On Nov. 4, voters will decide who the next elected tax commissioner will be. Incumbent Ryan Rauschenberger and challenger Jason Astrup are both seeking to be elected to the position for the first time. Libertarian candidate Anthony Mangnall also is on the ballot.
Rauschenberger, who served as the deputy tax commissioner from July 2009 through December 2013, was appointed tax commissioner on Jan. 1. Before joining the tax department, Rauschenberger worked at the Department of Commerce. Prior to that, he was an associate accountant at PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
Rauschenberger is a graduate of the University of North Dakota, with a degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business administration.
Astrup owns Astrup Law Office in Fargo, specializing in business and tax law as well as real estate planning. He is a 2001 graduate of the University of Jamestown, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and a 2004 graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Law.
During his time in law school, Astrup spent time on Capitol Hill interning for the U.S. Senate Budget Committee.
All three candidates cite property tax relief as their highest priority. Although the tax commissioner can only propose legislation, the budget proposals and input are useful in crafting the executive budget and for lawmakers to consider during the legislative session.
The Astrup campaign maintains that Rauschenberger’s recent unpaid leave of absence for substance abuse treatment is reason to vote him out of office. While Rauschenberger could have been more forthcoming about his condition at the onset, it does not preclude him from holding office if treatment is successful.
An important responsibility of the tax department will be providing accurate financial analysis of proposed legislation, in order to understand the fiscal impact. With the approaching legislative session, budget surplus and predictable number of requests, it will be a critical function of the department.
As the state’s population increases, more tax returns will be filed and more oversight will be needed.
Being able to operate efficiently, implement new technologies and streamline systems will continue to be essential qualities the tax commissioner must possess.
Rauschenberger has demonstrated he is capable of effectively leading the state tax department in the future. He has a solid track record of performance since joining the department in 2009, has exhibited a willingness to adapt to change and will continue to serve the state well. We endorse Ryan Rauschenberger.
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