North Dakota Democratic-NPL reacts to Armstrong’s run for Governor

FARGO, ND – Not even an hour after Governor Burgum ended his final State of the State address, Kelly Armstrong announced that he will run for governor.

The North Dakota Democratic-NPL released this statement:

When Kelly Armstrong was elected, many hoped he’d bring North Dakota values to DC. Instead, Kelly got swallowed up by DC and became the ultimate insider. Under Armstrong, House Republicans have become extreme and completely ineffective. We can’t let him bring his DC values back home to North Dakota now.

During the chaotic Speaker of the House fight last year, Armstrong first voted for Steve Scalise who once said he voted for “David Duke without the baggage.” He then supported Jim Jordan who led efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, pushed for a costly government shutdown, and has repeatedly voted to slash Social Security and Medicare. In the end, he helped elect Mike Johnson who worked behind the scenes to overturn the 2020 election, has advocated for locking up LGBTQ+ Americans, wants to criminalize abortions so that women give birth to ‘able-bodied workers into the economy,’ and has fought to decimate Social Security and Medicare and has claimed to have a mandate from God to be House Speaker.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 23, 2024

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Legislative Leaders Respond to Burgum’s State of the State

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 23, 2024

DICKINSON, ND — Today, Governor Burgum gave the State of the State address. This comes after dropping out of the race for U.S. President and announcing that he would not be running in the 2024 ND gubernatorial race.

Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan said, “North Dakotans are demanding more than just another income tax cut. They want real solutions to the workforce crisis, the childcare crisis, the housing crisis, and the mental health crisis—all of which have gone unsolved on Republicans’ watch. Democrats have been beating the drum for more investments in each of these areas for years. But the outgoing administration’s focus on the things that will really improve the lives of everyday North Dakotans was too little and too late. North Dakotans also want to see our state supporting public employees, public education, and fully-funded school lunches, and I don’t think we saw that in this speech.”

House Minority Leader Zac Ista remarked, “The Governor should have used his final State of the State Address to bring North Dakota together. Instead, he recycled the same stale talking points that didn’t work for him on the presidential campaign trail. The truth is this: the Biden Administration has invested billions of federal dollars into North Dakota’s infrastructure, housing, and broadband internet. Inflation is down. Unemployment is down. Gas prices are down. Consumer confidence, wages, and the stock market are up. And under Joe Biden, America is producing more oil than any country in history. It’s time for the Governor to reboot his language to match reality.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

North Dakotans may now request mail-in ballots for the Democratic Presidential Primary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 17, 2024

FARGO, ND – The North Dakota Democratic-NPL has announced that voters may now request a ballot for the Democratic Presidential Primary. Ballots can be requested at MRGballot.com.

Ballots will start being mailed out on February 20 and must be received by Saturday, March 30, 2024, at noon. Ballots requested before February 7 will go out on February 20, and requests after February 7 will be fulfilled as they come in. The Democratic-NPL is encouraging voters to request their ballots as soon as possible, to ensure they are returned in time to be counted.

North Dakota is one of just five states where the political parties run the presidential primary process. The North Dakota Democratic-NPL is working with the Merriman River Group to facilitate the primary.

Any qualified North Dakota voter or any person who will have met all the qualifications of a voter at the next general election, and who has completed a form declaring they wish to participate as a Democrat is qualified to vote in the Party-Run Primary.

The Democratic-NPL is working with Tribal Leadership to have in-person voting locations available on North Dakota’s reservations with dates and times to be determined.

Candidates who will appear on the ballot are:

Joseph R Biden Jr

Eban Cambridge

Stephen P Lyons

Jason Palmer

Armando “Mando” Perez-Serrato

Dean Phillips

Cenk Uygur

Marianne Williamson

North Dakota will send 19 delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. This vote will determine the proportion of delegates pledged to each presidential candidate. Delegates to the National Convention will be elected at the North Dakota Democratic-NPL State Convention in Fargo on April 4-7.

Voters who have questions can contact the Dem-NPL at 701-255-0460 or [email protected].

