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N.D. (AP) – Former Microsoft executive Doug Burgum has defeated Rolla Rep. Marvin Nelson in North Dakota’s election for governor.

The Fargo businessman was a heavy favorite in a state that has not had a Democratic governor since 1992. Republican Gov. Jack Dalrymple decided not to seek re-election.

The matchup focused on qualifications to lead the state amid declining oil revenues.

Burgum is known in North Dakota as the ”godfather of software” for building Fargo’s Great Plains Software into a billion-dollar business, which he later sold to Microsoft.

Libertarian Marty Riske also ran for Governor.