KatieBentonD17 - Dem-NPL Party Democrats

Katie is running for the North Dakota Senate because she has watched the legislature in action, and she knows North Dakota can do better. This last session made something very clear to her: too many of the bills coming out of Bismarck were not about solving real problems for real North Dakotans. They did not make life more affordable. They did not address housing costs that keep climbing or rents that are out of reach. And they did not reflect what people in local communities are actually asking for. Katie believes North Dakotans deserve representatives who listen and then act, and she is ready to be one of them.

Katie’s entire career has been rooted in education: public, private, K-12, and now higher education. She has seen firsthand how strong schools build strong communities. When students have positive experiences in their local schools, they are more likely to stay, work, and raise families in North Dakota. At a time when the state is struggling to attract and retain professionals, Katie believes fully supporting public schools is one of the smartest strategies North Dakota has. But instead of investing in them, she has seen voucher bills, book bans, bathroom bills, and other distractions that pull attention away from what schools actually need: resources, respect, and real support. When the legislature underfunded NDDPI last session, Katie says they made their priorities clear. She is running to make sure that never happens again.

Katie also believes every North Dakotan deserves reliable, affordable healthcare, and that no one should have to worry about paying for a doctor’s visit or the prescriptions they depend on. Families should have the peace of mind that aging parents and grandparents can remain in the communities they love, with access to the care they need close to home. Katie believes North Dakota has strong resources, educational programs, training pathways, and community partnerships that can help recruit and retain the healthcare professionals communities rely on.

Finally, Katie believes District 17 deserves better representation. The district has lived through scandals, absences, and a lack of accountability. She says that is not who North Dakotans are, and it is not what they should accept. Katie is a wife, a mother, and a working professional, and when the legislature is in session, she says voters will find her in Bismarck, showing up, doing the work, and fighting for the people of District 17. She is running because it is time for leadership people can trust, leadership that listens, and leadership that shows up.

North Dakota’s Legislative District 17 is located in Grand Forks County and includes much of southern and western Grand Forks. The district is centered in the city of Grand Forks and includes a mix of established neighborhoods, growing residential areas, working families, retirees, university employees, and young professionals. District 17 does not include many surrounding rural communities, as it is primarily an urban and suburban Grand Forks district.

The district has a population of about 16,000 residents, with a median age in the mid-30s and a strong concentration of families with school-age children. About one quarter of residents are under age 18, and the district has higher-than-average levels of educational attainment and household income compared to the state as a whole.

District 17 is deeply connected to education, healthcare, and public service. Many residents are connected to Grand Forks Public Schools, the University of North Dakota, Altru Health System, Grand Forks Air Force Base, and other local employers. The district reflects both long-time North Dakota roots and newer residents who have chosen to make Grand Forks home.

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