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair comments on Burgum’s endorsement of Trump

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 14, 2024

FARGO, ND – Doug Burgum traveled to Iowa again—this time to endorse Donald Trump for president.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn remarked, “That Doug Burgum won’t do business with Trump tells you everything you need to know about Trump. That Doug Burgum still thinks Trump should be president tells you everything you need to know about Doug Burgum.”

In his bid for a second White House stint, Trump’s rhetoric has grown increasingly authoritarian, saying “Immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country” and that he will lock up his political enemies if he is president again. Trump has also wished for the economy to crash, been found liable for sexual abuse, and expressed interest in ripping healthcare away from millions of Americans. North Dakota Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven have also endorsed Trump.

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

North Democratic-NPL Chair Reacts to Class A misdemeanor charge against Rep. Dockter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 9, 2024

FARGO, ND – It was reported today that Rep. Jason Dockter (R-Bismarck) has been charged with a class A misdemeanor of speculating or wagering on official action or information because of an office space deal he has with the Attorney General’s office. This office space deal led to a cost overrun of over $1 million.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL chair Adam Goldwyn remarked, “North Dakotans have had to wait far too long for accountability. The waste, fraud, and abuse that has become rampant in Bismarck show us how entrenched cronyism is in our capital. The NDGOP has completely lost any moral standing it had with voters. Democrats will restore balance and hold office with integrity.”

This adds to a seemingly neverending series of scandalous behavior from NDGOP officials, including Rep. Rios hurling homophobic and racist slurs at law enforcement while intoxicated, hiring an executive director who posted demeaning comments about women and minorities, equivocating and joking about allegations against former Sen. Holmberg that he traveled to Prague to rape children, and standing up for the employee who had former Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem’s emails deleted—preventing them from becoming subject to an open records request.

CONTACT:

Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Reacts to Refusal to Resign

FARGO, ND – On December 15, state Rep. Nico Rios (R-Williston) was arrested for driving under the influence. After it was reported that he called police officers racist and homophobic slurs, Rios has refused to resign.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn said, “You wouldn’t trust Rios in a car with your children, why would we trust him to make laws? His abusive treatment of law enforcement and his homophobic and anti-immigrant tirade were abhorrent. Rios’ refusal to resign shows just how feckless the NDGOP leadership is—they clearly have no control over their lawmakers.”

This comes after a series of scandalous behavior has been reported on from NDGOP officials including hiring an executive director who posted demeaning comments about women and minorities, equivocating and joking about allegations against former Sen. Holmberg that he traveled to Prague to rape children, and standing up for the employee who had former Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem’s emails deleted lest they be subject to an open records request.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 28, 2023

CONTACT:

Laura Dronen

Communications Director

(701) 566-0616

[email protected]

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Reacts to Republican Lawmaker Abusive Language Hurled at Police

FARGO, ND – On December 15, state Rep. Nicolas Rios (R-Williston) was arrested for driving under the influence. Today, it was reported that Rios called police officers racist and homophobic slurs. This comes after a series of scandalous behavior has been reported on from NDGOP officials including hiring an executive director who posted demeaning comments about women and minorities, equivocating and joking about allegations against former Sen. Holmberg that he traveled to Prague to rape children, and standing up for the employee who had former Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem’s emails deleted lest they be subject to an open records request.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn remarked, “Calling police officers homophobic slurs is reprehensible. It used to be that when public servants disgraced themselves, they resigned rather than bring shame upon those they represent. But, from sexually assaulting minors to crooked real estate deals to homophobic and racist slurs, it seems the Republican Party no longer has a sense of shame. The Democrats are committed to governing with honor and dignity for all of us.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 21, 2023

CONTACT:

Laura Dronen

Communications Director

(701) 566-0616

[email protected]

North Democratic-NPL Chair Concerned Statement on the Supreme Court Taking Up Abortion Medication Case

FARGO, ND – North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party Chair Adam Goldwyn released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court taking up the Fifth Circuit’s decision on mifepristone—a safe and effective medication prescribed by doctors to administer more than half of the abortions in the United States and manage miscarriages:

“North Dakotans who need an abortion already face enormous hurdles. Our draconian laws—which most North Dakotans oppose—force women to travel out of state to seek care.

