By Dave Thompson

BISMARCK, N.D. (Prairie Public News) – An effort is underway to recall Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov Brent Sanford.

The sponsoring committee is chaired by Michael Coachman of Larimore, who unsuccessfully ran for the GOP nomination for Governor in the past.

The petition says the two officials are being recalled for the reasons of “contempt of the voters and negligence in office.”

But getting the signatures could be a challenge. The committee needs 89,464 valid signatures within one year.

The NDGOP slammed the recall efforts and released the following statement:

“This recall effort is misguided and will undoubtedly fail. Governor Burgum was overwhelmingly re-elected by North Dakota voters less than one year ago by nearly the largest margin of any candidate for governor in the nation.”