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Welcome to the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Insider, a newsletter that features regular updates about upcoming Dem-NPL events, legislative happenings, and news that affects North Dakotans!
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Did you know the DNC hosts a morning news show called the Daily Blueprint that is livestreamed on YouTube weekdays at 9 AM CDT? You can watch it live or later on the DNC’s YouTube channel here.
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District 22 - Run for Office Virtual 5K
District 22 is hosting its first annual virtual 5K! Registration is happening now through February 27, 2026. You can complete the 5K (3.1 miles) any time, anywhere through March 31, 2026.
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Break the distance up into smaller segments or get it done in one go. Hop on your treadmill, go outside, walk or run alone or with friends.
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Keep an eye out for in-person meet-ups if you are local to the Fargo-West Fargo area during the month of March!
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Finally Friday Social!
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Fri, Mar 20, 2026 6:00 PM CDT
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Every Friday, come celebrate the start of the weekend with the Souris Valley Dem-NPL!
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District 25 Monthly Meeting
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Tues, Mar 24, 2026 6:30 PM CDT
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Twin Town Tavern
404 Dakota Ave., Wahpeton
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Come connect with fellow constituents, socialize, and be part of the conversation as we discuss and vote on candidate contributions and plan upcoming fundraising efforts. We’d love to see you there!
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District 13 Dem-NPL Meeting
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Thurs, Mar 26, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm CDT
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FM Labor Temple
3001 1st Ave N, Fargo
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Our Guest Speaker is Rep. Mary Schneider from District 21, who is running for the Senate.
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Roasted Chicken Special $2.00 off
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Come and join the fun as we fundraise for Landis, Brenda, and Maggi!
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Root and Rally
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Fri, Mar 27, 2026, 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. CDT
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Join us on Friday, March 27th at the Board Room in South Grand Forks for an evening of drinks, community, and grassroots energy with DNC Vice Chair Jane Kleeb—featuring local candidates and Rep. Zac Ista
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Rural Voter Outreach Training with Nebraska State Party Chair Jane Kleeb
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Sat, Mar 28, 11:00am-2:00pm CDT
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North Dakota Farmers Union
1415 12th Ave SE, Jamestown
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Join us for a Rural Voter Outreach Training with Nebraska State Party Chair Jane Kleeb! Kleeb is also the author of "Harvest the Vote: How Democrats Can Win Again in Rural America"
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It’s a Democratic Party!
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Sun, Mar 29, 2:00pm-4:00pm CDT
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FM Labor Temple
3001 1st Ave N, Fargo
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Join us for a fun afternoon with Nebraska Democratic Party Chair and ASDC President Jane Kleeb!
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Region 2 Century Club Appreciation Event
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Tues, Apr 7, 2026 6:00 PM CDT
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Parker Center
21 1st Ave. SE, Minot
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The Region 2 Century Club Appreciation Event will be April 7, 2026 at 6 pm.
Parker Center, Minot ND
-21 1st Ave SE, Minot, ND 58701
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Dickinson Area Democratic-NPL meeting
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Wed, Apr 8, 2026 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm MDT
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The Press Box at Players Sports Bar & Grill
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2050 1st Ave E, Dickinson
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Districts 37, 36, and 39 meet every second Wednesday after Drinking Liberally!
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North Dakota Democrats are fired up to run for office this year!
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Districts 3, 7, 9, 11, 13, 20, 21, 31, 33, 35, 42, and 47 have all endorsed full slates, and most Districts have endorsed at least one candidate for the Legislature! If you want to run, this is the year to do it! Let us know if you are interested!
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Help us spread our message—share these recent posts!
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Vern Thompson is running for North Dakota Ag Commissioner
Joel is back in the KFGO studio, and is joined by Vern Thompson for an announcement. Vern Thompson announced that he’s running for North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner, and has already been endorsed by the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Executive Committee.
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Vern is an independent trucker who hauls natural gas liquids. He represented the Minnewauken area in the ND House from 1989-1990 and served from 1997-2000 in the Senate, including one session as Senate minority caucus leader. He recently lost the endorsement for U.S. Congress.
