Widow to Fill Seat of Late N.D. Senator

Gov. George Sinner on Saturday appointed Jocelyn Burdick, the wife of the late Sen. Quentin N. Burdick (D-N.D.), to temporarily fill her husband’s U.S. Senate seat.

Burdick died Tuesday of heart disease.

Mrs. Burdick, 70, is expected to be sworn in Wednesday. She will serve until a special election is held to fill the remaining two years of Burdick’s term. The election must be held by Dec. 7.

Sinner said his selection is in North Dakota’s best interest because Mrs. Burdick is best suited for wrapping up her husband’s affairs in Washington.

“She was dumbfounded, frankly, that I asked her,” Sinner said. But after consulting relatives, Mrs. Burdick accepted, he said.

In a statement read by Sinner, Mrs. Burdick said: “I am deeply honored, and I am looking forward to spending the next three months doing my best to carry on Quentin’s agenda of fighting for North Dakota’s interest.”