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Merle Boucher

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Merle Boucher
Minority Leader of the North Dakota House of Representatives
In office
1996–2011
Succeeded byJerry Kelsh
Member of the North Dakota House of Representatives
from the 9th district
In office
1991–2011
Succeeded byMarvin E. Nelson
Personal details
Born (1946-07-19) July 19, 1946 (age 78)
Rolette, North Dakota
Political partyNorth Dakota Democratic-NPL Party
SpouseSusan
ResidenceRolette, North Dakota
Alma materNorth Dakota State University, Mayville State University
Professioneducator, farmer

Merle Boucher (born July 19, 1946) is a North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party politician who served in the North Dakota House of Representatives, representing the 9th district from 1991 to 2011. He served as Minority Leader from 1996 to 2011.

Boucher sought and lost the Democratic-NPL nomination for governor in 2004 and in 2008, but became the running mate of 2008 nominee Tim Mathern, running on the ticket as the nominee for lieutenant governor. Two years after that ticket lost, Boucher became the Democratic-NPL nominee for North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner, losing in the 2010 election to incumbent Doug Goehring.

Boucher is from Rolette County, North Dakota and attended high school there. He went on to college, taking classes from the State School of Forestry. He then transferred to Mayville State University, where he graduated with a teaching degree in 1970.

He returned to Rolette and taught at the high school for 20 years. After retiring, he became a rancher. He holds his family's original Homestead Act claim among other land. He has coached the Rolette American Legion baseball team in past years.

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Party political offices
Preceded by
Deb Mathern
Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota
2008
Succeeded by
Ellen Chaffee
Preceded by Democratic nominee for North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner
2010
Succeeded by