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! If you would like to have something added to the newsletter, email us at [email protected]. Spread the word of our newsletter by sharing our sign-up link today: https://demnpl.com/join-our-newsletter/.

Upcoming Events!

Have an event to share? Fill out this form!
Look up your district here!

RESCHEDULED: Souris Valley Dems Saturday Volunteer Door Hanger Initiative

Saturday, May 18, 2024 – 10 AM
Main Street Books
8 Main St S., Minot

Join the Souris Valley Dem-NPL on Saturday, May 18 at 10 AM in Main Street Books as we begin distributing doorhangers to our friends and neighbors in Minot!

The June Primary Election is fast approaching, and we need to begin getting the word out about our amazing state and local candidates, along with information on how to vote.

Grab a friend and meet us at Main Street Books. We’ll have lists of addresses to leave campaign literature at – no door knocking required! Coffee and donuts will also be provided. We look forward to seeing you there!

Meet and Greet with Lisa Hermosillo for D38 House!

Sunday, May 19, 2024 – 11:00 AM
Broadway Bean & Bagel
1701 S Broadway Minot

If you’re interested in meeting your local D38 Dem-NPL House candidate and discussing your most important issues, consider joining Lisa Hermosillo for a candidate Meet and Greet!

On Sunday, May 19th, Lisa will also be hosting a Coffee and Conversation event from 11am-1pm at Broadway Bean & Bagel (1701 S Broadway, Minot). She looks forward to hearing about what matters most to you and to give you an opportunity to learn about her campaign! Lisa will also be picking up the tab for the first 10 coffees ordered!

D16 May Meeting

Monday, May 20, 2024 – 6:30 PM
Virtual

Join us via Zoom on Monday, May 20th at 6:30pm CT for our monthly meeting! All are welcome!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89494198121
Meeting ID: 894 9419 8121
Passcode: 992991

Accountability Rally at the Capitol

Tuesday, May 21, 2024 – 12:00 PM
Capitol Steps
600 E Boulevard, Bismarck

Join Senator Merrill Piepkorn at the Capitol to let our governor know we noticed his absence from his job.

District 24 Candidate Meet & Greet

Tuesday, May 21, 2024 – 5:00 PM
Enderlin VFW Post
9050 225 3rd Ave., Enderlin

Come meet District 24 Candidates Knut "Pete" Gjovik, Nancy Farnham, and Shaun Olauson at the Enderlin VFW! District 24 Leadership Meeting to follow!

Grow with Grossbauer!

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 – 6:00 PM
Grand Forks

You’re invited to join us on May 22nd from 6-8PM for the official launch of Grossbauer for District 42! Enjoy light refreshments and great camaraderie.

May 25th Williston Area Fundraiser - Districts 2 & 23

Saturday, May 25, 2024 – 3:00 PM
Bakken Airport Hotel
5813 Jefferson Ln. Williston

Join Representative Josh Boschee and our District 2 Candidates Rosemary Tanberg, Betty Dhuyvetter, and Gene Nygaard! More information to come!

Taco bar will be served with cash bar available.

District 14 Campaign Kick-Off Party

Sunday 2, 2024 – 4:00 PM
223 2nd St., Fillmore

Meet District 14 Dem-NPL candidates:
Mark Nelson, Senate
Jessica Hawkes & Cathy Jelsing, House
Hosted by Rugby Kitchen Cabinet:
Joel & Carol Braaten, Gerry Brenno, Tim & Sheila Ostrem

Address: 223 2nd St., Fillmore, ND 58332
Directions from ND Hwy 3 “Balta turn”:
9 miles east on 53rd St NE (toward Silva), 1 mile north on 38th Ave NE, then turn east into Fillmore and follow the signs.

RSVP not required, but appreciated:
[email protected]
www.demnpl.com/district14candidates

Merrill Piepkorn’s 75th Birthday!

Sunday, June 9, 2024 – 2:00 PM
Crooked Lane Farm
17385 Co Hwy 4, Colfax

Enjoy pulled pork and turkey, baked beans, potato salad, summer pasta salad, fresh fruit, bars, cookies, lemonade and water. A cash bar will be available.

Entertainment by: The Radio Stars and other musical surprises!

NOTE: Due to limited capacity at the venue, RSVPs will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

There is no charge for this event, but a freewill donation to fund Merrill’s campaign for Governor is much appreciated.

RSVP by JUNE 3

Help us spread our message—share these posts from the past week!

Response to Gov Burgum's absence from his job to attend the election interference trial in New York
From the Executive Director

Gov Burgum's presence in support of the former president at the trial where he is being charged with illegally influencing the outcome of an election makes clear his willingness to sell out his character and his state. We call on him to tell us who funded this trip, including his security.

