Burgum’s Blinders: Governor Doubles Down on Extreme Cuts Despite Increased Revenue

Refusing to budge despite the new facts, Governor Burgum continues his commitment to cutting funding for education, essential government services, and much-needed infrastructure projects

(BISMARCK, ND) — Governor Doug Burgum is so committed to his draconian budget cuts that he won’t let the facts get in the way of scoring partisan points. Despite reports of increased revenue from an uptick in gas prices, Burgum has doubled down saying he will stick with his plan to cut funding for state agencies 5 to 10 percent across the board.

“Governor Burgum should know that flexibility is key to governing, but that doesn’t seem to be a lesson he has learned in Bismarck,” said Scott McNeil, Executive Director of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL. “These cuts are drastic and will hurt agencies already underfunded and overextended. Restoring fiscal responsibility in Bismarck is a goal shared by both parties, but the budget should not be balanced the backs of working families who rely on government services or students who are looking for a good education. North Dakotans deserve legislators who will stand up against these irresponsible cuts and produce a budget that puts North Dakotans first.”

NEW DIGITAL AD: Cramer Abdicates Responsibility, Ignores Concerns of ND Farmers, Businesses Hurt By Trade War

Cramer Has Rubber Stamped the Trade War, Putting Political Ambitions Ahead of North Dakotans

Congressman Cramer has heard the concerns of North Dakotans over the president’s trade war, but he’s chosen not to do anything about it.

To call attention to Cramer’s abdication of responsibility, today the North Dakota Democratic-NPL is launching a new video, backed by a Facebook buy, that calls on Cramer to finally put North Dakotans first and work to stop the trade war, rather than kowtowing to the president to win political favor.

WATCH:

 

See some of the public outcry over Cramer’s inaction on the trade war:

NDxPlains: For Cramer it is Loyalty to Trump above what is best for North Dakota.
Cramer displays his eagerness to be obedient and subservient to President Donald Trump. It is loyalty to Trump over North Dakota. There has been and will continue to be times where President Trump is wrong about what is best for our state. In those moments, North Dakota deserves an independent thinker.”

Prairie Public News: Cramer: Cool the ‘hysteria’ over Chinese tariffs.

Bismarck Tribune: LTE: Farmers in state need some loyalty.
“Farmers and ranchers face enough uncertainty with the weather — we don’t need any more caused by politicians in Washington. That’s why along with so many farmers across North Dakota and the nation, I’ve been deeply concerned by the president’s proposed tariffs. […] I was disappointed that Rep. Kevin Cramer has refused to stand up to the president on this issue. I understand that they’re both from the same party — but that shouldn’t stop Cramer from doing what’s right and standing up for North Dakota.”

Fargo Forum: Letter: Cramer’s blind allegiance to Trump’s tariffs bad for ND farmers.
“Congressman Kevin Cramer certainly pledges his allegiance to the Trump administration every time I listen to his interviews. Cramer is wrong to embrace the Trump tariffs as they are going to have a serious negative impact on middle America and looking at the economic numbers, we cannot afford a set back. […] Congressman Cramer’s blind allegiance to Trump is letting our farmers and ranchers down.”

4-Traders: Major Cramer Supporter: “Any Tariffs Are a Bad Idea.”
“As Kevin Cramer prepares to testify in the U.S. House of Representatives today on Chinese tariffs that could have a devastating impact on North Dakota’s ag economy and energy industry – it’s worth reminding: Not even one of Cramer’s biggest donors thinks these tariffs are a good idea – in fact, he flatly told CNN: ‘I think any tariffs are a bad idea.’

But since the day Cramer drew a line in the sand – saying voting against President Trump is akin to marital infidelity, and deleting a tweet in opposition to the tariffs he knows are a bad idea for North Dakota farmers and energy producers – he’s been towing the D.C. swamp’s party line ever since. Rather than stand up policies that would grow North Dakota’s economy, he’s chosen to put his own career first to the detriment of working families.”

Read more about how the Cramer-endorsed trade war is threatening the livelihoods of North Dakota farmers and ranchers here and watch here. And see how Cramer flipped positions on the trade war to gain political favor with the president here.

