Jeans get governor booted from North Dakota Senate's floor


              FILE - In this Jan. 4, 2017 photo, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and first lady Kathryn Helgaas Burgum greet the crowd at the governor's inauguration celebration in Bismarck, N.D. Burgum's preference for wearing jeans got him booted from the North Dakota Senate floor Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, while he was posing for a photo with some high school students. A spokesman says the governor "meant no disrespect to the chamber rules." (Will Kincaid/The Bismarck Tribune via AP, File)/The Bismarck Tribune via AP)
FILE - In this Jan. 4, 2017 photo, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and first lady Kathryn Helgaas Burgum greet the crowd at the governor's inauguration celebration in Bismarck, N.D. Burgum's preference for wearing jeans got him booted from the North Dakota Senate floor Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, while he was posing for a photo with some high school students. A spokesman says the governor "meant no disrespect to the chamber rules." (Will Kincaid/The Bismarck Tribune via AP, File)/The Bismarck Tribune via AP)

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum's preference for wearing jeans got him booted from the state Senate's floor.

Burgum, a Republican software entrepreneur elected in November, was posing for a photo with some high school students on the Senate floor Wednesday when he was asked to leave.

Spokesman Mike Nowatzki says the governor "meant no disrespect to the chamber rules."

Burgum's preference for jeans and sweaters has spurred much grumbling at the Capitol among many male lawmakers who wear a suit and tie when the Legislature is in session.

Burgum also wore jeans at his inauguration last month, when other governors in recent years donned tuxedos or a suit.

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