Bismarck, N.D. (AP) The Democratic candidate for North Dakota Tax Commissioner says it's tough to debate issues when his opponent has taken a month off from the job to seek treatment for alcohol addiction.
Republican Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger announced in September that he was taking an unpaid leave of absence for alcohol treatment.
Democratic candidate Jason Astrup says the only place Rauschenberger has been seen publicly is on television campaign advertising. Astrup says he would like to debate his opponent before the Nov. 4 election.
Rauschenberger and his campaign did not return telephone calls on Wednesday.
Deputy Tax Commissioner Joe Morrissette has been in charge of the agency in Rauschenberger's absence. Morrissette says that he has had no contact with his boss and did not know when he would return.