The North Dakota Republican Party announced Thursday that Mike Schatz, a retired high school teacher and former state lawmaker, will be taking over as executive director.

He replaces Jason Stverak, who left the post last month to work for presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani.

Schatz, 55, identifies himself as "a lifelong Republican" and said he's excited to lead the party into the next election cycle. He said he wants to help elect Republicans up and down the ticket, with a focus on candidate recruitment.

"We have to look for the right people, encourage them and help them with their campaigns," Schatz said.

His job also involves fundraising and political organizing.

A social studies teacher at New England High School for 27 years, Schatz spent most of his career in the classroom. But he always managed to pursue other interests, including politics.

In 1988, Schatz was elected to the North Dakota House from District 56, which includes New England and Hettinger County. He ran for the Senate in 1990 but was defeated by current state Sen. Aaron Krauter, D-Regent. He also has served as a Republican precinct captain.

All the while, Schatz coached his high school's nine-man football team, the New England Tigers, to four Class B state championships. He also farmed for 30 years, giving up after a particularly bad hail storm in 1996.

Republican Party Chairman Gary Emineth, who was responsible for selecting Schatz, said his teaching and coaching background make him a good speaker and team builder. Emineth said he was looking for somebody with these qualities, along with political contacts throughout the state, and found the ideal candidate in the state.

Although Stverak didn't officially announce his departure until June 29, Emineth said he had six weeks notice to begin looking for a replacement, thus resulting in the seeming quick search.

Emineth said he was encouraged to seek candidates with more political organizing experience from out of state, but he wanted to find somebody from within North Dakota.

"I felt very comfortable we could find somebody in the state, and Mike just rose to the top because he fit a lot of the things we were looking for," Emineth said.

Schatz takes over as Republicans hold every statewide office but agriculture commissioner and majorities in both the state House and Senate. However, the party has failed to win any seats in the state's three-member congressional delegation.

Emineth said finding a candidate to challenge incumbent Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., in 2008 is a top priority. Pomeroy cruised to victory over farmer Matt Mechtel last year.

Emineth said that holding the state Senate and governor's office are the other top priorities of Schatz' tenure.

Jaime Selzler, executive director of the North Dakota Democratic Party, said he expects heavy competition over state legislative seats in 2008, regardless of who the party chairs are.

"I look forward to working with Mike and seeing him out on the campaign trail," Selzler said.

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