BISMARCK–Senate Minority Leader Ryan Taylor released the following statement this morning in regard to the death of Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem:
“I was shocked and saddened when I received the call last night from Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem informing me of the tragic car accident in Alaska that took the life of his brother, majority leader Sen. Bob Stenehjem, my counterpart and colleague in the North Dakota Senate.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the entire Stenehjem family, especially Bob’s wife, Kathy, and pray for healing in their time of loss.
“I appreciated Bob’s service to the state of North Dakota and enjoyed the working relationship we had as senate leaders. He was a man of his word and he worked very hard for his caucus and the entire legislature in his job as majority leader. His passing will leave a great void in the halls of the Capitol.
“We could put our differences aside and find the common threads that hold us together as North Dakotans working towards a better future. We could visit about making hay, or hunting and fishing, or he could laugh and tease my kids when they’d visit me in the senate. Because of the kind of person he was, we could cultivate a relationship that reached beyond the aisle separating our two parties in the senate chamber.
“He’ll be missed by the many of us who knew him and had the pleasure of working with him in Bismarck.”
Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., released the following statement:
“Lucy and I are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Bob Stenehjem. He was a dedicated public servant and fought tirelessly for the people of North Dakota. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob’s wife Kathy, their children, and the entire Stenehjem family during this difficult time.”
Rep. Rick Berg, R-N.D., former majority leader of the North Dakota House, released the following statement:
“Bob was a good friend and a dear colleague, and I will miss him very much. He was also a respected leader who loved North Dakota and serving the people of our state and he was greatly valued by those who were able to work alongside him. Tracy and I are deeply saddened to hear of Bob’s death, and we will keep Bob’s wife Kathy and the entire Stenehjem family in our thoughts and prayers.”