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Thompson ready to tackle Farm Crisis as North Dakota Ag Commissioner
Farm debt is at record highs, and families are being pushed off their land. And who’s buying it? Not the next generation–many farm kids don’t see a future in farming. Instead, it’s billionaires and out‑of‑state corporations. It’s investors who have never set foot on a North Dakota field. Bill Gates, Scott Bessent, and Wall Street funds are buying up the land that built this state.
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North Dakota deserves leaders who will stand up for family farmers and speak honestly about the crisis. We need someone who’ll fight to keep land in the hands of the people who work it: not corporations, not absentee investors or Wall Street. That is my reality check, and the reason why I’m running for ND Ag Commissioner.
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North Dakota's Republican Party appears to have been out-fundraised by Dem-NPL in 2025
North Dakota Democratic National Party Committeeman Jamie Selzler said the surge in small-dollar donations reflects a broader national trend benefiting Democrats. He added that Democrats in the state appear energized about upcoming elections, a sentiment he believes is reflected in their fundraising totals.
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Vern Thompson endorsed by North Dakota Dem-NPL in state ag commissioner race
"I'm here to give a reality check. No sugarcoating. No political spin. Just the truth about costs, markets, ownership and the Industrial Commission. North Dakota farmers and ranchers are facing the biggest farm crisis in 40 years," Thompson said in a statement. "Production agriculture isn't just an industry. It's $41.3 billion in economic activity. It's 123,000 North Dakota jobs. It's our identity. It's our way of life, and right now, it's in trouble."
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Tyler York announces bid for District 43 House seat
“I never expected to run for public office,” York said in a statement. “But after watching Grand Forks Public Schools and many districts across North Dakota struggle with difficult budget decisions, I realized that many of the challenges facing our communities start at the state level. Instead of talking about those problems from the sidelines, I decided it was time to step forward and help.”
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York's campaign will focus on stability, stewardship and service to the people of Grand Forks, the release said. He believes the state should "provide dependable support for public schools, responsibly manage North Dakota's resources and focus on practical solutions that strengthen local communities."
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Letter: Does Fedorchak still support the Iran war?
At least $1 billion dollars a day is being spent to support Trump’s excursion (his words) in the Middle East while the American public is daily being beat with the stick of “we can’t afford this”. This only seems to apply to Affordable Care Act subsidies, money for the SNAP program, and healthcare for veterans and seniors. The administration will be back asking Congress for more money to support this war. The national debt is climbing at an alarming rate.
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Incumbent announces reelection bid for Fargo school board
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As Planning Committee chair, Clark said he spent the last year leading the board’s efforts to reduce spending and help balance the budget.
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“This community’s largest investment into Fargo’s future is in the education of our young people. This demands transparency and accountability from the school board, and I’m committed to delivering on that. And I don’t take that commitment lightly,” the release said.
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Letter: The role of today’s (human) educator
Every day, teachers are giving up personal time to tutor students, write letters of recommendation for colleges and scholarships, supervising activities, coaching sports, and advising clubs to help all students feel welcome in their school communities. They are adapting to the needs of students who are experiencing long-term absences due to medical and mental health needs. Teachers hop on Zoom and email in the evenings to assist students who, for whatever reason, cannot be at school, but want to continue to stay on pace with their learning. They are spending money out of their often stagnant wages to provide hands-on lessons, reward at-risk students, and step in when they see a student really could use a new jacket or pair of shoes. As I approach the decade mark of my career in education, more students are coming to class now, not necessarily because of the education that awaits them, but because they know that a granola bar or snack to help tide them over awaits them when they arrive.
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Fargo School Board Member Greg Clark hopes to serve another term
Cally Musland-Peterson, Editor of North Dakota Living and former Producer for "News and Views," is filling in for Joel Heitkamp. She's joined in the KFGO studio by Greg Clark to speak about his re-election efforts for the Fargo School Board.
