FARGO - Republican Public Service Commission candidate Brian Kalk emerged from a field of three to win his party's support at Saturday's state convention.

Kalk, 42, is a former Marine and a professor at North Dakota State University. He campaigned vigorously across the state for the last few months, winning 643 delegates, or 58 percent of the 1,103 delegates present.

State Sen. Bob Stenehjem of Bismarck came in second with 398 votes, or 36 percent, and Fargo financial consultant Steve Risher was a distant third with 29, or 2.6 percent. Voting ended on the first ballot at around 3 p.m.

The battle for the PSC nomination was the only race known to be contested at this weekend's three-day convention. As the winner, Kalk will battle the Democrats' candidate for a seat on the three-member commission that regulates utilities, coal companies, grain elevators and phone companies.

Cheryl Bergian, 46, the 2006 Democratic candidate for the PSC, is the only announced candidate for the Democrats' PSC endorsement. The Democratic convention is next weekend in Grand Forks.

Kalk campaigned on promoting energy independence and fighting against movements that would delay development of North Dakota's oil and gas. Kalk said his experience as a logistics and environmental officer in the Marine Corps gives him the perfect fit for a body that regulates natural resources and pipelines.

"I know the terrain of the PSC," he said in his speech to the convention.

Stenehjem, 56, who serves as the state Senate majority leader, campaigned on a platform of balancing protection of the state's land with development of its energy resources. He touted his legislative experience and conservative voting record.

"I believe individuals and businesses, not big government, can continue to make North Dakota the envy of the nation," he told the convention.

Risher, 57, a financial adviser since 1983 who formerly worked in the state's oil fields, said he has the perfect background to "weigh opportunity and evaluate risk" as a regulator.

All three men announced their candidacy in rapid succession after Republican Public Service Commissioner Susan Wefald announced her retirement last December.

The campaign took all three candidates on the road for months, traveling to elicit support from delegates across the state. They put many miles on, attending district conventions, coffee gatherings and other meet-and-greet events.

The campaigning reached a fever pitch at the convention Friday night as Kalk and Stenehjem set up competing suites adjoining the Holiday Inn's large central pool area.

Guests were steered to Stenehjem's suite by signs featuring a cowboy, a lasso and an invitation saying "join the Stenehjem Stampede." In Stenehjem's suite, guests were treated to chili and drinks. In Kalk's suite, the fare was barbecue.

Just outside the suites, the fare was a full dose of politics.

Delegate Mike Haugen of Fargo was having a light chat with delegate Harald Brevick when the conversation turned to business.

"But the question is, as a delegate, are you going to vote for Brian Kalk tomorrow?" he asked.

Brevick enthusiastically said he would, and they chatted about how his natural resources education and military background would make him a good PSC commissioner.

Soon, the conversation drifted back to lighter matters.

(Reach reporter Jonathan Rivoli at 223-8482 or jonathan.rivoli@;bismarcktribune.com.)