If the Supreme Court restricts access to this abortion medication—which is safe and effective—it will be a continued attack by Trump and Republican lawmakers to strip away reproductive rights across America. The GOP is doubling down on their extreme war on our freedoms and promising to go further. Make no mistake—Women’s reproductive rights and freedoms are at stake in 2024. While Republicans claim to be the party of less government and individual liberty, they pass laws that put the most intimate and personal decisions in our lives in the hands of politicians. The Democratic Party believes medical decisions should be between doctors and patients, not Donald Trump.”

President Biden and Vice President Harris will protect a woman’s right to choose, and they have a record of:

–Calling on Congress to codify the protections of Roe into law, restoring rights women relied on for nearly 50 years.

-Standing by the FDA’s evidence-based approval of mifepristone — and the Biden-Harris administration will continue to defend the FDA’s independent, expert authority to review, approve, and regulate a wide range of prescription drugs.

–Fighting to ensure access to emergency medical care.

-Strengthening patient privacy and access to contraception.

-Supporting a woman’s right to travel for medical care.

–Promising to veto a national abortion ban.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 14, 2023

CONTACT:

Laura Dronen

Communications Director

(701) 566-0616

[email protected]

Democratic-NPL Chair’s Statement on 2024 Republican Presidential Primary Race

FARGO, ND – North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has dropped out of the 2024 Republican Presidential Primary. In response, Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn has released the following statement:

After bribing his way onto the first two debate stages, Governor Doug Burgum has dropped out of the 2024 Republican Presidential Primary. As we predicted in June, Burgum’s presidential campaign was a short one. It became very clear to the rest of the state and the country that this was a vanity campaign from a bored billionaire.

Ultimately it doesn’t matter which Republican becomes the nominee: none have a positive vision for a free and prosperous country. They all want to rip away healthcare from millions of Americans, limit our freedoms, and continue to put party over democracy.

President Biden has passed historic investments in America. Republicans who voted against the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act now celebrate the projects those laws fund. We must send President Biden and Vice President Harris back to the White House next year to finish the job and elect Democrats up and down the ballot to protect the progress made and grow the economy from the bottom up and middle out.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 4, 2023

CONTACT:

Laura Dronen

Communications Director

(701) 566-0616

[email protected]

Democratic-NPL Leaders Call For New Maps, Admonish GOP Plan To Appeal Redistricting Decision

Bismarck, ND – Last week, the Chief Judge for the District of North Dakota ruled that the state’s 2021 legislative redistricting plan violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by illegally diluting Native Americans’ voting strength and denying them the opportunity to elect their preferred candidates to the legislature. GOP Leaders have now chosen to appeal this Trump appointee’s decision.

“It is a mistake to appeal this decision. Judge Welte carefully considered the evidence before him, engaged in thorough legal analysis, and authored a decision consistent with the facts and long-standing precedent,” said House Minority Leader Zac Ista (D-Grand Forks). “The ruling gives the legislature a second chance to do the right thing: draw a legislative district map that ensures Native American representation and abides by the Voting Rights Act,” added Ista.

Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan (D-Fargo) remarked, “The State should accept this ruling and work without delay and without incurring additional costs to the taxpayers to adopt new districts that conform to the Voting Rights Act. Instead, the State is using a legally dubious new 8th Circuit opinion as cover for its misguided decision to appeal.” Voting rights experts from across the country have assailed a November 20 split ruling by a three-judge panel of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, with most experts believing an appeal of that case is inevitable. “Rather than waiting for that lengthy legal process to play out, North Dakota should take the lead and redraw our legislative maps now,” added Hogan.

The rulings in North Dakota and the 8th Circuit highlight the continued Republican assault on voting rights and fair legislative and congressional districts across the country. “Voting rights are sacred in our country. There should be broad, bipartisan support to make voting easier and more accessible and to draw legislative districts fairly. But too many Republicans in too many places are continuing an assault on voting rights, most often in ways that disproportionately impact racial minorities,” said Ista.

