Schneider Nixes Recount in Close N.D. Insurance Commissioner Race

Adam Hamm said he was fielding telephone calls from a reporter about the deadlocked state insurance commissioner’s race when Jasper Schneider, his Democratic election opponent, left a voice mail message Wednesday that he was conceding.

Schneider’s message, played for The Associated Press, congratulated Hamm and thanked him for a “spirited campaign.”

“I think North Dakota is a better place as a result,” Schneider’s message said.

The insurance commissioner’s race had been deadlocked all night with unofficial totals showing the each candidate with about 50 percent of the votes. With all the precincts counted on Nov. 5, unofficial returns gave Hamm 150,710 votes to Schneider’s 148,929.

Secretary of State Al Jaeger said the unofficial totals are “in the area where it is a demand recount,” meaning Schneider could request one.

” If Schneider demands such a recount, they (Schneider’s campaign) will have to pay the cost,” Jaeger said.

A recount could cost at least $10,000 and it might be unlikely to find at least 17 swing votes in each county, Jaeger said. He said the last recounts were legislative districts two years ago.

Schneider said 1,700 votes is a lot to overcome. Asked if he was conceding, he said, “Yes, I hate to admit it.”

Hamm, a former Cass County prosecutor, was appointed insurance commissioner in October 2007 by Gov. John Hoeven to finish the term of incumbent Republican Jim Poolman, who resigned.

Hamm said he wore the same suit and tie on Nov. 5 that he wore when appointed by Hoeven to the job a year ago.

“I figured it was appropriate,” Hamm said. “I’m humbled
voters in North Dakota have elected me as insurance commissioner.
It’s time to put everything in the rearview mirror and get back to
work.”

Associated Press Correspondent Dave Kolpack contributed to this report from Fargo