Kylie Oversen to Receive Art and Grace Link Lifetime Achievement Award at Annual Burdick Dinner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 9, 2024

FARGO – Former Democratic-NPL Party Chair and state legislator Kylie Oversen will receive the Art and Grace Link Lifetime Achievement Award at the 14th Annual Burdick Dinner on September 14, 2024. Oversen currently serves as the Chair of the DNC Rural Council.

Oversen was elected to three terms as Chairwoman of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party. When elected, she was the youngest person to hold a state party chair position in the country and remains one of only two women to serve the ND Democratic-NPL in this role. Oversen was also a co-founder and chair of the Democratic-NPL Women’s Caucus, which focused on recruiting and supporting progressive female candidates for state and local office.

From 2012 to 2016, Oversen served in the North Dakota House of Representatives. During her time in the state legislature, Oversen was an especially strong advocate for North Dakota’s children, women, and families. She worked on policies related to equal pay; paid family leave; domestic violence and human trafficking protections and victim support; early childhood education opportunities; and more. Given her background in social work and her time on the Human Services committee, Oversen also became an advocate for improved access to mental and behavioral health services in the state. Given her roots in rural, Western ND, she also advocated for sufficient support to reach communities most impacted by oil boom and bust cycles.

In 2018, Oversen was the Democratic-NPL endorsed candidate for state Tax Commissioner. She is one of only five Democrats in North Dakota to break 40% of the statewide vote since 2012.

Oversen was born and raised in Killdeer, North Dakota. After high school, Oversen received two bachelor’s degrees, in Social Sciences and Social Work, from the University of North Dakota.

She also completed her juris doctor degree at the University of North Dakota School of Law. In the past, Oversen has been recognized for her leadership with the Phenomenal Woman Award, given by the UND Women’s Center & the UND Multicultural Student Center, & with the Woman of the Year Award, given by the North Dakota Women’s Network. In 2014, Oversen was also named by the Washington Post’s blog, “The Fix”, as one of 40 Under 40 politicians to watch.

Oversen is currently employed at the Schneider Law Firm, where she focuses on disability, employment, housing, and juvenile law. She is also involved in the community as a Troop Leader for Girl Scouts and serves on several boards and committees in her community. She lives in Fargo with her husband, Brian, daughter, Adelyn, and her cats, Lewis and Clark.

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.

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

Hermosillo of Minot to Receive Young Dems Award at Annual Burdick Dinner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 5, 2024

FARGO – District 38 Candidate Lisa Hermosillo of Minot will receive the Young Democrats Award at the 14th Annual Burdick Dinner on September 14, 2024.

A military move brought Hermosillo and her family to Minot in August, 2020. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a Concentration in Addiction Studies, and plans to further her education focused in the mental health field.

Hermosillo is currently campaigning full time to represent District 38 in the North Dakota Legislature, but also works as a primary activity leader for children at her church, and finds ways to volunteer when she can.

Hermosillo remarked, “My previous work with the Department of Veterans Affairs strongly contributed to the decision to become an advocate not only in the community, but across military branches.” As a result, she became the founder of a social wellness group called Talk United – Minot, and continues to bring awareness to suicide to the Department of Defense and Congress.

Hermosillo continued, “While I am busy with day to day activities, my greatest role and priority has been and will always be, being a mother. I strive to be the best example to my children by showing them what it means to stand up for what you believe in and how important it is to get involved in the processes that will shape their future.”

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.

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

CONTACT:

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

Inflation Falls to Lowest Level in Over Three Years

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 14, 2024

FARGO – Today the U.S. Department of Labor released the latest consumer price index (CPI) report showing inflation falling to its lowest annualized level since March 2021.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn said, “Under President Biden and Vice President Harris, working families across the country are seeing the benefits of plunging inflation. Republicans are ready to put out-of-state billionaires and big corporations over hardworking North Dakotans. Only the Democratic-NPL candidates – Katrina Christiansen for Senate, Trygve Hammer for House, and Merrill Piepkorn for governor – are the only ones on the ballot this year who will continue the work to lower costs for American families and grow the middle class.”

Economists warn that Trump’s agenda would slow down economic growth and cause higher inflation.

USA Today: “According to a Moody’s study, Trump’s plan would trigger a recession by mid-2025 and an economy that grows an average 1.3% annually during his four-year term vs. 2.1% under Biden. (The latter is in line with average growth in the decade before the pandemic.)

“Next year, under a Trump administration, inflation would rise from the current 3.3% to 3.6%, well above the 2.4% forecast under Biden, the Moody’s analysis shows. Compared with Biden, the U.S. would have 3.2 million fewer jobs and a 4.5% unemployment rate, a half percentage point higher, at the end of a Trump tenure.”

