Rep. Rick Berg (R) endorsed Public Service Commissioner Brian Kalk in the competitive GOP primary for the state’s at-large House seat, putting him at odds with some tea-party-affiliated groups. “Obviously I’m supporting the candidates that were endorsed by the state convention,” Berg said in a wide-ranging interview with Roll Call last week. Berg is leaving the House after a single term to run for an open Senate seat. A recent poll showed the GOP primary to succeed him is competitive. His endorsement doesn’t come as a big surprise. The state GOP convention also backed Berg for Senate over his primary competition, businessman Duane Sand, a frequent statewide candidate. In endorsing Kalk he’s sticking with the state GOP’s preferred ticket. (more…)
