to death on September 22, 2006). A February 9, 2007, article in the New York Times stated that according to a transcript of the court proceedings, Judge Ralph R. Erickson, who imposed the sentence, said "This is the first time since 1914 that any judge has been confronted with a death penalty sentence in North Dakota or Minnesota...Mr. Rodriguez's senseless and horrendous" act forced an uncomfortable discussion of capital punishment to the forefront. In addition to personally leading the trial team in the trial that lead to Rodriguez's death sentence, Wrigley successfully argued the case before the Eighth Circuit Court Of Appeals, which upheld, 2 to 1, Rodriguez's conviction and death sentence. On August 16, 2018, President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Wrigley to be the U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota. On August 27, 2018, his nomination was sent to the United States Senate. His nomination was not acted upon during the 115th United States Congress. He was renominated in February 2019. On February 28, 2019, his nomination was reported out of committee by voice vote. On April 11, 2019, his nomination was confirmed by voice vote by the full Senate. On April 17, 2019, he was sworn into office as the United States Attorney for a second time. On February 8, 2021, he was asked to resign to reopen the position for nomination, as is routine during a presidential transition. On February 23, 2021, Wrigley announced his resignation, effective February 28, 2021. Lieutenant governor On November 4, 2010, then-Lieutenant Governor Jack Dalrymple designated Wrigley as his successor once his transition of the governor's office was completed (then-Governor John Hoeven had just been elected to the U.S. Senate). Wrigley was sworn into office on December 7, 2010, following the swearing in of Governor Dalrymple. Dalrymple and Wrigley were elected to full terms in November 2012. Wrigley's responsibilities as lieutenant governor include presiding over the state senate, overseeing legislative relations, formulating the state budget, and agri-business development. Wrigley considered running in the 2016 North Dakota gubernatorial election, but ultimately decided not to run. Attorney general of North Dakota On February 8, 2022, Governor Doug Burgum appointed Wrigley as North Dakota Attorney General following the death of former Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem. Wrigley had announced on December 30, 2021, that he would run for a full term in the 2022 election. Wrigley won a full term in