Bismarck (KFGO-AM) -- Kirsten Baesler, North Dakota's Supt. of Public Instruction, has entered a not guilty plea to a simple assault charge.
Baesler did not appear in Burleigh County Municipal Court. Her attorney entered the plea for her.
Baesler was arrested Sunday afternoon after her fiance' reported she assaulted him during an argument. Bismarck Police say the man had a visible injury and blood on his face. Baesler said she and her fiancé had been arguing, and she was concerned for her safety. She also said the problems between them had been escalating.
Todd Tschosik was accused of assaulting her in a Florida hotel room last summer. Court documents indicate Baesler didn't cooperate with authorities in the Florida case against Tschosik, and prosecutors dropped the case.