Marty Rikse

Marty Riske was Chair of the Libertarian Party of North Dakota in the 1990s. In 2016, he is candidate for Governor of North Dakota.

Biography

"Fargo businessman Marty Riske has announced his candidacy for Governor of North Dakota. Riske, former State Chair of the Libertarian Party in North Dakota, is a first time candidate.

Citing widespread grassroots support and calls for him to run, Riske said, “With so many critical issues facing our state and the support of so many throughout North Dakota, I have decided to enter the race for governor of North Dakota.”

Also important to Riske was the issue of declining revenues and budget shortfalls in the coming years. “I will fight to keep more of our tax dollars in North Dakota so those dollars may strengthen our schools, our infrastructure and our communities.” Riske said, “As governor I will commission independent auditors to examine each department to compare mission to execution. Those departments and agencies that are underperforming will be shown to all of us and our legislators so that we can cut back to keep those performing well.”

Also, Riske said, “Government in N.D. has gotten way too big, and both D’s and R’s are to blame. It’s time to look beyond the establishment parties for leadership in our state. As Governor, I would work to drastically shrink government and the spending that comes with it, along with restoring your personal liberties and freedom to live your life as you see fit.”

Riske is a native of Grafton. He received his B.A. in Journalism and English and his B.A. from the University of North Dakota. In 1971, he came back to North Dakota to found The Walrus which became a chain of waterbed and furniture stores in 6 North Dakota cities. Next Riske opened Take 2 Video stores, Trim 7 which became M.J. Capelli Family Hair Salons, Take 2 Express with locations in 163 towns in the upper midwest, HomeCade Manitoba of Winnipeg, VidCycle and Gadget Garage."