North Dakota loses prolific writer Tony Bender

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 26, 2024

FARGO, ND – Ashley Tribune and Wishek Star Publisher and writer Tony Bender passed away Sunday.

Democratic-NPL Communications Director Laura Dronen said, “For decades Tony has been a standard bearer of progressive values in rural North Dakota. He fearlessly shared his witticisms and criticisms in a time and place where many choose silence. It was disappointing to learn last week that his column would no longer appear in the state’s largest print outlet. America is perilously close to the cliff-face of authoritarianism—permanently losing Tony’s voice at this moment is a gut-punch.

We are heartbroken for Tony’s family (especially India and Dylan) and we mourn with everyone who will miss Tony’s humor and writings.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
[email protected]

Burgum to join “Clown Show” says Dem-NPL ED

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 15, 2024

FARGO, ND – President-Elect Donald Trump has selected North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum as Secretary of the Interior.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Executive Director Cheryl Biller said, “After a year of campaigning with Trump to get a Secretary of State or Energy posting, we hope Burgum feels his bootlicking was worth it. He’ll be serving alongside a puppy killer, a philanderer with a sexual assault allegation, a man at the center of a sex trafficking probe, a Russian asset, and a man with a literal brainworm. He wanted to be part of this clown show, and he got it.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
[email protected]

HOGAN, ISTA RE-ELECTED DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATIVE LEADERS; REP. DOBERVICH, REP. DAVIS, SEN.-ELECT BOSCHEE, & SEN. BRAUNBERGER ROUND OUT LEADERSHIP TEAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 13, 2024

BISMARCK, ND – The North Dakota Democratic-NPL House and Senate Caucuses re-elected Senator Kathy Hogan (D-Fargo) and Representative Zac Ista (D-Grand Forks) as Senate and House Minority Leaders in a unanimous vote. Joining Hogan’s Senate leadership team are Senator-elect Josh Boschee (D-Fargo) as Assistant Minority Leader and Senator Ryan Braunberger (D-Fargo) as Minority Caucus Leader. In the House, Representative Gretchen Dobervich (D-Fargo) will serve as Assistant Minority Leader and Representative Jayme Davis (D-Rolette) will remain Minority Caucus Leader.

“I am honored to be re-elected Leader by my Senate Democratic colleagues,” said Sen. Hogan. “We look forward to getting to work on the most pressing issues facing North Dakota, including housing, property taxes, workforce development, childcare, and assuring available and affordable mental health care across the state. I am grateful to be joined in this fight by leaders like Josh Boschee and Ryan Braunberger, who bring the experience we need to be an effective caucus this upcoming session” she added.

Rep. Ista said, “We have a talented, dedicated, and hardworking Democratic House caucus. It’s a great honor to be selected as their leader for the 69th Legislative Assembly. I am especially thrilled to serve in leadership alongside my friends Gretchen Dobervich and Jayme Davis, both of whom embody what North Dakotans should expect from their elected officials.”

Hogan and Ista both expressed optimism that they will be able to work across the aisle with the Republican supermajority and Governor-elect Kelly Armstrong when the 2025 legislative session begins in early January.

“Having served with the incoming Governor in the Legislature, I look forward to partnering again with him and Lieutenant Governor-elect Strinden to make crucial investments in our state’s future,” said Sen. Hogan.

Rep. Ista added, “Despite our political differences, we are optimistic that the House and Senate majority caucuses have selected leaders who will prioritize serious governance over the nonsense bills that have come to dominate recent legislative sessions. As Democrats, we will approach the session ready to be earnest governing partners, but we will not shy away from standing up for our fundamental values.”

Returning and newly elected legislators will return to Bismarck for the Organizational Session from December 1-3, 2024. Lawmakers will return again on January 7, 2025, to begin the Regular Session of the 69th Legislative Assembly.

