Gov. Burgum Must Refuse Support to Candidates Who Back Anti-LGBTQ+ Platform

BISMARCK, ND — The NDGOP Executive Committee disavowed an anti-LGBTQ+ portion of the party’s platform Monday only after receiving blowback in the press and from civil rights advocates. Similar language has been in the party platform since 2016 showing a consistent pattern of discrimination and exclusion.

Also, more than 700 North Dakota Republicans voted on this measure and passed it. The names of those individuals have not been made public. Generally, elected officials and candidates are likely to serve as delegates to party committees, so many active NDGOP legislators possibly voted on this measure or support it. As a major donor in his party, Gov. Burgum, and the other executive members, should refuse contributions and any support to any candidate who has not publicly disavowed this hateful platform.

The Democratic-NPL Party Chairwoman Kylie Oversen said:

“Actions speak louder than words, and NDGOP has shown through their actions, or failure to act before public pressure, that many are at best indifferent to LGBTQ+ rights. They made a positive step by denouncing this language, but any dollar spent supporting a candidate who holds these hateful views would completely invalidate their pearl clutching. North Dakotans and LGBTQ+ individuals deserve more than words to know their rights are protected and their lives valued, and we’re calling on the governor and executive committee to show they mean what they say.”

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