Hogan concluded, “Let’s not add North Dakota to this list; let’s instead adopt new legislative maps that advance Native American representation in our great state.”

The Democratic-NPL has been a leader in promoting and supporting Native American representation across the state, including current state representatives Jayme Davis (D-Rollette) and Lisa Finley-DeVille (D-Mandaree) and former elected leaders like Ruth Buffalo and Richard Marcellais. In addition to their elected positions, Davis also serves as House Minority Caucus Leader, Finley-DeVille serves as the Vice Chair of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL, and Buffalo is the current DNC Committeewoman for the state party. The Democratic-NPL also supports its Native American Caucus chaired by Prairie Rose Seminole.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 21, 2023

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

CSG Selects Rep. Zac Ista for 20 Under 40 Leadership Award

GRAND FORKS, ND – The Council of State Governments has selected North Dakota House Minority Leader Zac Ista (D-Grand Forks) as a 2023 recipient of the 20 Under 40 Leadership Award.

Founded in 1933, the Council of State Governments is the nation’s largest nonpartisan organization serving all three branches of state elected and appointed officials. The mission of CSG is to champion excellence in state government. The CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award annually recognizes the outstanding work of 20 up-and-coming elected and appointed officials from across the country who not only exemplify strong leadership skills but have also demonstrated a true commitment to serving the citizens of their state. The 20 Under 40 Leadership Awards will be presented at the 2023 CSG National Conference this December in Raleigh, North Carolina.

“While the outstanding state officials recognized by CSG this year come from diverse backgrounds, different political parties, every branch of state government and every region of our country, they share the same commitment to serve others,” said David Adkins, CSG executive director/CEO. “They are hard-working, visionary leaders whose passion for public service is producing results for their states. I marvel at all they have achieved, and I look forward to watching their impact grow even greater in the years ahead.”

Ista was selected because of his commitment to public service, ability to engage with officials across party lines, and exceptional leadership.

“I am deeply humbled to receive this award and to share the stage with so many outstanding young leaders from across the country, ” said Ista. “Now more than ever, my constituents demand and deserve serious leaders willing to put aside partisanship to move our state forward and advance the values that make our state exceptional. I am grateful for the opportunity they have given me to do just that,” he added.

Ista has represented District 43 in the North Dakota House since 2020. Among his legislative achievements are passing bills to ban lunch shaming, to protect domestic violence survivors, and to provide ongoing no-cost health insurance to families of fallen police officers. He currently serves as Chair of the interim Tribal and State Relations Committee. In addition to the 20 Under 40 Leadership Award, Ista was previously selected as a Fellow in CSG’s Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 14, 2023

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

Former First Lady Grace Link to be named Honorary Chair of Dem-NPL Century Club

Fargo, ND – Former First Lady Grace Link to be named Honorary Chair of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Century Club at the 13th Annual Democratic-NPL Burdick Dinner. The dinner will feature keynote speaker, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the Four & Four in Fargo.

Link was married to Art Link, who served as North Dakota’s 27th governor. He also served as a U.S. Representative from 1971 to 1973. Art Link died in 2010 at the age of 96, not long after the couple celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary. Link has remained a party stalwart, continuing to attend events into her 100s, and sharing her wisdom with up-and-coming Dem-NPLers.

The Century Club supports the Democratic-NPL year-round work to build party infrastructure supporting candidate recruitment, local district and regional leadership, issue-based education, and tools for Dem-NPL success.

Bob Valeu, Executive Director of the party in 1967 and the inspiration behind this grassroots giving program said, “Art and Grace were original members of Century Club. Art was a legislator in ND when we began this program, and then he went on to Congress and became Governor of ND. Grace was his partner through it all, and she has been consistently supportive of Century Club over the years.”

Tickets to the 13th Annual Democratic-NPL Burdick are available at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/burdick2023.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 2, 2023

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]