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
[email protected]

Scott Meyer does not have temperament to serve, says Dem-NPL Chair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 22, 2024

GRAND FORKS – Today, KVLY reported that North Dakota State Senator Scott Meyer sent threatening Facebook messages to his Democratic-NPL opponent Kyle Thorson in the wee hours of the morning on October 22.

These messages included:

“Regardless how this election ends, you’ve picked a fight with me. This won’t end 11/5. I’ve done nothing to you, but I won’t forget. Here’s to your stupidity.”

“My friends hate you. You talk too much amigo. I haven’t said sh** about you but my special operators know you. Enjoy” He then sent a screenshot of the top Google result for “Special Operations” and continued with “they don’t like being called out especially by betas like you”

Meyer is a sitting state Senator, who works for the defense industry.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn said, “Scott Meyer voted to decimate pensions for North Dakotan workers, deny school lunch to hungry students, and kill policies to help bring down drug costs. Because he can’t justify his votes with his words, he’s threatening Kyle Thorson for pointing them out. Meyer lacks the judgment and temperament to serve any longer. He should end his campaign and resign from office. All of his Republican colleagues who believe in our nation’s ideals of free and fair elections should also demand that of him. If he won’t do the right thing, the voters of District 18 have a choice: to tell the world that they are a community that condones threats of violence, or to be a community that rejects it. The North Dakota Republican party has lost its moral compass; the only message they understand is a loss at the ballot box. Voters in District 18 must vote for Kyle Thorson.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

Ray Holmberg continues to violate the conditions of his release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 11, 2024

FARGO – Today, KFGO reported that Ray Holmberg CONTINUES to violate the conditions of his release.

In August, Former State Senator Ray Holmberg (R-Grand Forks) pleaded guilty to traveling to Prague for the purpose of engaging in any illicit sexual contact with a child. It revealed distressing details about the case including that he traveled with someone to Prague in 2011, he paid a former UND student for sex for several years, and he once said “You’d be surprised what you can do with a 12-year-old boy.”

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn said, “At this point I’m repeating myself. What Ray Holmberg did was disgusting and heinous. It’s a betrayal of our nation’s promise to protect its children that Holmberg is still gallivanting about Grand Forks as if nothing happened.

That he travelled to Prague to rape children on the tax-payers’ dime is a betrayal to every North Dakotan. Why must we put up with this added insult?

While this is the most extreme case of a Republican lawmaker abusing their position, it is not the only one. Whether it’s Nico Rios drunkenly harassing police officers, Jason Dockter being convicted for profiting from taxpayer funds, Julie Fedorchak profiting off the industry she regulates, Kelly Armstrong ignoring North Dakota’s already lax financial disclosure requirements, Emily O’Brien’s alleged illegally lobbying, Claire Cory drinking and driving, or out-on-bail felon Donald Trump’s long list of crimes, Republicans think that they are above the law. Voters have a clear choice this election: the Republican Party is the party of criminals; the Democratic Party, led by a former prosecutor, is the party of law and order and we will always fight to protect children. If our courts won’t hold child sex offenders, corrupt self-dealers, drunk drivers, and other Republican lawbreakers accountable, we the people must, at the ballot box.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

Democratic-NPL Executive Committee adopts positions on North Dakota Ballot Measures 1, 2, and 4

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 10, 2024

FARGO and WILLISTON – The North Dakota Democratic-NPL Executive Committee voted to support Constitutional Measure 1, and oppose Constitutional Measure 2 and Initiated Measure 4.

The North Dakota Democratic-NPL supports Constitutional Measure 1.

District 23 Candidate and Democratic-NPL Executive Committee Member Mark Casler said, “I support Measure 1 because it will modernize language in the North Dakota Constitution. This will change outdated language from things like ‘deaf and dumb’ to ‘deaf and hard of hearing.’ This will help to make sure that the North Dakota Constitution is inclusive of all people.”

The North Dakota Democratic-NPL opposes Constitutional Measure 2.

