A month after North Dakota Democratic Party Executive Director Jim Fuglie left his post, Democrats are busy seeking his replacement in preparation of the 2008 election cycle.

"We're coming off of a very good election and we want to build on that," said David Strauss, party chair.

Democrats have formed a search committee and will be accepting applications until Jan. 15.

Strauss said the party would like to have a new executive director in place by March.

The person chosen for this post will manage the nuts and bolts of the political process, including fundraising, supporter lists and get-out-the-vote efforts. They will be chosen by a vote of the search committee.

The search is being conducted nationally as well as in North Dakota, but the executive director position has historically been filled by someone from within the state, Strauss said.

Fuglie, 59, of Gladstone, was tapped to serve as a temporary director when the party had trouble finding someone for the 2006 elections.

His experience included a prior stint as executive director in the 1980s and many years in public relations.

"I had agreed to do it for one year," Fuglie said. "When that was over, I wanted to return home."

Democrats failed to take any statewide offices from Republican incumbents in 2006, but made inroads in the state House and Senate.

Strauss said the next director will be in charge of an election where Democrats have a chance of retaking the state Senate and competing for statewide offices such as the governorship.

"The goal obviously is to restore the political balance in North Dakota," he said.