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Dem-NPL CARES Program Launches Statewide Food Drive for Watford City Tornado Victims

Concerned community members can drop off canned goods at Democratic-NPL Field Offices in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and Jamestown

(BISMARCK, ND) — Following the devastating tornado that touched down in Watford City, resulting in loss of life and property, the Democratic-NPL is launching a food drive at its field offices to assist families recuperating from the disaster. Through the Dem-NPL ongoing Community, Agriculture, Resources, Education, and Safety (CARES) initiative, the party is encouraging volunteers and community members to donate non-perishable food items that will be distributed by the Great Plains Food Bank to the Watford City Food Bank.

“It’s times like these North Dakotans put their partisan differences aside and come together as a community,” said Warren Larson, Chair of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL. “When disaster strikes, like the tornado in Watford City, families rely on their neighbors to help them rebuild and move on. The Democratic-NPL is proud to do what we can to help, and we continue to have faith in the generosity of North Dakotans.”

All Democratic-NPL Field offices are open from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm.

Bismarck

Field Office:

215 N 3rd St

Bismarck, ND 58501

Dem NPL State Office:

1902 E Divide Ave

Bismarck, ND 58501

 

Fargo

23 Broadway N

Fargo, ND 58102

 

Grand Forks

1726 S Washington St

Grand Forks, ND 58201

 

Jamestown

311 1st Ave S

Jamestown, ND 58401

 

Minot

212 South Broadway

Minot, ND 58701

VIDEO: Kevin Cramer Doesn’t Know Anything About The Farm Bill

(BISMARCK, ND) – Yesterday Congressman Kevin Cramer was named to the Farm Bill Conference Committee – which doesn’t make a lot of sense, since he doesn’t know anything about the Farm Bill. WATCH this clip to see Cramer reveal he didn’t even know that this critical bill, which provides support for North Dakota’s agriculture community, passed out of committee.

Question: Quickly too with the farm bill, speaking of farmers, it just passed out of committee.

Cramer: Oh did it, I’ve been wondering.

Don’t forget, Congressman Cramer is still backing the trade war and has dismissed farmers’ concerns about their livelihood as “hysteria,” even though we’ve seen prices for crops like soybeans plummet by 20 percent.  

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Cramer’s Bad Behavior on Farm Bill Issues Rewarded By Washington Party Bosses

(BISMARCK, ND) – Congressman Cramer, who has never sat on the House Agriculture Committee, has a history of playing politics with the typically non-political Farm Bill. In 2013, Cramer tried to sink the Farm Bill, earning him the label of ideologue who “rejects compromises and insists on policies that are ideologically pure” by the Grand Forks Herald, and prompting the Williston Herald to call on him “to take a lesson” from Senators Heitkamp and Hoeven on working across the aisle to get results.

Cramer has been oblivious to the ins and outs of the Farm Bill and its importance to North Dakota’s farmers. He didn’t even know when the Farm Bill passed out of committee earlier this year.

Now he’s being rewarded for his party-above-all-else loyalty with a seat on the Farm Bill Conference Committee. In response to Cramer’s bad behavior and his harmful ideology, Scott McNeil, Executive Director of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL released the following statement:

“This is Washington politics at its worst: rewarding a position to someone who has never had any interest in advocating for agricultural issues on behalf of North Dakotans. But North Dakota’s farmers know Cramer’s history on this issue and they won’t be fooled by the machinations of Washington Republicans.”

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Anatomy of a Flip Flop

Cramer Touts The President’s Positions To Gain Political Favor, Regardless Of Their Impact On North Dakota

Congressman Cramer may not be a master of many things, but he has perfected the art of the flip flop. Cramer has flipped and flopped positions on the trade war – from giving wishy washy answers about the president’s tariffs, to briefly taking a stand against them, to making a complete turnaround and becoming a rubber stamp for the trade war.

From Courtney Rice, Press Secretary for the North Dakota Democratic-NPL: “At best, Congressman Cramer is ambivalent to the needs and concerns of North Dakota’s farmers, ranchers, and businesses who are hurting under the trade war. At worst, he is turning a blind eye in order to be a rubber stamp to the president to curry political favor. And North Dakotans? They’re left to deal with the detrimental results of Cramer’s do-it-all-for-politics strategy.”