Casler said, “I strongly oppose Measure 2. This measure was designed to make it harder for the people to initiate laws or constitutional amendments. This was done because the Legislature does not want the people to have that power. This is a major example of legislative overreach. The people should always have the power and defeating this measure will make sure that the people of North Dakota have that right.”

Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn added, “North Dakota Legislators continue to try to make it more difficult for North Dakotans to engage in direct democracy. If they trust North Dakota voters to elect them, why don’t they trust them to vote on laws directly?”

The North Dakota Democratic-NPL opposes Initiated Measure 4.

Goldwyn said, “Voters are right that property tax reform is one of the most important issues facing our state, but Measure 4 is not the way to do it. For over a decade the Democratic-NPL has been calling for meaningful property tax relief. In the 2023 legislative session, Sen. Merrill Piepkorn proposed a bill that would have implemented a tax refund of up to 10% on the taxes property owners pay on their primary residence. Measure 4 is just a shell game that rips critical funding for essential services, and would benefit out-of-state corporations most. North Dakotans care about their neighbors. We don’t want our public schools, local law enforcement, or EMS to be underfunded. This would be especially burdensome to our rural communities. In 2025, the Legislature must take action to provide real relief for North Dakotans, not out-of-state billionaires.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

NDNC using hyper partisan polling firm is a disservice to North Dakotans, says Democratic-NPL Chair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 2, 2024

FARGO – The North Dakota News Cooperative released a poll on the U.S. Senate race which they commissioned from the WPA Intelligence. WPA Intelligence is a GOP polling firm that actively works to elect Republicans including Kevin Cramer.

Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn said, “It’s deeply disappointing to learn that the North Dakota News Cooperative is using the same extremely partisan polling firm as Kevin Cramer. This firm not only does GOP polling, but provides messaging guidance to rightwing candidates and helps them build donor networks. Their own website brags, ‘WPAi has been the data team behind the analytics and polling for Glenn Youngkin’s 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial campaign, the 2016 Cruz for President effort, the providers of data strategy for the Las Vegas Raiders relocation, and are continually an integral part of the RNC Voter Scores program.’ This calls into question the objectivity of the reporting we see, since, as they say in polling, ‘garbage in, garbage out.’

The NDNC is staffed and run by good, honest people, so that’s why it’s all the more baffling that they would use a firm with such an overt partisan agenda. We’re certainly not asking them to use a Democratic firm—it’s a disservice to North Dakotans for them to be using this firm when there are hundreds of independent polling outfits to choose from.

At the end of the day the only poll that matters is the one on November 5. Katrina Christiansen can win this election. She knows that. Kevin Cramer knows that. The voters of North Dakota know that. While Kevin Cramer treats this all as a big game, Katrina has traveled to every county in this state offering real solutions to the real problems facing real North Dakotans.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

Democratic-NPL Chair reacts to VP Debate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 1, 2024

FARGO – Tuesday night, Governor Tim Walz and Senator JD Vance debated on CBS.

Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn released this statement following the debate:

“Political preferences aside, every Upper-midwestern should be proud of Gov. Tim Walz. Walz has devoted his life to public education, and ran for office after his students encouraged him. JD Vance on the other hand has been groomed by Silicon Valley types to do their bidding in Congress: to give massive handouts to billionaires and big corporations and give Trump unprecedented, unchecked power to do whatever he wants. Vance wrote a book foreword for the architect of the Project 2025 agenda, calling on far-right extremists to ‘circle the wagons and load the muskets’ while praising the Project 2025 agenda as an ‘essential weapon,’ and tried to hide his extremism behind lie after lie after lie. Governor Walz was right: all Vance could do was ‘give a damn non-answer’ to even the most basic questions.

Walz passed the largest bipartisan infrastructure bill in Minnesota history, cracked down on junk fees to lower costs for Minnesota families, stood up for fundamental freedoms, and made Minnesota the first state to pass a law codifying abortion rights after the Supreme Court overturned Roe and stripped tens of millions of Americans of the right to make their own medical decisions.

