GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Former North Dakota lieutenant governor and newspaper columnist Lloyd Omdahl has died at 93.

Omdahl was the last Democrat to serve as lieutenant governor in North Dakota, the Bismarck Tribune reported. He was appointed to that position by former North Dakota Democratic Gov. George Sinner in 1987 and served as lieutenant governor through 1992.

The state’s current Republican Gov. Doug Burgum said in a Monday statement: “From his dedicated service as North Dakota’s lieutenant governor and tax commissioner to his decades as a UND (University of North Dakota) educator and newspaper columnist, Lloyd Omdahl was a constant presence and passionate voice in North Dakota government and politics for over 60 years.”

Burgum added, “We are deeply grateful for his service and commitment to the citizens of North Dakota, as well as his many contributions to our state’s Scandinavian heritage, in which he took great pride.”