See for yourself:

CRAMER’S WISHY-WASHY POSITION.
March 2: Cramer doesn’t denounce the president’s decision to impose a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports, even though it is known that a trade war would harm North Dakota’s farmers, ranchers, and businesses.

CRAMER (VERY) BRIEFLY TAKES A STAND AGAINST THE TRADE WAR.
March 7: Cramer joins other House colleagues in asking the president to reconsider his plan for “broad” tariffs and work with Congress to draft “a more targeted approach.”

March 10: Cramer claims he isn’t “over the moon” about the trade war and would like to see them “more narrowly defined.”

CRAMER’S FLIP FLOP. 
April 4: China announces retaliatory tariffs on $50 billion worth of U.S. goods, including soybeans. Reminder: North Dakota is a major exporter of soybeans. 

April 4: Cramer posts on Twitter citing his opposition to the trade war, claiming they have “the potential to harm North Dakota’s agricultural sector.”

THAT SAME DAY, APRIL 4: CRAMER DELETES THE PREVIOUS POST AND REPLACES IT with a statement claiming the president is “right to stand up to China” with regard to the trade war.

CRAMER BECOMES RUBBER STAMP FOR PRESIDENT’S TRADE WAR. 
Since then, Cramer has refused to forcefully speak out against the trade war, claiming he doesn’t know whether tariffs will have any real impact and stating that such concerns are “hysteria.”

April 5: Cramer applauds the president’s goals on trade.

April 9: Cramer says concerns over the trade war are “hysteria.”

April 20: Cramer’s campaign says he will “support” the president’s position on the trade war in the Senate.

May 17: Amid soybean tariffs, Cramer says it’s not “all doom and gloom” for North Dakota producers.

June 7: Cramer says farmers need to have a higher “pain threshold” in the trade war.

July 16: Cramer encourages other DC politicians to “rally behind the administration[‘s]” trade war.

Read more about how the Cramer-endorsed trade war is threatening the livelihoods of North Dakota farmers and ranchers here and watch here. 

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What They’re Saying, Pt. 2: Trade War “Creating More Problems” for Farmers

WDAY: “Concerns are High… That They Could Lose Millions of Dollars in Profits”
(BISMARCK, ND) – As concerns from North Dakota farmers and ranchers continue to rise over the Cramer-endorsed trade war, Congressman Cramer doesn’t seem to be listening. Instead, while North Dakotans experience uncertainty, potential losses of millions of dollars in profits, and canceled shipments, Cramer’s sole interest is rubber-stamping the president’s harmful policies. See what North Dakotans are watching about the disastrous impact of this trade war on the ground.

WATCH:

Transcript:

KVRR: China and Mexico issuing new tariffs on American goods just last week, creating more problems for farmers who rely on the international markets to sell their crops.” 

KVLY: “Soybeans are down almost $2 a bushel for about 40 days. [Reporter] Just from when the president made this announcement? [Farmer] Just from when they started having the tit-for-tat for trade.”

WDAY: “Now, an estimated 1.14 million tons of soybeans that are expected to export by the end of August could be canceled.” 

WDAY: “And due to Chinese tariffs, concerns are high from farmers in North Dakota that they could lose millions of dollars in profits.” 

WDAY: “Farmers across the country say they hope this dispute is temporary. ‘Given profit margins we have, that’s enough to take a majority chunk out of our profits.’” 

WDAY: “Earlier today the price per bushel sat at $8.55. The U.S. trade war with China is to blame.” 

KVRR: “The American Soybean Association estimates that more than $6 billion has been lost over the last month as a direct result of the trade feud.”  

And see what North Dakotans are reading about the Cramer-endorsed trade war here.

