota. His wife, Bethanie, is the mortgage loan officer and a vice president at the Union Bank of Beulah, Hazen, and Halliday. Before graduating from Hazen High School in 1978, Randy enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard. He also enrolled at North Dakota State University and graduated from there in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Randy was elected to the North Dakota Senate in 1994 when he upset a long-time incumbent Democrat committee chairman, helping Republicans achieve majority status in the North Dakota Senate. He initially focused mostly on energy, taxation, and natural resources issues.
Governor Ed Schafer appointed Randy to serve as one of the two legislative appointees on the Lignite Research Council. He continued to serve in that position under Governor John Hoeven and Governor Jack Dalrymple. Following the statewide general election in 2000, Senate Republicans chose Randy to serve as their Assistant Majority Leader. He was re-elected to that post every two years through 2012. He also served on the Senate Appropriations Committee.
In 1999 the members of West River Telecommunications Cooperative elected Randy to serve on its board of directors. From then through 2012 WRT nearly doubled in size, growing into a $100 million company with more than 70 employees. They provide telephone and broadband service to part or all of 17 counties in North and South Dakota. West River is also a leader in the development of cellular service in North Dakota. During part of this time Randy also served as the president of the North Dakota Association of Telecommunications Cooperatives.
Randy now brings his agriculture, telecommunications, and energy industry background to the Public Service Commission. His portfolios include:
- Coal mining, reclamation, and abandoned mine lands
- Licensing (grain dealers and auctioneers)
- Weights and measures
- Railroads
Contact Information
North Dakota Public Service Commission
600 E. Boulevard, Dept. 408
Bismarck, ND 58505-0480
701.328.2400