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Incumbent Greg Clark announced his bid for re-election to the Fargo Board of Education. First elected in 2022, he currently serves as chair of the school board’s Planning Committee and as vice chair of the Communications, Engagement, and Advocacy Committee.
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House candidate Trygve Hammer shares thoughts on Iran war, Congressional power
“What I would do differently and the thing that I have talked about on the campaign trail is that Congress needs to have a say, our say in whether we go to Iran and put lives on the line is through Congress, so when they refuse to have a say, North Dakota has lost their voice.”
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Dem-NPLers mourn the loss of Legislative Giant Rep. Delmore
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ND DNC Committeeman and former runningmate of Rep. Delmore, Jamie Selzler remarked, “I ran for the State House in 2006 with Lois, and got to see up close why she was so beloved as a legislator: She listened, she cared, she fought for what she believed, and she always found a way to work with others. You will not find a single legislator she served with, from either party, who wouldn’t say that Lois was one of the smartest, hardest working, and kind members that the State House has ever had.
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But as good of a legislator as she was, she was an even better friend. She loved without judgement, cared without asking for anything in return, and when you were with her she made you feel like the center of the universe. North Dakota is a better state because Lois Delmore unselfishly gave 24 years of service to the place she loved, just as those of us who felt her love were made better by it.”
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Former Democratic lawmaker announces campaign for North Dakota agriculture commissioner
The former farmer from Minnewaukan said living through the 1980s farm crisis gives him a unique perspective to lead farmers through their current struggles. He blamed today’s challenges on President Donald Trump’s tariff policies reducing crop markets and war with Iran that has greatly impacted fuel and fertilizer costs in a matter of weeks.
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“We need a voice to speak to that,” Thompson said in an interview with the North Dakota Monitor on Friday. He added the North Dakota Industrial Commission and the state’s federal lawmakers have not done enough to stand against policies affecting North Dakota growers.
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Xcel natural gas rates going up April 1 in North Dakota
The interim increase ups rates by 10.66%, or about $8.42 per month for a typical residential natural gas customer of Northern State Power, part of Minnesota-based Xcel.
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Xcel’s natural gas service area in North Dakota includes the cities of Fargo, West Fargo and Grand Forks.
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The full rate increase being requested by Xcel is nearly 12% or $10.15 per month for a typical residential customer. The full increase would add $13.76 million to Xcel’s annual revenue.
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North Dakota's Republican Party appears to have been out-fundraised by Dem-NPL in 2025
North Dakota Democratic National Party Committeeman Jamie Selzler said the surge in small-dollar donations reflects a broader national trend benefiting Democrats. He added that Democrats in the state appear energized about upcoming elections, a sentiment he believes is reflected in their fundraising totals.
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"Their party is in total disarray," Selzler said of the state GOP, which has seen a split between populist and moderate members. "The folks who are sort of far-right Looney Tunes have taken over the Republican Party in North Dakota, and that's showing up in their fundraising."
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Senator Kent Conrad, "I do think it was a mistake not to have a debate and vote" regarding the Iran war
Inforum Columnist Jim Shaw is filling in for Joel Heitkamp, and is joined by former United States Senator, Kent Conrad. Jim asks Senator Conrad about his take on the war in Iran, what the protocol was in regards to war when he was in office, and he reflects on the Iraq war
Incumbent announces reelection bid for Fargo school board
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Brickner: Tiffany Williams-Rice will be an an advocate for North Dakota
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In interviewing Tiffany Williams–Rice, I found one recurring theme: Advocacy.
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This, of course, is a key component for a legislator. Indeed, she seeks to become a representative for District 7 in North Dakota. She has a history of listening to the community and then responding without any personal agenda.
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North Dakota lawmaker defends federal voting bill, critics raise concerns
Docter-Pinnick said she is worried that women in particular will have a harder time voting because they commonly change their last names when they get married.
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"Potentially 69 million women are impacted because what is required for documenting citizenship is, you know, your birth certificate, your passport, a Real ID. And to get a Real ID, to get a passport, you have to go back originally to a birth certificate," King said.