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Cramer Again Prioritizes Defense of the President Ahead of National Security

(BISMARCK, ND) – Highlighting Congressman Cramer’s inability to prioritize  leadership above bizarre partisan defenses of the president, Scott McNeil, Executive Director of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL reacted to Congressman Cramer’s mealy-mouthed statement on yesterday’s Helsinki Summit: 

“Whether it’s quibbling over the semantics of cages instead of offering stronger border security solutions, defending insensitive Nazi comparisons instead of holding Syria accountable, or rushing to absolve President Trump instead of offering tough, smart national security strategies, time and again Congressman Cramer runs from any opportunity to lead in favor of petty partisan politics. North Dakotans deserve serious leadership that puts the safety and security of our communities first, not playing second fiddle to his own political agenda.”

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Fears of Trade War “Animating” Senate Race

From Courtney Rice, Press Secretary for the North Dakota Democratic-NPL: “Despite hearing concerns across North Dakota about the detrimental effects this trade war is having, Cramer has turned a blind eye – choosing to recklessly side with the president and endorse this trade war rather than working across the aisle to come up with solutions.”

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT 

Grand Forks Herald: Some farmers fret amid trade war, animating ND’s Senate race
By John Hageman
July 13, 2018

Key Points:

  • A flurry of trade news in recent months has Richards [a farmer near Hope, ND] worried. It reached a crescendo last week, when China imposed retaliatory tariffs on a range of U.S. products, including 25 percent on soybeans, one of the crops Richards grows.
  • The cost of equipment is going up because of previous tariffs President Donald Trump’s administration imposed on steel and aluminum imports, he said. And amid those fights, the Trump administration is renegotiating the 24-year-old trade agreement linking the U.S. with Canada and Mexico.
  • “I’ve been doing this for 46 years,” said Richards, the Steele County president for the North Dakota Farmers Union. “Right now, I am the most scared I’ve ever been as to where the future of farming is going.”
  • Heitkamp this week described the trade war as “misguided” and called for rallying U.S. partners to confront China rather than using a “blunt instrument” like tariffs. Cramer, a Trump ally who previously denounced Democratic “hysteria” over Chinese tariffs, said he’s “on board with what (Trump) is trying to do” but expressed distaste for tariffs.
  • “Cramer boasts about (how) he votes with the president all the time. I don’t think that’s good for North Dakota,” said Richards.
  • Robert Kudrle, a professor in the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, said “…the ag sector is really paying for this big time.”
  • Soybeans have become the poster child for the trade war with China, given that the Asian nation is the biggest market for the U.S. North Dakota Trade Office Executive Director Simon Wilson estimated the state exports $1.4 billion to $1.8 billion worth of soybeans to China annually.
  • But a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released this week lowered soybean export projections for 2018-19. Monte Peterson, a Valley City area farmer who’s a leader in state and national soybean groups, pointed to soybean futures that have dropped steadily in recent weeks. “This price that we’re at today … we’re below any potential for profit,” he said. “We’re looking at losses.”
  • Heitkamp has signed on to legislation to nullify the steel and aluminum tariffs and to require congressional approval for tariffs imposed in the name of national security. She hoped a non-binding Senate vote this week would send a message to Trump’s administration that “patience is running thin.”

Read the full article here.

And see how the Cramer-endorsed trade war is playing in local media:

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ICYMI: Cramer Reportedly Declined to Participate in at Least Four Debates Against Heitkamp [NDxPlains]

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT 

NDxPlains: Cramer Reportedly Declined to Participate in at Least Four Debates Against Heitkamp
By Tyler Axness
July 13, 2018

Key Points:

  • Earlier this week, we learned that Heidi Heitkamp and Kevin Cramer have agreed to three debates in October. What has been left out of those reports is that Kevin Cramer has rejected participation in at least four other debates. For an individual who prides himself on accessibility and willingness to take on tough topics, this is a little surprising. We should ask why he declined.
  • A spokesperson for the Heitkamp campaign indicated Heitkamp had agreed to five more debates, but Cramer had rejected four of those… To my knowledge, Heitkamp has not turned down a debate to date.
  • The debates Cramer has turned down are a bit interesting. A Prairie Public & AARP debate. Cramer agreed to one of the two offered. Perhaps limiting the debate to one hour instead of two also limits the amount of time Social Security and Medicare would be discussed.
  • He also rejected a debate hosted by the Chamber of Commerce focused on agriculture. Defending tariffs might not have been ideal for his candidacy.
  • So what gives? Why avoid these debates with your opponent? It certainly wouldn’t be the same as going on friendly talk shows every week.
  • Another negative ad [launched on Friday] lacking accomplishments of Cramer’s tenure in Washington. Perhaps it is proving difficult to discover those accomplishments which leads him to shy away from true debates. Quite simply, it makes a person wonder if he is afraid of debating Heitkamp and speaking about his record?