We saw a clear distinction between these two men tonight: one will lie to you for Donald Trump and one will fight for you and your family. Upper-midwesterners are lucky to have a role model like Walz.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

Former ND Young Republicans Vice Chair, son of District 24 GOP Candidate arrested for alleged involvement in Jan 6 U.S. Capitol Mob

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 30, 2024

FARGO – KFGO reported today that Damian Johnston, the former North Dakota Young Republicans Vice Chair and son of District 24 Republican House Candidate Dan Johnston was arrested for allegedly participating in the mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

In photos included in the criminal complaint, Johnston could be seen speaking into what “appears to be a microphone” and using a flip phone to film and take photos from within the U.S. Capitol Building.

Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn remarked, “January 6 was one of the darkest days in modern American history. Obeying Donald Trump’s orders, MAGA criminals ransacked the Capitol, imperiled democracy, and brutally assaulted law enforcement officers. US Capital Police Officer Brian Sicknick was killed—four others died by suicide following the riot. These rioters should all be held accountable in a court of law. Every single Republican running for office should be denouncing Johnston’s actions.”

In addition to running for District 24 House, Johnston’s father gave the nominating speech for Senator Kevin Cramer at the North Dakota Republican Convention. Johnston’s mother seconded the nomination for Kelly Armstrong for Governor.

Goldwyn continued, “Will Kevin Cramer and Kelly Armstrong denounce Johnston’s actions or will they stand by the far-right radicals they have embraced since January 6? As the Vice Chairman of the North Dakota Young Republicans, Johnston would have had an influential role in building up young NDGOP candidates and lawmakers. District 10 Republican House Candidate Jared Hendrix and District 42 State Representative Claire Cory have been active in the North Dakota Young Republicans–did they know about and do they condone Johnston’s actions?

Whether it’s Ray Holmberg traveling to Prague with intentions to rape children, Nico Rios drunkenly harassing police officers, Jason Dockter being convicted for profiting from taxpayer funds, Emily O’Brien’s alleged illegally lobbying, Claire Cory drinking and driving, or out-on-bail felon Donald Trump’s long list of crimes, Republicans think that they are above the law. Voters have a clear choice this election: the Republican Party is the party of criminals, the Democratic-NPL is the party of law and order.”

Regarding the District 24 race specifically, Goldwyn said, “The choice in this election is clear: Democrats like Nancy Farnham, Shawn Olauson, and Pete Gjovik stand firmly on the side of democracy, our police, and the rule of law. Dan Johnston, Dwight Keifert, and Mike Wobbema stand with un-American, unpatriotic, cop-killers.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

DNC Announces Five Figure Investment in the North Dakota Democratic-NPL for Final Push in November

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 27, 2024

FARGO – Today, the Democratic National Committee announced nearly $40,000 in funding to the North Dakota Democratic-NPL as part of investments to dozens of states, reaching a cycle benchmark of targeted campaign investments in all 57 states and territories as we hit the final stretch for November’s elections.

Leveraging its record-breaking fundraising, this historic investment in dozens of state parties totals nearly $2.5 million in targeted resource deployment for the final stretch to November. These funds, allocated to both traditionally red and blue states, will help strengthen coordinated campaigns and boost Democratic wins in down-ballot races, like in North Dakota.

“The DNC is committed to electing Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz, and ensuring Democrats are competing everywhere to offer residents of blue and red states alike a New Way Forward through investments up and down the ballot,” said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison.

“Today’s announced campaign investment in the North Dakota Democratic-NPL shows that priority in action. North Dakota Democratic-NPLers will ensure working families can get ahead, while standing up to Trump and Republicans’ extreme agenda to rip away Americans’ most fundamental rights. With Vice President Harris at the helm and record-breaking investments in coordinated campaigns, the DNC and Democratic state parties across the country have the momentum to strengthen coordinated operations in the critical final stretch to November to deliver wins for Democrats and all North Dakotans.”