While Burgum travels the country in servitude to the former president, the two republicans vying for his job spend every day fighting over who loves that ex president more. Burgum's disrespect for the rule of law at the trial, in the attacks on the trial judge and his family, are absolutely not what we recognize as North Dakota values. North Dakotans respect our judicial system and law enforcement, and we regret our Governor can't do the same.

Senator Merrill Piepkorn is running to be a Governor for all North Dakotans. Piepkorn will make our state his priority from day one, and guard the integrity of his office and the state with dignity and honor.

Letter: Inflation Reduction Act and clean energy are good for North Dakota's future

by Sonja Kaye

The Inflation Reduction Act offers a clear path: cleaner air, a stronger economy, and a state we can all be proud of.

Read More

Running into powerful headwinds, U.S. Senate challenger Katrina Christiansen feels right at home


“I'm not Nancy Pelosi, I'm not Chuck Schumer,” she said. “I'm this kid from Pender, Nebraska (population 1,048). I grew up poor, in harsh conditions. I had to work my way through college and keep up scholarships to pay for school. I've worked my whole life to get to where I am. I just want to make sure that people have the same opportunity that I had, and that they're OK, that they have the things they need in order to thrive in North Dakota.”

Read More

ND Democrats calling for resignation of Rep. Jason Docktor


“Let this be a ND Democrats calling for resignation of Rep. Jason Docktor
warning to anyone who thinks they can use an elected office to enrich themselves and deceive the American public: No one is above the law,” Goldwyn said.

Read More

North Dakota policy, political rhetoric overlook transgender kids


The North Dakota legislative branch has no transgender representatives among the 141 lawmakers who voted on those bills, with only two openly LGBTQ+ members. The majority of the LGBTQ+ bills were sponsored by just a handful of districts, lawmakers and lobbying groups.

Read More

Port: Disgraced lawmaker to be featured speaker at North Dakota Young Republicans event


“The lack of accountability from North Dakota Republican Leadership is horrendous," Adam Goldwyn, chair of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL, said in a statement about the NDYR event.

Can anyone say that he's wrong?

Read More

Rep. Jason Dockter found guilty


Amy Dalrymple, ND Monitor, is on Afternoons Live with Tyler Axness to discuss the one day trial of North Dakota Rep. Dockter and his guilty verdict.

Listen Now

US Attorney Mac Schneider talks about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Day


Mac Schneider is the US Attorney for North Dakota, and joins Joel in the KFGO studio to talk about MMIP Day. May 5th was Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Day, and Mac talks about what the state is doing to address these cases. Joel also asks him about the Ray Holmberg case and his relationship with the Attorney General's office.

Listen Now

Jury finds Rep. Dockter guilty of misdemeanor conflict-of-interest charge


The building deal originally came together during Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem’s tenure. The representative was friends with Stenehjem, and previously served as his campaign treasurer. Stenehjem died in office in 2022.

Read More

Rep. Dockter should explain discrepancy in his testimony


Was he confused when he gave that answer? If Dockter didn’t want to answer questions about his votes, he didn’t have to testify. Dockter did appear nervous when he took the witness stand, but his attorney was polished and well prepared. The testimony came under direct examination, which surely Dockter and his attorney had rehearsed. As an experienced lawmaker, Dockter would know how to research his voting record if he needed to refresh his memory when preparing for trial.

Read More

Rep. Ista weighs in on Rep. Dockter’s misdemeanor conviction


“We do have to have accountability for lawmakers. Regardless of party, it should be a bipartisan issue that we expect our elected officials to [have] integrity, and [act] within the bounds of ethics,” Ista concluded.

Watch Now

Letter: Free lunches should be based on poverty


The members of the ND Legislature voted themselves a per diem raise for their lunch on the taxpayers of ND.

I don't believe any members of the North Dakota Legislature lives 130% below the Federal Poverty Line.

Read More

North Dakota changes course on tribal redistricting case, asks US Supreme Court to rule


“We opposed this unconscionable change of position when the Attorney General raised it with us, and we oppose it now,” Fox said in a statement. “MHA Nation was right to intervene in this suit, as, once again, it becomes apparent that our Tribe must forcefully act to protect our own interests.”

Read More

North Dakota joins lawsuit to block federal transgender sports rule


"I remember when it was asked if gay kids should be in locker rooms," she said. "It wasn't that long ago that women were considered too weak to play full court basketball. Women's sports is one of the places all LGBTQ+ are most accepted. ... Just as people aren't listening to transgender people, they aren't listening to most women athletes. It's simple discrimination."

Read More

Judge orders Rep. Dockter to work with homeless, pay fine


“Maybe you can see how the other side lives, Mr. Dockter,” South Central District Court Judge Bobbi Weiler told the representative after handing down the sentence.

