Cramer to bypass Republican endorsement process

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — U.S. House candidate Kevin Cramer says he'll bypass the North Dakota Republican Party's endorsing convention in April and take his campaign straight to the June primary.

Cramer says that President Barack Obama and his Democratic allies in Congress "must be stopped," and that "every Republican should have a wide-open opportunity to robustly debate and participate in this process."

Cramer's move will pit him against the party-endorsed candidate in the June primary. Five candidates are now competing for the GOP endorsement: former state commerce director Shane Goettle (GET'-uhl), Public Service Commissioner Brian Kalk, state Reps. Kim Koppelman and Bette Grande (BET'-ee GRAN'-dee), and former independent gubernatorial candidate DuWayne Hendrickson. Cramer is a public service commissioner.

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