Kirsten Baesler
2013 - Present
2029
12
Kirsten Baesler is the North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction. She assumed office on January 2, 2013. Her current term ends on January 1, 2029.
Baesler ran for re-election for North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Biography
Baesler began her career in public schools as a library assistant. From there she became a library media specialist and an assistant principal in the Bismarck Public School District.[1]
Education
- Two associate degrees, Bismarck State College
- B.A., in education, Minot State University
- M.A., in education/Library Information Technology, Valley City State University[2]
Political career
North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction (2013 - Present)
Baesler has served as North Dakota superintendent of public instruction since January 2, 2013.[1]
Domestic violence arrest
Baesler was arrested and briefly held in the Burleigh County Detention Center on February 15, 2015, for one count of misdemeanor simple assault. The arrest stemmed from a confrontation between Baesler and fiance Todd Tschosik that left Tschosik with what police described as a "visible injury as well as dried blood on his face."[3] A spokesman for the superintendent's office noted that Baesler was concerned about her safety, indicating that the incident was not the first time she felt at risk. Baesler posted a $150 bond on the same day as her arrest and was released from the detention center.[3] In March 2015, law enforcement announced it would not file charges against Baesler.[4]
Common Core
In May 2014, Baesler supported the Common Core education standards and was helping to implement them in North Dakota. Baesler has said that the "purpose of the standards is to make sure our students are college and career ready after graduation." In a public meeting hosted by the Bismarck Mandan Chamber of Commerce, Baesler sat with a panel of principals, superintendents and educators to demonstrate the transparency of North Dakota's efforts to follow Common Core. They expressed the efforts North Dakota had made to work with educators and include parents in meeting the new standards. Baesler also noted that she had no power to end the standards and that only the legislature has that power.[5]
In a hearing before the Interim Education Funding Committee, Baesler stated that she had received no complaints from either parents or educators about the new Common Core changes and welcomed further discussion of Common Core to encourage understanding of the standards.[6]
Mandan School Board (2004-2012)
Baesler served on the Mandan School Board from 2004 to December 2012. She was President from 2005 to 2012.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction election, 2024
General election
General election for North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction
Incumbent Kirsten Baesler defeated Jason Heitkamp in the general election for North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Kirsten Baesler (Nonpartisan) | 56.9 | 185,318 | |
| Jason Heitkamp (Nonpartisan) | 42.4 | 138,085 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.7 | 2,316 | ||
| Total votes: 325,719 | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction
Incumbent Kirsten Baesler and Jason Heitkamp defeated Jim Bartlett and Darko Draganic in the primary for North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction on June 11, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Kirsten Baesler (Nonpartisan) | 54.9 | 59,170 | |
| ✔ | Jason Heitkamp (Nonpartisan) | 22.1 | 23,837 | |
| Jim Bartlett (Nonpartisan) | 19.7 | 21,216 | ||
| Darko Draganic (Nonpartisan) | 3.1 | 3,320 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 280 | ||
| Total votes: 107,823 | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Baesler in this election.
2020
See also: North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction election, 2020
General election
General election for North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction
Incumbent Kirsten Baesler defeated Brandt Dick and Charles Tuttle in the general election for North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Kirsten Baesler (Nonpartisan) | 59.1 | 192,835 | |
| Brandt Dick (Nonpartisan) | 39.9 | 130,280 | ||
| Charles Tuttle (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.9 | 3,005 | ||
| Total votes: 326,120 | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction
Incumbent Kirsten Baesler and Brandt Dick defeated Charles Tuttle in the primary for North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction on June 9, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Kirsten Baesler (Nonpartisan) | 54.2 | 76,987 | |
| ✔ | Brandt Dick (Nonpartisan) | 25.8 | 36,733 | |
| Charles Tuttle (Nonpartisan) | 19.7 | 27,929 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 456 | ||
| Total votes: 142,105 | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Note: According to the office of the North Dakota Secretary of State, write-in votes are not itemized to specific candidates unless the write-in candidates received 10% of what the top vote-getter received for that office.[7]
2016
Baesler ran for North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2016. She competed with challenger Joe Chiang in the November 8 general election.[8]
Incumbent Kirsten Baesler defeated Joe Chiang in the North Dakota superintendent of schools election.