Read More

Dem-NPL leader calls on Bismarck lawmaker to resign after guilty verdict


“Representative Dockter must resign after a jury convicted him of using his public office for personal gain,” Ista said. “He has the right to appeal his conviction, but he should step aside from the privilege of serving in the Legislature.”

Read More

Dem-NPL leader calls on Bismarck lawmaker to resign after guilty verdict


“Representative Dockter must resign after a jury convicted him of using his public office for personal gain,” Ista said. “He has the right to appeal his conviction, but he should step aside from the privilege of serving in the Legislature.”

Read More

Tyler's Take: Dockter Guilty Verdict Should End Business and Usual in Legislature


Republican Rep. Jason Dockter was found guilty on May 3rd and sentenced on May 9th. Judge Weiler brought a strict sentence of $2,500 fine and 250 hours of community service. Why a sentence beyond what the prosecution was asking for? Because Dockter showed no remorse and didn't apologize to the state.

Tyler gives his thoughts and reads listener's texts.

Listen Now

Don't miss these national stories!

Trump’s defense team throws the kitchen sink at Stormy Daniels on Day 14 of hush money trial


Vaughn Hillyard, NBC News Correspondent and Andrew Weissmann, former top prosecutor at the Justice Department join Nicolle Wallace on Deadline White House with reaction to the continuation of Stormy Daniels testimony in the Trump Hush Money trial with Trump’s defense team scraping to the bottom to hit Stormy Daniels as low as possible to try to discredit the witness at the center of the hush money payments.

Watch Now

Medical residents are starting to avoid states with abortion bans, data shows


"We're physicians," said Kousalya Siva, who attended medical school in Virginia and was previously president of the American Medical Student Association. "We're supposed to be giving the best evidence-based care to our patients, and we can't do that if we haven't been given abortion training."

Read More

Social Security Administration to expand access to certain benefits through several upcoming changes


“By simplifying our policies and including an additional program geared towards low-income families, such as the SNAP, we are removing significant barriers to accessing SSI,” Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley said in a statement. “These changes promote greater equity in our programs.”

Read More

Whitmer: Want to protect Michigan abortion rights? Reelect Joe Biden. | Opinion


But Donald Trump and the right-wing groups who support him want to hit the ground running with policies that would put Michigan’s protections in jeopardy. They want to allow the government to invade women’s privacy and monitor their pregnancies, restrict access to IVF and contraception, and outlaw the distribution of abortion pills. And their North Star, a national abortion ban, could effectively cancel out Michigan’s constitutional protections.

Read More

Geoff Duncan: Why I’m voting for Biden and other Republicans should, too


It’s disappointing to watch an increasing number of Republicans fall in line behind former president Donald Trump. This includes some of his fiercest detractors, such as U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu and former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr, who raised eyebrows during a recent interview by vowing to support the “Republican ticket.”

This mentality is dead wrong.

Read More

MSNBC: Jonathan Capehart on President Biden's Trip to Wisconsin


Nikki Haley has won support from one in five Republican primary voters. Donald Trump didn’t campaign for those votes today. But with the stakes so high in this election, the Biden-Harris campaign is continuing its full-court press. President Biden was in Wisconsin to announce a $3.3 billion investment from Microsoft to build a new, artificial intelligence data center at the site of Donald Trump's failed, $10 billion Foxconn project.

Watch Now

Hope Hicks, former Trump confidant, testifies against him in New York criminal trial


Hicks was the ninth witness to testify in Manhattan against the former president. Trump faces 34 felony counts alleging that he falsified New York business records in order to conceal damaging information to influence the 2016 presidential election. Trump claims the trial itself is "election interference" because of how it is disrupting his 2024 bid for president because he must be present in court every day and can't campaign when he is.

Read More

Biden on Trump: He ‘didn’t build a damn thing’


“He promised a $10 billion investment by Foxconn. He came with your senator, Ron Johnson, with a golden shovel and didn’t build a damn thing,” Biden said. “They dug a hole with those golden shovels and then they fell into it.”

Read More

Appeals court upholds Steve Bannon’s contempt-of-Congress conviction for defying Jan. 6 subpoena


Bannon is one of two former members of Trump’s inner circle who faced prosecution for not participating in the House January 6 probe. The second, former Trump White House aide Peter Navarro, is currently serving a four-month prison sentence for his 2023 conviction.

Read More

Retired Americans Warn About Social Security's Future Under Donald Trump


"Current and future American retirees should feel confident about both Medicare and Social Security, which is stronger due to the robust economy under President Biden," he said. "But the future of these earned benefit programs depends on who is elected this fall—both as president and to Congress."

Read More
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.
Help us elect great Democrats up and down the ballot!
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.
Grassroots organizers are the lifeblood of the Dem-NPL! Sign up to volunteer with the Dem-NPL!

facebook twitter website instagram