Dem-NPL Senate Candidate Christiansen blasts Hoeven incompetence, Becker extremism

On Monday morning, State Rep. Rick Becker entered the U.S. Senate Race as an “independent conservative,” making it a three-way race among him, John Hoeven, and Katrina Christiansen.

Christiansen, the Democratic-NPL candidate, said, “Becker entering the race indicates just how weak Hoeven is—the whole federal delegation is the weakest one ND has ever had. At least with Becker we know where he stands—unfortunately it’s with the thoughtless knee-jerk wing of the GOP that wants more to remove subsidies for farmers and freedoms from women and the LGBTQ community. With Hoeven, we never know. He is a weather vane waiting for his orders or a sense of popularity. All of our federal delegation has risen to level of their own incompetence.”

Christiansen continued, “I look forward to Becker’s entrance into the race. It only amplifies the myth of John Hoeven. He has only done two good things in the senate. He won the seat. And he pushed for lower lease payments around the reservoir—otherwise he has been focused on doubling his wealth. This is an opportunity for North Dakota to elect a real problem solver, someone who is used to hard work.”

AG Candidate Lamb applauds N.D. Supreme Court Decision in Landowners’ Rights Case

Tim Lamb, candidate for North Dakota Attorney General, applauds the recent North Dakota Supreme Court decision in favor of landowners’ rights. In Northwest Landowners Association v. State, 2022 ND 150, the Court held that landowners’ sub-surface land rights are protected by the constitution. The case challenged a new law giving sub-surface rights or what is called “pore space” to oil companies drilling the area. The Supreme Court held that the law was unconstitutional. Lamb agrees. He said, “This case is a good example of the exploitation of landowners’ rights. It’s a bright day in North Dakota when the highest court rules in favor of landowners over big oil interests.”

Lamb also says, “if I’m elected, the North Dakota Industrial Commission will be balanced with a voice of reason on it.” The Industrial Commission is comprised of the Governor, Attorney General and Ag Commissioner. Lamb will welcome landowners to the table for their advice. He advocates for open and transparent government at all levels.

Lamb practices law in all state and federal courts in North Dakota, is a 20-year Army veteran and retired Major, has a Master’s degree in management, was on the Grand Forks School Board for 15 years, and is a fifth generation North Dakotan. He is married and has two sons, and lives in Grand Forks.

Dem-NPL Lawmakers Request AG Opinion to Clarify ND Abortion Law

Two Democratic-NPL lawmakers today requested an opinion from North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley to clarify the state’s abortion restrictions.

Reps. Zac Ista (D-Grand Forks) and Karla Rose Hanson (D-Fargo) said conflicts in statute could result in doctors not treating life-threatening ectopic pregnancies or victims of rape requiring permission from a spouse to obtain an abortion, so clarity is needed for the medical and legal communities.

“A formal opinion from our attorney general can resolve the conflicts and inconsistencies in abortion-related state laws that no doubt will create confusion for medical and legal professionals,” Hanson said. “The last thing we want is for a health care provider to hesitate in a medical crisis because they face potential legal jeopardy. Delaying or denying care in emergency situations, like an ectopic pregnancy, could put a pregnant person’s life at further risk.”

On June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion in its decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a right that had been in place for 49 years. The North Dakota legislature passed a so-called “trigger” law in 2007 designed to ban abortion if the U.S. Supreme Court ever overturned Roe v Wade. Wrigley’s certification of the law means that it will be a Class C felony to perform an abortion in North Dakota beginning Aug. 26.

A separate section of North Dakota Century Code called the Abortion Control Act, which became law in 1975, specifies that the treatment for an ectopic pregnancy is an exception to the definition of an abortion, meaning it would be a lawful procedure. However, the 2007 trigger ban does not provide any exceptions at all, including for ectopic pregnancies. When two separate laws conflict, the more recently enacted law, like the trigger ban, normally controls.

“Under the trigger ban, all abortions will be illegal, without any exceptions,” Ista said. “That means physicians can be charged with a felony for performing an abortion even if done to save a woman’s life or the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. In those circumstances, the trigger ban puts the high burden on the doctor to prove an affirmative defense to the felony charge. This means the doctor is guilty until proven innocent. That’s a risk doctors should never have to take when providing emergency health care.”

North Dakota’s abortion laws also could be read that if a married woman becomes pregnant as the result of rape, she would need her spouse’s written consent in order to obtain an abortion, even if her spouse is the person who raped her.

“Absurd and dangerous scenarios like these are what happen when lawmakers prioritize their extreme ideologies over sound public policy,” Hanson said. “Abortion is a deeply personal decision that should be made without interference from lawmakers.”