Read the full article here.

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CROOKED CRAMER’S CHRONICLES – TRADE WAR IS “ECONOMIC SELF-MUTILATION” – A RUBBER STAMP FOR TRUMP’S POLICIES – CRAMER IN DAMAGE CONTROL

Welcome to Crooked Cramer’s Chronicles where, every Friday, we’ll break down the latest and greatest weekly hits about Cramer’s crooked, self-serving, extreme, and gaffe-prone behavior that puts himself and his partisan politics ahead of North Dakotans. Onto the inaugural edition…

TRADE WAR IS “ECONOMIC SELF-MUTILATION.” That’s what a fourth generation North Dakota farmer had to say about the president’s trade war and its escalating disastrous consequences for North Dakota’s farmers, ranchers, and businesses. With 111,100 jobs and over $60 million in exports threatened by the Cramer-endorsed trade war, North Dakotans have reason to worry – particularly when they hear Cramer call their concerns “hysteria” and urge them to have a higher “pain threshold.” North Dakotans won’t be quick to forget that Cramer left them high and dry, putting party loyalty over their best interests. That’s why the Washington Post observed that the trade war “threaten[s] to emerge as a critical issue” in this Senate race.

Some of the coverage the trade war has received in North Dakota:

A RUBBER STAMP FOR TRUMP’S POLICIES. It’s tough to pin down Cramer’s rationale for endorsing the president’s trade war and other policies that go against the best interests of North Dakotans, but Cramer has consistently been a puppet for party politics over North Dakotans, voting with the president 100 percent of the time even when it’s not in their best interest. Recently he’s been trying to have it both ways, attempting to convince North Dakotans otherwise, but his record tells a different story.

Follow the link for a not-so-comprehensive list of the times Cramer was a rubber stamp for Trump and national Republicans’ policies.

WASHINGTON GOP HEALTH CARE SABOTAGE CONTINUES. This week saw two new examples of Cramer’s allies attempting to sabotage affordable and accessible health care for hardworking North Dakota families.

  1. Halting billions of dollars in payments to the health insurance system’s risk adjustment program – a move that some health experts warn would create “turmoil” and could cause insurers to request double-digit premium hikes.
  2. Using taxpayer money to push shoddy, short-term insurance plans that charge more to cover pre-existing conditions, “cover fewer services,” and make it harder to find affordable care.

Similar to the trade war, this issue is sure to be top of mind for voters in November. A recent HuffPost/YouGov poll found “American voters are more likely to say they’re focused about health care than any other issue” and Kaiser Health reported that many Americans are worried “about their out-of-pocket costs increasing so high that” they won’t be able to afford care.

THAT’S NOT ALL: CRAMER CALLS FOR CUTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE. Despite the false claims in a recent ad, Cramer has taken a cue from his Washington party bosses and has repeatedly called for cuts to Social Security and Medicare. Cramer is desperately trying to rewrite history, but we’re here to hold him accountable. This week the North Dakota Democratic-NPL launched a Facebook video highlighting the numerous times Cramer has called for cuts to these vital programs. WATCH here.

CRAMER MISUSES CAMPAIGN FUNDS… AGAIN. Attorney General candidate David Thompson filed an FEC complaint against Cramer for using campaign funds for his own personal use. Reminder: This isn’t the first or second time Cramer has been accused of misusing campaign funds for personal gain or raised “legitimate questions as to the appearance of impropriety” with his actions.

