NORTH DAKOTA: King of the Referendum

There are three hazards to living in North Dakota, the residents there are fond of saying: blizzards, mosquitoes and Robert McCarney. A millionaire Ford auto dealer, McCarney, 65, is the all-time champion referendum holder in the state. He has forced so many laws to be tested at the polls that he has been referred to as "the fourth branch of state government." His current crusade is to stop North Dakota from spending some $18.5 million for new buildings. Boasts he: "Any benefit to the people of this state has come through my efforts, not the...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!