Ista added, “Women’s lives and doctor’s livelihoods will be at risk because of the trigger ban. If the Attorney General is unwilling or unable to provide clarity on these conflicts in existing law, these risks will be even higher. Either way, the legislature must act next session to protect women and their healthcare providers.”

Sens. Heckaman and Potter demand answers at Press Conference Thursday

Calls for investigations mount as Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman and D-35 Senator Tracy Potter demand answers regarding multiple issues that have engulfed the Attorney General’s office over the past few weeks.

“There seems to be a lack of authority to even lease this building, let alone pay for improvements to a building the state does not even own. The benefits of the overrun will only enhance the value of that building for the owners—which is not the state. Also, the committee heard from Mr. Boyle, Facility Manager, that he was unaware of this project. I go back to the old game show on TV, The Weakest Link. There certainly were some weak links here, and I am asking the Governor and Attorney General to initiate a complete investigation into this matter immediately,” urged Heckaman.

Potter sent a letter to the Attorney General’s office on July 26, 2022 noting laws that appear to have been broken when former AG Stenehjem’s email account was deleted.

“We’re seeking legislative solutions. It is better to ask these questions of the Attorney General today, so when we meet on August 24—that’s the next meeting of Government Administration—we’re dealing with answers, not questions.” Potter said, “There are state laws in place. They were violated. They were ignored”

Heckaman also brought up mysterious circumstances about her removal from the Appropriations Subcommittee. “I served in Appropriations and on the subcommittee for the AG’s Budget. I could not recall this happening but just before the conference committee with the House on this budget, former Senator Holmberg removed me from that subcommittee and replaced me with Sen. Mathern, who had not been part of any of this subcommittee work over several weeks. Why did that happen? Did I ask the wrong question or the right question? I don’t know.”

At the end of her speech, Heckaman thanked the media for bringing as much information forward to the people of North Dakota through your work. “The citizens do not have the luxury of attending every committee or subcommittee work. That is our job as legislators, but you have done an excellent job of bringing issues forward.”

Heckaman emphasized, “I’m going to amplify my original request to the Governor and current Attorney General to begin a complete investigation, including the Information Technology Department, who actually did the deleting. Someone is not informed on policies and procedures and that needs fixing, but a complete investigation with an audit of the lease and overrun needs to be done immediately. The longer we wait, the more evidence that fades away.”
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“Outrageous and Baffling” says Dem-NPL Chair on Attorney General Drew Wrigley Refusal to Call for Outside Investigate into Deleted Email Account

On Friday, Democratic-NPL Party Chair Patrick Hart said, “It’s outrageous and baffling that Drew Wrigley has decided not to investigate this further. Is he trying to hide something? Democrats and Republicans across the state have called for this. What is going on?”

Yesterday, Tim Lamb, candidate for North Dakota Attorney General, demanded that an independent special prosecutor be appointed to conduct an investigation into the intentional deletion of the former attorney general’s entire email history.

The facts in this instance indicate that the day after Wayne Stenehjem died, his entire attorney general state government email account was ordered to be completely deleted for the purpose of denying anyone from accessing that information from a government records request under open records laws .

Lamb says, “an independent special prosecutor should be appointed to: 1) ascertain why this matter was only recently discovered; 2) determine if any laws were violated; 3) establish accountability and policy review of this matter; 4) find out why there was a huge cost overrun on a rehab project that triggered the email request from the press; 5) determine if there were any procurement policies that were violated in the lease and rehab of the additional office space building for the ND Attorney General’s Office; 6) make a report of the findings and recommendations; and finally, 7) present the report to the press, governor and legislative sub-committee.”

“Justice will be served if these steps are taken,” emphasized Lamb.

Dem-NPL Federal Candidates Christiansen and Haugen blast opponents for spineless inaction on Jan 6th attack on U.S. Capitol

Following the Thursday January 6th Committee Hearing, U.S. Senate Candidate Katrina Christiansen and U.S. House Candidate Mark Haugen criticized their opponents, for their milquetoast responses to the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“Hoeven hides until favorable winds are blowing. The Jan. 6th committee hearings have shown just how dangerous GOP complacency and hunger for power is to our democracy. Hoeven would rather focus on something that polls well than address how the insurrection and the ‘Big Lie’ threaten our democratic institutions.” lambasted Christiansen.

Haugen chided, “Kelly Armstrong had the opportunity to be on this committee, but let the GOP House Leader Kevin McCarthy pull him. When our democracy is on life support, Rep. Armstrong would prefer to attempt to further his own career than stand for the Republic. He has been a coward for when he could have been an independent voice. I have always stood for my principles, and would never put those aside to cozy up to party leadership like Rep. Armstrong has.”

Dem-NPL AG Candidate, Tim Lamb Demands Independent Special Prosecutor Investigate Attorney General Email Account Issues

Tim Lamb, candidate for North Dakota Attorney General, demands that an independent special prosecutor be appointed to conduct an investigation into the intentional deletion of the former attorney general’s entire email history.