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ND Association of Counties Executive Director, Aaron Birst, discusses data centers in ND
Cally Musland-Peterson, Editor for North Dakota Living and former "News and Views" Producer, is filling in for Joel Heitkamp and is joined by Aaron Birst to have a conversation on the influx of data centers. Aaron joined NDACo in 2006 to fill two distinct roles - that of Legal Counsel for the Association, and as Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor. In May of 2022, he was chosen by the Board of Directors to serve as Executive Director.
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Maintaining Civil Rights as Law Enforcement Uses A.I.
Cody Schuler, ND ACLU, is in studio on Afternoons Live with Tyler Axness to discus how we can maintain civil rights as A.I. tool are being used by law enforcement.
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No Kings rallies scheduled statewide next Saturday
Fargo-Moorhead’s event will feature comments from the first vice president of North Dakota’s AFL-CIO, Deb Carter; Moorhead City Council member Heather Nesemeier; a member of North Dakota’s Young Democrats organization; and retiring North Dakota State Senator Kathy Hogan of Fargo.
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Check out these posts from national Democrats
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Trump Asks American Taxpayers to Pony Up $200 Billion for His Unpopular Iran War as Prices Skyrocket At Home
“Donald Trump and his administration continue to sell out everyday Americans to wage their deadly and costly war of choice in Iran. Trump promised to lower costs on ‘Day One’ and put an end to endless wars, and now his ‘Department of War’ wants hundreds of billions of dollars from taxpayers as the economy tanks. Working families are already struggling to make ends meet as prices soar and jobs disappear — the last thing they want is to foot the bill for a reckless and unpopular war that puts American lives at risk.”
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Lawmakers Are Surprised by ‘Staggering’ $200 Billion Funding Request for the Iran War
“That is a staggering amount of money,” Coons told NOTUS. “And suggests that they are preparing for a longer, broader and more costly war than we’ve ever been briefed on, or that is justified.”
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Democrats say Bondi won't commit to testifying in House Epstein investigation
The top Democrat on the committee, Rep. Robert Garcia of California, told reporters his members had only been informed about the planned Oversight briefing with Bondi and Blanche the day before. He accused the Trump administration officials of trying to stage “some kind of fake hearing” to avoid Bondi testifying under oath.
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“This has been completely set up in a way that’s been irresponsible. And quite frankly, we believe a way for the Attorney General to get out of her answering questions under oath and to the public,” Garcia said.
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Global oil price stuck in triple digits. Goldman Sachs says it may stay there for years
“The persistence of several prior large supply shocks underscores the risk that oil prices may stay above $100 for longer in risk scenarios with lengthier disruptions and large persistent supply losses,” Goldman analysts wrote in a note Thursday.
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How the Iran war threatens global food supply
Global fertilizer production has been disrupted before, in 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. Back then, countries found alternatives like increasing imports from the Middle East, according to Máximo Torero, the chief economist for the United Nations Food and Agriculture organization. But that won't be possible this time, he says.
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"The loss of Gulf exports creates an immediate global shortfall with no quick substitutes," says Torero. And, he says, there are no strategic international fertilizer stockpiles like there are for oil.
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What National Park Service interpretive material in Montana has been flagged for review?
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum subsequently issued an order directing all agencies in the department to identify “images descriptions, depictions, messages, narratives or other information that inappropriately disparages Americans past or living … (or) that emphasizes matters unrelated to the beauty, abundance, or grandeur” of natural features.
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Share these Dem-NPL Graphics!
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The Century Club supports our year-round work to build party infrastructure supporting candidate recruitment, local district and regional leadership, issue-based education, and tools for Dem-NPL success.
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Help us elect great Democrats up and down the ballot!
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The North Dakota Democratic-NPL is launching a new grassroots program called “Neighbor to Neighbor” where volunteers will connect with voters in your community to elect Democrats up and down the ballot. As a volunteer, you will be responsible for connecting with voters in 25 homes in your neighborhood or friends and family to help elect Democrats up and down the ballot about 3-4 times this year.
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Grassroots organizers are the lifeblood of the Dem-NPL! Sign up to volunteer with the Dem-NPL!
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