HEADLINE: TRUMP LIKES HEIDI MORE THAN KEVIN. Will Kevin Cramer call the White House and complain about this, too? Only time will tell… but we’re betting yes. From the article:

  • [This is a] well-worn Trump strategy: He needs Cramer as a political rubber stamp. Trump was in Fargo to plug for the boot-licker/butt-kisser that Cramer has pledged to be. “With him (Trump) 100 percent of the time,” Cramer said. The prez was not in Fargo because he and Cramer are pals. In fact, there are indications Trump likes Heidi more than Kevin. Kevin has cared about it. A lot.

  • I’m guessing Donald likes Heidi because of her independence and feistiness. Both are big personalities. Both speak passionately about their beliefs. She can look him in the eye and unflinchingly challenge him. If not her politics, he likes her confidence and candor.

  • By his own conceit, Cramer is a malleable sycophant who will do Trump’s bidding without question. (“With him 100 percent of the time.”)

  • Heitkamp is anything but malleable. She’s said repeatedly that she will be with Trump when she agrees with him and against him when she disagrees. That’s classic North Dakota-centric political philosophy. On the other hand, Cramer’s posture is 100 percent Trump-centric. Almost cultish. Therefore, Trump need not respect Cramer. The congressman is in the president’s thrall, apparently no matter what.

CRAMER MUST RETURN CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ROY MOORE PAC. A PAC that supports accused child molester and former Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore donated to Congressman Cramer’s campaign – but Cramer has yet to return the money, despite another Republican candidate who also received contributions from the PAC doing so. Cramer’s inaction once again puts him standing with the likes of Roy Moore, such as when he defended Moore, saying he should be held to a “different standard” because the allegations against him allegedly occurred “40 years past.”

FLASHBACK: This isn’t the first time Cramer has associated himself with hateful groups. Cramer “sought and received the support of an anti-LGBT group that links homosexuality to pedophilia and defends conversion therapy” and defended Will Gardner, a convicted Peeping Tom, calling him “a very good man” who has a bright political future ahead of him.

CRAMER TELLS TRUMP HIS “ONLY PREFERENCE” IS TO “AVOID ‘AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PICK’” FOR SUPREME COURT. This week, CNN reported that Cramer – when he had the president’s ear to advise him on a Supreme Court Justice pick that would advocate for North Dakota values – instead urged Trump to avoid an “affirmative action pick.” It’s yet another example of Cramer prioritizing ideological politics above what’s best for North Dakotans.

CRAMER IN DAMAGE CONTROL MODE. Less than 24 hours after the Mayor of Grand Forks – a Trump supporter – endorsed Heidi for her ability to work across the aisle and get results for the people of North Dakota and after growing negative press on the trade war, Cramer was forced to call in Washington, D.C. political party bosses to help stop the bleeding from his campaign. TBD on whether Cramer will use his time with Pence to advocate on behalf of North Dakotans… or himself.

TWEET OF THE WEEK.

Until next week!

Democratic-NPL Candidate Brandon Medenwald Endorsed by Run for Something

The District 41 candidate for the North Dakota House of Representatives earns the endorsement of the nationally recognized progressive group

(FARGO, ND) — Democratic-NPL candidate for the North Dakota House of Representatives Brandon Medenwald has earned the endorsement of Run for Something, a national progressive group that encourages the next generation of leaders to enter the political sphere at the state and local level. Medenwald is the first candidate from North Dakota to earn the group’s the nomination.

“I’m proud today to be the first North Dakotan endorsed by Run for Something, a national organization promoting young candidates willing to work hard to run grassroots campaigns,” said Brandon Medenwald. “Run for Something’s endorsement adds to our great momentum heading into the Summer months.”

“RFS endorses candidates on two major criteria: heart and hustle. That’s what defines viability to us,” said Ross Morales Rocketto, RFS co founder. “These are candidates who are going to work hard to run grassroots, community-led campaigns. We are at a critical time in history and the momentum these candidates generate will have a lasting impact for years to come.”

“Brandon’s small business experience and his background in the tech industry make him an ideal candidate to represent a changing North Dakota,” said Scott McNeil, Executive Director of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL. “The party is pleased to see one of its candidates receive national recognition for the hard work he has already put into the District 41 race, and we are confident in a positive outcome for Brandon in November.”

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