The facts in this instance indicate that the day after Wayne Stenehjem died, his entire attorney general state government email account was ordered to be completely deleted for the purpose of denying anyone from accessing that information from a government records request under open records laws.

Stenehjem died on January 28, 2022, while still in office. Then, Drew Wrigley was appointed.

Lamb says, “an independent special prosecutor should be appointed to:

1) ascertain why this matter was only recently discovered;

2) determine if any laws were violated;

3) establish accountability and policy review of this matter;

4) find out why there was a huge cost overrun on a rehab project that triggered the email request from the press;

5) determine if there were any procurement policies that were violated in the lease and rehab of the additional office space building for the ND Attorney General’s Office;

6) make a report of the findings and recommendations; and finally,

7) present the report to the press, governor and legislative sub-committee.”

“Justice will be served if these steps are taken,” according to Lamb. Tim Lamb is the ND Dem-NPL endorsed candidate for ND Attorney General. He is a 20-year Army veteran as a Major, company commander, and staff officer to a 2-star general officer. He was a school board member for 15 years in Grand Forks. He is married with two children. Lamb practices law in all state and federal courts in North Dakota. He is a 5th generation North Dakotan.

Dem-NPL Chair Calls for Investigation into AG Email Deletion

Today on News and Views with Joel Heitkamp, Democratic-NPL Party Chair Pat Hart reamed the likely criminal activity which occurred when the late Attorney General’s email account was deleted and called for an investigation.

“These are people that know better,” said Hart, “They knew what they were doing, and they did it anyway. What else is being covered up?”

The Democratic-NPL is demanding the following:

  • The Attorney General must retain an outside firm to attempt to recover deleted files and locate any deleted correspondence still accessible on other email accounts.
  • The Attorney General needs to investigate what, if anything, the former AG and top deputy were hoping to shield from the public.
  • The Attorney General needs to refer his findings to Burleigh County State’s Attorney Office for criminal investigation and possible charges.
  • Liz Brocker and Troy Seibel should testify before relevant interim legislative committees.

Hart continued, “This event is a great example of waste fraud and abuse! When I worked for the PSC, open record requests and file retention were a serious matter. This blatant disregard for transparency is beyond unacceptable.”

“More Waste, Fraud, and Abuse” snaps Dem-NPL Chair on Deleted Attorney General Email Account

Emails revealed that the day after Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem died, his spokeswoman, Liz Brocker, requested his email account be deleted saying, “We want to make sure no one has an opportunity to make an Open Record request for his emails, especially as he kept EVERYTHING.”

“Again and again we see waste, fraud, and abuse from the NDGOP. When I worked for the PSC, open record requests and file retention were a serious matter. This blatant disregard for transparency is beyond unacceptable. Given the cost overrun situation on the south side offices, I have a hard time not connecting the two, and it’s pretty easy to get into the mindset of a potential coverup. What’s far past troubling is the doubt that this puts the minds of the taxpayers. This smells of a conspiracy gone wrong, and makes one wonder what else is being hidden,” fumed Democratic-NPL Chair Patrick Hart, “This isn’t a surprise to anyone who has made an Open Records request from Ms. Brocker in the past, so much so she’s earned the nickname ‘Liz Blocker.’ If we want to see change in our state government we have to start voting for people with integrity which is something we haven’t seen from the GOP in quite some time.”

Democratic-NPL Lawmakers and Candidates Express Dismay, Frustration with SCOTUS Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta Decision

Bismarck, ND – In Wednesday’s 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court added to their controversial rulings. The decision expanded the authority of state governments on reservation land. Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta erodes tribal sovereignty, and cases like it may continue to do so in the future under this Supreme Court. Justice Neil Gorsuch, who sided with the Court’s liberal justices said, “Truly, a more ahistorical and mistaken statement of Indian law would be hard to fathom.”

Rep. Ruth Buffalo remarked, “The recent SCOTUS ruling in OK vs. Castro-Huerta, is shocking. Tribal nations continue to be undermined and treated with a lack of dignity and respect. The SCOTUS needs to stop legislating from the bench. Every level of government needs to uphold the treaties as well as recognize and honor Tribal sovereignty.”

State House Candidate Lisa Finley-DeVille said “The Supreme Court’s decision undermines Tribal Nation’s sovereignty by expanding State’s authority to have control of what happens on our lands. My ancestors fought and died to exercise sovereignty in our tribal territories, a history that predates colonial rule. The decision will further exacerbate the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People across Turtle Island.”