President Biden and Vice President Harris are delivering in North Dakota and across the country while Trump pushes a disastrous economic agenda for working families:

Annual inflation fell below 3% and core inflation fell to its lowest annualized level since April 2021, while wages are rising faster than prices for the 17th consecutive month.

Trump had the worst jobs record of any president since the Great Depression and his plans could supercharge inflation.
Trump and his MAGA allies want to give yet another tax windfall to big corporations, potentially exploding the national debt by another $1 trillion over the next decade.

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

Dem-NPL Statement on Ray Holmberg Plea

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 9, 2024

FARGO –Yesterday, 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, “What Ray Holmberg did was disgusting and heinous. It’s a betrayal of our nation’s promise to protect its children that Holmberg has been able to gallivant 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. We have been patient in letting this case work its way through the justice system, but North Dakotans must be told who knew what Holmberg was doing and when they knew it.

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, 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.”

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

Walz is excellent VP Choice, says Dem-NPL Chair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 7, 2024

FARGO – North Dakota Democratic-NPLers are excited about Vice-President Kamala Harris’ selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Governor Walz was the keynote speaker at the 2023 Democratic-NPL Burdick Dinner.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn “We couldn’t be more thrilled to support Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Walz is a champion for children and families, labor, freedom, and rural America.

The difference between the Harris-Walz ticket and Trump-Vance is night and day. Earlier at a rally in Eau Claire, some attendees were overheated and needed water. Walz stopped his speech to ensure they were helped, and said “‘Take care of your neighbors.’ Meanwhile, J.D. Vance couldn’t even answer the question ‘What makes you happy?’ Voters have a clear choice this election: kindness and joy or cruelty and creepiness.”

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

Holmberg’s release violation continues pattern of GOP criminal behavior

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 5, 2024

FARGO — A recent report from the Fargo Forum uncovered that Former North Dakota Sen. Ray Holmberg violated release conditions ahead of his plea hearing multiple times. Holmberg was set to plead guilty for traveling to Prague with intentions to rape children. The plea agreement would drop a charge that Holmberg possessed child sex abuse materials.

Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn remarked, “This plea agreement was already a sweetheart deal. It’s a betrayal of our nation’s promise to protect its children that Holmberg has been able to gallivant about Grand Forks as if nothing happened. This isn’t new for Republican lawmakers though. Whether it’s 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 Party, led by a former prosecutor, is the party of law and order.”

Cramer does backflips to try to soften Trump’s weird race comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 31, 2024

FARGO — At the National Association of Black Journalists conference in Chicago today, Donald Trump said of Kamala Harris, “I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black. So, I don’t know, is she Indian or is she Black?”

In response Kevin Cramer told a journalist, “I don’t think he’s doubting her blackness. What he’s doing is he’s making fun of the fact that she chooses it when it’s convenient, and chooses another race when that’s convenient.”

Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn remarked, “We don’t need Cramer or any other Trump translator to tell us what he really said. We know what we heard with our own ears. We all know what satire is, and this wasn’t it. It was a gross attempt by Trump to stoke racism, and it’s weird that Cramer is doing backflips to try to soften his comments.”

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

Democratic National Convention Celebrates Accessibility Milestones during Disability Pride Month

CHICAGO – This month, the Democratic National Convention (DNCC) is celebrating Disability Pride Month by announcing several new accessibility milestones. This includes the first-ever ADA-compliant ramp to the convention floor in Democratic National Convention history. In partnership with the City of Chicago, the convention team has also taken significant steps to create a positive experience for convention attendees and city residents with disabilities, leaving a lasting legacy on the city.

In an interview with ABC7 Chicago, DNCC and Chicago 2024 Host Committee Accessibility Advisor Robin Jones highlighted the DNCC’s inclusive approach and strategies to make the 2024 Democratic National Convention the most accessible in history.

In March, the DNCC and Chicago 2024 Host Committee announced Robin Jones as Accessibility Advisor for the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Jones is working closely with the DNCC, Host Committee, United Center, McCormick Place, airports, hotels, and other venues as well as the Mayor’s Office for Persons with Disabilities and other key experts. Together they will ensure that the physical infrastructure and material presented during the 2024 Democratic National Convention meets or exceeds all relevant accessibility standards.

North Dakota Delegation to Democratic National Convention endorses VP Kamala Harris

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 23, 2024

FARGO – After the announcement from President Biden, the North Dakota Delegation to the Democratic National Convention met virtually and voted to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 Democratic Presidential Nomination.

Kylie Oversen, Chair of the North Dakota Delegation, said, “First and foremost, we acknowledge and express our deep gratitude for President Biden’s decades of compassionate public service. His commitment to his family and his faith is one we admire and hope all leaders will emulate. President Biden’s decision to pass the torch to a new generation of leadership comes from a place of humility and true patriotism.”

