Meet John Pederson
Professor of History and Economics at Mayville State University. I joined the faculty in 1998. During my tenure I have been President of the North Dakota Council of College Faculties, served as the Faculty Advisor to the State Board of Higher Education for two years, was the President of the North Dakota General Education Council, and served six years at the president of the MSU Faculty Association. I also served six years on the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), its board of directors, after serving six years on the ELCA’s Eastern North Dakota Synod Council.
I grew up in small town North Dakota. Most of my childhood was in Hope, where my father was a pastor and my mother a teacher. My senior year my family moved to Walcott and I graduated from Kindred High School. After earning my doctorate, I returned to North Dakota, accepting a position at Mayville State University. I have lived in Mayville the past twenty-six years. I am married and my wife, Julie, and I have two children who are entering tenth and seventh grade this fall.
Priorities
Education is my profession and education is a key part of my campaign. We can do a better job of supporting K – 12 and higher education. I am appalled by the twenty-one bills the Republican super majority sponsored targeting our transgender children, their bills to ban books, restrict what our teachers can teach, and their opposition to providing school lunches for all our children. When our first child was one year old, we drove 72 miles a day to obtain his childcare. Accessible and affordable childcare remains a pressing concern, not just for our families but also our economic vitality. Additionally, my father-in-law lives in an assisted living facility in the same town we live in. I am concerned about health care for residents of all ages, particularly about affordable quality care for our senior citizens.
Campaign News
Paid political letter: A vote for John Pederson is a vote for families
Ideas and opinions in this letter are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the stance of this paper. The author of this letter has paid for its placement.
As a parent, I am beyond frustrated by the tone-deaf vote record of Sen. Randy Lemm. Time and again, he has demonstrated how out of touch he is with the hard-working families of North Dakota. District 20 needs to elect a leader who genuinely cares about our children, our families, and our future.
The childcare crisis in North Dakota has been growing for decades. The lack of affordable, quality child care affects both employers and employees. Yet, when given the chance to address this issue through Senate Bill 2301, which aimed to expand funding and access to childcare, Sen. Lemm voted NO.
Another crucial issue for families is making sure our kids have access to the tools they need to be successful while they are at school, including proper nutrition. School meals are essential for ensuring that North Dakota children have access to the healthy food they need to learn and thrive. House Bill 1491 sought to provide meals to children whose families are struggling but don’t quite qualify for assistance programs. Again Sen. Lemm cast a defiant NO vote.
The people we elect must no longer ignore the needs of working families. This November, we have the opportunity to make a change. I am voting for John Pederson for the North Dakota Senate from District 20. Improving childcare and ensuring that every child gets a nutritious meal are common-sense solutions essential for strong families and a robust economy in North Dakota.
Amber Mutchler
Click HERE to view the article at the Grand Forks Herald.
Northwood, N.D.
Thank you to all who attended this successful parade event on Independence Day!
Endorsements
ND Legislative District 20
I am a Democratic-NPL candidate for North Dakota Senate in District 20, which includes Traill County, Northwood, Larimore, and Thompson located in Grand Forks County, and parts of Walsh County.
