Kevin Cramer

Kevin Cramer
US Senate Photography Studio · Public domain · source
Name	Kevin Cramer
Birth date	March 21, 1961
Birth place	Rolette, North Dakota, U.S.
Party	Republican Party (United States)
Spouse	Kris Cramer
Alma mater	Concordia College (Moorhead) · University of Mary
Office	United States Senator
Term start	January 3, 2019
Predecessor	Heidi Heitkamp

Kevin Cramer is an American politician and public official from North Dakota who has served as a United States Senator since 2019. He previously represented North Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives and served on the North Dakota Public Service Commission. Cramer is a member of the Republican Party and has been active in energy, agriculture, and veterans issues.

Early life and education

Born in Rolette, North Dakota, Cramer grew up in a family engaged in farming and local civic life in the Upper Midwest. He attended Concordia College (Moorhead) where he studied politics and later earned a master's degree from the University of Mary. During his youth he was involved with regional organizations in the Red River Valley and the Great Plains, and he developed ties to institutions such as the Republican Party (United States), North Dakota State University, and community groups in Fargo, North Dakota.

Business career and early political involvement

Cramer worked in private-sector roles tied to agriculture and energy before entering public service, interacting with entities like the North Dakota Grain Growers Association and regional utilities. He served on the staff of federal legislators and state officials, including work connected to committees in the United States House of Representatives and policy initiatives associated with the Bush administration. Early political activity included participation in state Republican campaigns and liaison work with organizations such as the National Rifle Association and the American Farm Bureau Federation.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2012, Cramer represented North Dakota's at-large congressional district from 2013 to 2019. In the House he served on committees with jurisdiction over natural resources and veterans affairs, collaborating with lawmakers from the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the House Committee on Natural Resources, and the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. He introduced and supported legislation affecting the energy sector, working with stakeholders including Continental Resources, Bakken Formation developers, and federal agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management. Cramer voted alongside members of the Republican Study Committee and worked with figures like Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, and John Boehner on budget and policy matters.

North Dakota Public Service Commission and gubernatorial campaign

Prior to his congressional service, Cramer was elected to the North Dakota Public Service Commission, where he focused on utility regulation, pipeline oversight, and energy infrastructure, engaging with companies like Enbridge and issues related to the Dakota Access Pipeline. He ran for governor of North Dakota in 2000, participating in a campaign that involved statewide party organizations, gubernatorial debates, and endorsements from figures in the Republican Party (United States). The gubernatorial campaign highlighted his connections to state institutions such as the North Dakota Legislative Assembly and local media markets in Bismarck, North Dakota.

U.S. Senate

In 2018 Cramer ran for and won a seat in the United States Senate, defeating the incumbent from the Democratic Party (United States)], Heidi Heitkamp. As a senator he has served on committees including the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. He has worked with colleagues such as John Thune, Deb Fischer, Joni Ernst, and Chuck Grassley on legislation related to energy, agriculture, and infrastructure. Cramer has been involved in confirmations and oversight hearings, interacting with administrations including the Trump administration and the Biden administration.

Political positions and voting record

Cramer is aligned with conservative Republican positions on taxation, energy development, and national defense, frequently voting with leaders like Mitch McConnell and coalitions such as the House Freedom Caucus (when he was in the House). He has supported expansion of fossil-fuel production linked to the Bakken Formation and opposed federal regulatory actions by agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency. On social and judicial matters he has voted in favor of confirmations backed by Federalist Society recommendations and has taken stances on immigration policy consistent with party leadership, coordinating with figures such as Kevin McCarthy and Steve Scalise. His voting record reflects participation in major roll calls on appropriations, trade agreements involving the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, and defense authorizations tied to the Department of Defense.

Personal life and honors

Cramer is married to Kris and has three children; the family resides in Bismarck, North Dakota. He has received recognition from state agricultural organizations, veterans groups such as the American Legion, and energy trade associations. Honors and affiliations include acknowledgments from the North Dakota Petroleum Council and endorsements from national figures including Donald Trump during his Senate campaign. He remains active with civic institutions in the Upper Midwest, participating in regional forums and policy discussions involving the Midwest Governors Association and the Great Plains Institute.

Category:Members of the United States Senate from North Dakota Category:Republican Party (United States) politicians from North Dakota Category:Concordia College (Moorhead) alumni