North Dakota House Speaker Kim Koppelman not seeking re-election

(Bismarck, ND) -- North Dakota District 13 Representative and Speaker of the House Kim Koppelman is deciding to not seek re-election.

The decision happened the night before the District 13 Republican Endorsing Convention, where Incumbent Austen Schauer and West Fargo School Board President Jim Jonas received the support of the Republican party. 

"I even considered withdrawing as a candidate before last night's meeting," said Koppelman," but I did not feel that would have been fair to the many who gave of their time and money to attend and support me. I have always believed that one should run for office in order to do something, not in order to be something."

Rep. Koppelman was the first Speaker in state history from West Fargo. His term will finish in December.