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn said, “Showing up everywhere is critical for the success of the Democratic Party. We are incredibly grateful to receive these funds so we can spread our message that Democrats will fund our public schools, protect our reproductive freedom and health privacy, and fight to lower the costs of our healthcare and groceries. Expect to see more folks knocking on doors and making calls across our state!”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

Barry Nelson of Fargo to receive Hometown Hero Award at Annual Burdick Dinner

FARGO – Barry Nelson of Fargo will receive the Hometown Hero Award at the 14th Annual Burdick Dinner on September 14, 2024.

Nelson is a social worker who has spent a majority of his career in services for youth, children, refugees and immigrants. It was his almost 20 year tenure with the refugee resettlement program where he first experienced through the lives of others, the injustices that exist within our systems. This set him onto a parallel career of finding ways to stop inequities through public policy and public awareness.

In 2001-2002, he was a founding board member of ND Human Rights Coalition which was formed to advocate for an enforcement mechanism of the state’s human rights laws. For the past 20 years of engagement as board member, board chair, Interim Executive Director, and currently as organizer, Nelson has experienced the generous sharing of life experiences of people considered to be marginalized and has been honored to be in the trenches fighting for justice. He is particularly proud of the legislative advocacy, the establishment of the ND LGBTQ+ Summit and the celebration of countless human rights champions in the state of North Dakota.

Nelson is married, father of two (plus the two fabulous spouses of his children) and grandfather of five.

Nelson has served in many roles in Democratic-NPL leadership including District 45 Chair and Cass County Chair. Nelson was campaign manager for Tyler Axness and Todd Reisenauer’s run for Public Service Commission in 2014. He also managed Laetitia Hellerud’s campaign in her run for state senator in 2020.

Nelson remarked, “all of my campaign efforts have reinforced that despite smart, hardworking candidates, a smart well-run campaign, sometimes our candidates are ahead of the game.” He is a veteran door knocker, event organizer, phone banker and lit dropper. His motto: Our Time Again Will Come.

The keynote speaker of the 14th Annual Burdick Dinner is Rachel Bitecofer, a political scientist and election forecaster turned political strategist who authored Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts. DNC Chair Jaime Harrison said of Bitecofer’s book, “To protect democracy and elect pro-democracy candidates, we must go on offense, and this book is the guide to do just that!” Tickets are available at https://swift-cpa.net/donate/2024burdickdinner. Kylie Oversen of Fargo, Lisa Hermosillo of Minot, and Marvin Nelson of Rolla will also receive awards.

Last year’s keynote speaker was Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who is now running for Vice President.

Dem-NPL statement on North Dakota judge vacating state abortion ban

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 12, 2024

FARGO – Today, a judge vacated North Dakota’s abortion ban, finding the law unconstitutionally vague and an infringement on medical freedom.

In response to Judge to South Central Judicial District Court Judge Bruce Romanick’s decision, Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn and Representative Karla Rose Hanson issued the following statements:

“North Dakotans deserve the freedom to start and grow their families on their own terms. While today’s ruling is a victory for women’s reproductive rights, this ban should have never been allowed in the first place and our freedoms are still at stake in 2024.” said Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn, “While Republicans claim to be the party of less government and individual liberty, they pass laws that put the most intimate and personal decisions in our lives in the hands of politicians. Our Democratic NPL candidates want to restore and protect reproductive freedom and health privacy. Merrill Piepkorn, Katrina Christiansen, and Trygve Hammer believe medical decisions should be between patients and doctors, not politicians and their constituents.”

“North Dakotans deserve the freedom to make deeply personal health care decisions without interference from government extremists.” said Representative Karla Rose Hanson (D-Fargo), “This law was especially cruel for victims of sexual violence—providing a rape and incest exception but only within 6 weeks, before most women know they’re pregnant. It also put North Dakota doctors in legal jeopardy for treating emergencies; the resulting chilling effect was dangerous for patients.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]