| North Dakota Superintendent of Schools, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
 Kirsten Baesler Incumbent |
74.60% | 220,079 | ||
| Joe Chiang | 24.86% | 73,350 | ||
| Write-in votes | 0.54% | 1,598 | ||
| Total Votes | 295,027 | |||
| Source: North Dakota Secretary of State | ||||
Incumbent Kirsten Baesler and Joe Chiang were unopposed in the primary for superintendent.
| Primary for superintendent, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Kirsten Baesler Incumbent |
72.03% | 84,515 |
| Joe Chiang |
27.71% | 32,518 |
| Write-in votes | 0.25% | 297 |
| Total Votes (432 of 432 precincts reporting) | 117,330 | |
| Source: North Dakota Secretary of State | ||
2012
Baesler won election as North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2012. She won Republican Party support during the party's convention, where she defeated Rep. David Monson by a vote of 863-725.[9] Baesler defeated Max Laird and Tracy Potter in the primary on June 12, coming in first.[10] She defeated Potter in the general election on November 6, 2012.[11]
| North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction General Election, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan | Kirsten Baesler |
55.1% | 154,177 | |
| Nonpartisan | Tracy Potter | 44.6% | 124,807 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0.4% | 1,069 | |
| Total Votes | 280,053 | |||
| Election results via North Dakota Secretary of State | ||||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Kirsten Baesler did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Kirsten Baesler did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2016
Baesler's campaign website included the following statement: " As Superintendent of Public Instruction, Baesler is committed to providing the best possible learning environment and educational experience to every child to be successful beyond high school."[12]
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Noteworthy events
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Arrest, 2020
In February 2020, Baesler was stopped by police and arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.[13] North Dakota Highway Patrol reported that Baesler was swerving on Interstate 94 for two miles, pulled over, and then failed a horizontal gaze nystagmus sobriety test before being arrested.[13] She was charged with a Class B misdemeanor for driving under the influence of alcohol.[13]
On March 11, 2020, Baesler pleaded guilty. She received one year of probation, a suspended 10-day jail sentence, $500 in fines, and $250 in court fees. She was also ordered to complete any recommended treatment for chemical dependency within six months.[14]
See also
| North Dakota | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
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External links
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Candidate North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction |
Officeholder North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedbio - ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Kirsten Baesler's Biography," accessed Oct. 3, 2015
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Inforum, "ND state superintendent of public instruction Kirsten Baesler arrested for domestic violence," February 15, 2015
- ↑ The Bismarck Tribune, "Charge against Baesler dropped," March 20, 2015
- ↑ KFYR-TV 5, "Common Core Standards Continue To Raise Debates," May 31, 2014
- ↑ The Bismarck Tribune, "Baesler talks Common Core with committee," January 29, 2014
- ↑ North Dakota Legislature, "Chapter 16.1-15: Canvass of Votes - Canvassing Boards," accessed November 23, 2020
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedcandlist - ↑ Grand Forks Herald, "Baesler backed by GOP for N.D. school superintendent," April 1, 2012
- ↑ Devils Lake Journal, "ND primary election to be held Tuesday," June 6, 2012
- ↑ Bismark Tribune, "General Election Results," accessed November 6, 2012
- ↑ Kirsten Baesler, "Meet Kirsten Baesler," accessed October 6, 2016
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs nameddui - ↑ AP News, "North Dakota superintendent pleads guilty to DUI charge," March 12, 2020
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction 2013-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Mandan Public Schools Board 2004-2012 |
Succeeded by - |
 |
State of North Dakota Bismarck (capital) |
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