 He received the party's endorsement on April 29, 2010, and challenged incumbent Secretary of State Mark Ritchie in the November 2010 general election.In his filing for Secretary of State, Severson sought to be listed using his Navy pilot call name Doc Severson, some thought it to be an allusion to former "Tonight Show" band leader Doc Severinsen.Severson was challenged because he had not previously appeared on the ballot with the nickname "Doc."