Gov. Doug Burgum today announced the resignation of Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford, thanking him for his six years of service to the citizens of North Dakota. Sanford’s last day in office will be Jan. 2

Sanford cited a desire to return to the private section and focus on his family and career. He is a certified public accountant who served as mayor of Watford City and owned and operated a third-generation auto dealership there before running for statewide office with Burgum in 2016.

Burgum will announce his appointment to serve the remaining two years of Sanford’s term during a press conference at 12:15 p.m. today in Memorial Hall of the State Capitol. The press conference will be livestreamed on the governor’s Facebook page.