“The newly antidemocratic majority of the supreme court is in a hurry to preserve what ails us, in this case, disregarding tribal sovereignty.The court lacks the objectivity to recognize its hubris and will as racist and unjust. The court was honor bound to interpreting the constitution and our laws but is now bound to *far right-wing* activist,” said U.S. Senate Candidate Katrina Christiansen

Attorney General Candidate Tim Lamb asserted, “I support Justice Neil Gorsuch’s reasoning in maintaining the long-standing tradition of respecting tribal territorial sovereignty in criminal matters. The decision further erodes the trust and confidence of precedence under the U.S. Supreme Court, since this decision reverses an earlier decision when there were four liberal-minded justices on the court whom he joined to establish a majority.”

Sen. Tim Mathern, “It appears the voters have been misled again, this Supreme Court has become an activist court! The five Indigenous Nations in North Dakota may suffer the consequence.”

Democratic-NPL Legislative Leaders React To AG Office Budget Overrun

Bismarck, ND – Attorney General Drew Wrigley informed the ND Legislative Budget Section that the Attorney General’s office had accrued significant cost overruns due to a building it leases to house BCI, the Lottery, and the State Fire Marshal.

There was a total of $1.8 million in overrun costs. $1.4 million of the unanticipated costs had to be scrapped together from the existing AG office budget. Another $400,000 is expected to be paid in the coming year. The Budget Section voted, today, to investigate building leases under the Attorney General’s Office.

Wrigley stated that in January 2021, Attorney General Stenehjem and Deputy Attorney General Seibel were aware of these overrun costs, however, budget staff within the AG Office was not made aware until June 2021.

House Minority Leader Josh Boschee stated, “It completely dumbfounds me that the highest ranking attorney and his deputy blatantly ignored state procurement and contracting procedures to secure a lease that now leaves North Dakotans overpaying for leased office space. As part of committee investigation or performance audit, we need to understand their motivations to fleece the public like this. Transparency, proper disclosure and checks and balances are integral at all levels of government to maintain the public’s trust. This is why I have been supportive of greater disclosure laws required of lawmakers who rent space to or provide services to state government, to keep sweetheart deals from occurring. I am thankful for the dedicated public employees who brought these inappropriate actions to the light.”

Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman remarked, “The state has well documented procurement and contracting procedures in place for North Dakotans to have trust that their tax dollars are handled appropriately. Learning about this situation raises many concerns about what other misuse of power occurred in the Attorney General’s Office. As a member of the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee, I am committed to finding out how this could occur, and ensure that there is stronger oversight of existing leases, contracts and procurement processes to ensure any actual or perceived conflict of interest is addressed.”

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North Dakota Legislators and Legislative Candidates React to Supreme Court Decision overturning Roe vs. Wade

Bismarck, ND – Democratic-NPL Legislators and Legislative Candidates reacted to the Supreme Court’s decision to Overturn Roe vs. Wade.

Rep. Karla Rose Hanson of Fargo said, “By rolling back abortion rights at the federal level, the court is giving state legislatures the power to determine a pregnant person’s rights. Many states, including North Dakota, will immediately curtail these rights. Such extreme abortion restrictions are yet another example of Republican overreach. People should be able to make deeply personal decisions about when and whether to have a family without interference from lawmakers.”

Megan Edwardson, a ND House candidate in Fargo, said, “A woman’s right to choose has been legal precedent since 1973 and overturning its decision is detrimental to women’s healthcare. A woman’s decision on abortion should always be between her and her doctor, and I will fight for policies that support a woman’s right to choose, always.”

“I know what it’s like not to have a choice. Not to have a choice when you are victimized; as a child, a young girl, a young woman and as an adult. I am the survivor of incest and rape. I know what it’s like to fight against my assailants and be left defeated, broken, ashamed and powerless. I know the shock and pain of losing an unexpected child to miscarriage, to endure a procedure for the preservation of my life, and I know the isolation it all leaves behind. The very idea that Roe may be struck down weakens my knees. All the trigger-laws that will fall in line with such an act pulls me into moments of silent prayer for women and girls.” expressed ND House Candidate Lillian Jones of Fargo.

“Women should make their own decisions about what healthcare is best for them. That’s their right. But today’s Supreme Court decision lets politicians in Bismarck and Washington interfere with these private healthcare decisions. I believe that’s wrong, and I will stand against efforts to further erode our fundamental rights here in North Dakota.” Representative Zac Ista of Grand Forks stated.

“I remember when abortion was illegal. It still happened. Passing a law does end abortion. It just makes wealthier women travel out of states or to another country for safe, private health care while poor women resort to unsafe procedures because it is illegal.” remarked Senator Tracy Potter of Bismarck.

In 2014, North Dakota rejected a measure that would have completely banned abortions with over 64% of the vote. The North Dakota Democratic-NPL stands with a woman’s intrinsic right to make their own, personal health care decisions without the interference of the government. We will continue to fight for that right, and to push for investments in health care, child care, and food security that truly protect life.