She added, “The Biden Harris administration has done more for rural America and states like North Dakota than any administration in recent memory. Investments from the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act have been life changing for communities across our state and region. Joe Biden believes in rural America and his policy priorities have made that clear. In particular, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invested hundreds of millions of dollars in clean water infrastructure, broadband expansion, and rebuilding of our roads and bridges. The Biden Harris administration has also prioritized investments in rural health systems, rural electric cooperatives, food security, and infrastructure in our tribal communities. We are grateful for President Biden’s generational and transformative leadership.”

In addition, the delegation discussed and ultimately voted to offer their unanimous support for Vice President Kamala Harris as she accepts President Biden’s endorsement to be the Democratic nominee for President. Oversen stated, “Vice President Harris has been alongside President Biden in his support for rural America. She has been fully vetted on the national stage and has demonstrated her ability to lead in this administration. Her commitment to reproductive justice and improving maternal health outcomes is especially important to me. Our delegation looks forward to a fair, orderly process to nominate our next ticket for President and Vice President, and we remain committed to maintaining Democratic leadership in the White House come November.”

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

Democratic-NPL Chair commends President Biden for his service to the country

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 21, 2024

Fargo — North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party Chair Adam Goldwyn issued the following statement:

“President Biden has been one of the most impactful leaders of my lifetime. With the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Biden made the biggest investment in infrastructure since President Eisenhower. The Biden-Harris Administration saw manufacturing jobs return to the United States with the CHIPS and Science Act. The Inflation Reduction Act lowered health care costs, strengthened American energy security, and it is the most ambitious investment in combating the climate crisis in world history.

For a half century, through personal and political triumphs and setbacks, President Biden has done what he believes is best for our country and our world. Like George Washington, President Biden becomes one of very few American Presidents to voluntarily cede power in pursuit of the greater good. President Biden ran on the campaign slogan to ‘finish the job,’ and now we honor his sacrifice and secure his legacy and our future greatness by electing whoever emerges as the Democratic nominee for President.”

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

For Burgum, North Dakota is no longer a ‘top priority’

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 17, 2024

Following Governor Doug Burgum’s speech at the Republican National Convention,

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party Chair Adam Goldwyn issued the following statement:

“Judging by his speech tonight, it isn’t surprising that Donald Trump snubbed Doug Burgum as his Vice Presidential pick. Perhaps some Republican convention attendees may be fooled by Burgum, but North Dakotans know exactly who he is – a billionaire cosplaying as a cowboy with an un-dirtied Carhartt who sold out women and the LGBTQ community to bend the knee to the far right. Burgum signed one of the strictest anti-abortion laws in the country and that is wreaking havoc on North Dakotan women. After supporting bills to promote equality in North Dakota, he threw LGBTQ folks under the bus when he signed laws that discriminate against them. Will Burgum finally return to North Dakota now, or will he continue to neglect his gubernatorial duties? Either way his time in the national spotlight is over and he is no longer a ‘top priority.’

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

Dem-NPL House Minority Leader on the Supreme Court Decision in Trump v. United States


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 1, 2024

GRAND FORKS – Today all six of the Republican appointed Supreme Court justices ruled that a President of the United States has absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for all official acts taken while in office. The three justices appointed by Democrats dissented.

In her dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that this decision “makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of Government, that no man is above the law.”

Democratic-NPL House Minority Leader Zac Ista (D-Grand Forks) said, “In a few days, we will be celebrating our declaration of independence from a monarchy. In the nearly 250 years since then, countless brave Americans have fought and died to protect the constitutional republic our Founding Fathers envisioned—one that gave us a president, not a dictator or a king.

But today’s Supreme Court decision paves the way for any president to don the crown of a monarch once again. The notion that anyone—let alone the President—is above the law should shock the conscience of all patriotic Americans. So where this Supreme Court has failed, we as citizens must act to uphold our fundamental values at the ballot box. As Justice Sotomayor eloquently wrote in dissent, nothing short of our very democracy is at stake.”

Donald Trump already attacked our democracy and freedom:

-Donald Trump has pledged to be a dictator on “day one.” Trump admires violent dictators, saying that ‘the tougher and meaner they are, the better I get along with them.’
-After inspiring a violent mob that stormed the Capitol on January 6, Trump has pledged to pardon the rioters who wanted to end American democracy.
-Donald Trump’s Project 2025 is also crafting plans that would allow him to deploy the military against American citizens under the Insurrection Act.
-Trump has floated the idea of running for a third term.
-Trump is warning of a “bloodbath” if he loses in November.

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