Kirsten Baesler | |
|---|---|
| Assistant Secretary of Education for Elementary and Secondary Education | |
| Assumed office November 24, 2025 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Ian Rosenblum (acting) |
| 19th North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction | |
| In office January 1,2013 –November 24,2025 | |
| Governor | Jack Dalrymple Doug Burgum Kelly Armstrong |
| Preceded by | Wayne Sanstead |
| Succeeded by | Levi Bachmeier [1] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 30,1969 Flasher,North Dakota,U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Education | Bismarck State College Minot State University (BA) Valley City State University (MLS) |
| Website | Official website |
Kirsten Baesler (born March 30,1969) [2] [3] is the Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education since 2025,previously serving as the North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction,a position she held from her election in 2012 till 2025.
Baesler was nominated by president Donald Trump to be Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education,succeeding acting assistant secretary Ian Rosenblum. [4] She was confirmed on October 7,2025 and is pending her official resignation's effective date and swearing in,with the Department of Education potentially hindered from swearing her in until the end of the 2025 United States federal government shutdown. [5]
Baesler is originally from Flasher,North Dakota. [6]
Baesler received two associate's degrees from Bismarck State College,a bachelor's degree in education at Minot State University,and then a master's degree from Valley City State University. [7]
Baesler began her career as a school library assistant,she later became a library media specialist,eventually working her way to up to an assistant principal in Bismarck,North Dakota. [6] At the time of her election,Baesler was serving as president of the Mandan School Board,after serving since 2004. [6]
In 2012,Baesler announced she would run for North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction,with a later endorsement from the North Dakota Republican Party,she went on to win the general with 55% of the vote. [8] She would win reelection in 2016,2020,and 2024 with no less than 50% of the vote each time. [9]
Since taking office,Baesler has frequently attempted to boost the quality of the states math and science standards. [10]
On February 15,2015,Baesler was arrested for alleged misdemeanor simple assault on her fiancéwith a glass jar during an reportedly drunken argument. [11] [12] [13] Despite conflicting reports from both Baesler and her fiancé,any charges were dropped in March. [14]
During the COVID-19 pandemic,Baesler announced that the state would allow the local school districts to decide whether their graduation ceremonies would be held in-person or virtual. [15]
On March 10,2020,Baesler was charged with a DUI. [16] In a statement,Baesler said “I ask that you please don’t allow this mistake of mine to undo all the good work we have begun and all we have yet to accomplish together. Today I commit to you that I will work diligently –one day at a time —to earn back your trust.” [17] She would later serve 360 days probation for the charge. [18]
During her 2024 reelection bid,Baesler lost the NDGOP endorsement to primary candidate Jim Bartlett. Despite this,she still won reelection. [19]
In 2025,Baesler signaled her support for charter schools in the state and supported legislation passed by governor Kelly Armstrong that would allow for them to operate in North Dakota. [20] [21]
On February 12,2025,Baesler was nominated by President Donald Trump to be the Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education in his administration under Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. [22] [23] [24]
Baesler's nomination was advanced by the Senate Committee on Health,Education,Labor,and Pensions in a 12-11 vote on May 22. [25] [26] And on October 7,Baesler along with over 100 other nominees were confirmed in a 51-47 vote by the United States Senate. Despite this,Baesler will not be sworn in until the end of the 2025 United States federal government shutdown. [27] [28] [29]
When the shutdown ended on November 13,2025,Baesler filed a letter for retirement as Superintendent to prepare for her swearing in,scheduled for November 24th. [30] [31]
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirsten Baesler | 41,343 | 37.29 | |
| Tracy Potter | 35,949 | 32.42 | |
| Max Laird | 33,371 | 30.10 | |
| Write-in | 210 | 0.19 | |
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirsten Baesler | 154,177 | 55.05 | |
| Tracy Potter | 124,807 | 44.57 | |
| Write-in | 1,069 | 0.38 | |
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirsten Baesler | 220,079 | 74.60 | |
| Joe Chiang | 73,350 | 24.86 | |
| Write-in | 1,598 | 0.54 | |
| Total votes | 295,027 | 100.00 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Kirsten Baesler (incumbent) | 192,835 | 59.13% | |
| Nonpartisan | Brandt Dick | 130,280 | 39.95% | |
| Write-in | 3,005 | 0.92% | ||
| Turnout | 326,120 | 56.09% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Kirsten Baesler (incumbent) | 59,170 | 54.88% | |
| Nonpartisan | Jason Heitkamp | 23,837 | 22.11% | |
| Nonpartisan | Jim Bartlett | 21,216 | 19.68% | |
| Nonpartisan | Darko Draganic | 3,320 | 3.08% | |
| Write-in | 280 | 0.26% | ||
| Turnout | 107,823 | 20.26% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Kirsten Baesler (incumbent) | 185,318 | 56.90% | |
| Nonpartisan | Jason Heitkamp | 138,085 | 42.39% | |
| Write-in | 2,316 | 0.71% | ||
| Turnout | 325,719 | 62.61% | ||
In a statement last week, Baesler said she anticipated the federal government shutdown would delay the Department of Education's ability to administer her oath of office... It will be up to Gov. Kelly Armstrong to appoint a new superintendent once Baesler officially resigns. An election for the office will be held in 2026.