Davis, Finley-DeVille push NDHSAA to address instances of racial taunting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 18, 2024

ROLETTE, ND – Today, Representative Jayme Davis (D-Rolette), wrote to Matthew Fetsch, the Executive Director of the North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA), calling on the organization to step up enforcement of their zero-tolerance policy for racial taunting.

Davis wrote, “The Bismarck Tribune article published today, March 18, 2024, sheds light on a distressing pattern of behavior that not only tarnishes the integrity of high school athletics but also deeply impacts the well-being and dignity of student-athletes, their families, and communities. It is disheartening to learn once again, about instances of racial taunting, discriminatory conduct, and the failure to uphold respectful behavior in the stands at these sporting events.”

Davis specifically called for the NDSHAA to:

1. Conduct a thorough review of its current policies and procedures concerning fan behavior, racial taunting, and disciplinary actions, with a focus on strengthening enforcement mechanisms and promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity.

2. Enhance educational initiatives aimed at promoting cultural understanding among students, coaches, officials, and spectators.

3. Foster meaningful partnerships with communities, schools, and organizations to address systemic issues of racism and discrimination within the realm of high school athletics.

4. Provide clear channels for reporting incidents of racial taunting and discriminatory behavior, ensuring that victims and their families feel supported and empowered to speak out against these offenses.

Last week, Representative Lisa Finley-DeVille (D-Mandaree) wrote a letter to newspapers in North Dakota describing an incident from Feb. 9 when students from Wilton called players for the Mandaree Warriors basketball team derogatory names and racial slurs.

Finley-DeVille said, “In response to the racism, I am calling on the North Dakota High School Athletic Association to act against racism, bias, and bullying in sports. It is not enough to create rules that are not enforced. As a parent and grandparent and District 4A representative, I unequivocally condemn these behaviors. It is antithetical to the values of respect, inclusion, and fairness that we are taught to uphold. There is no place for racism in North Dakota.”

Former Dem-NPL Lawmakers pay tribute to late State Senator and UND associate dean Judy DeMers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 18, 2024

GRAND FORKS, ND — Former Democratic-NPL lawmaker associate dean for student affairs and admissions at the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences Judy DeMers passed away last week. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, Representative Earl Pomeroy, Agriculture Commissioner Sarah Vogel, and Representative Lois Delmore expressed their grief and celebrated their memories of DeMers.

Senator Heidi Heitkamp remarked, “Judy was a force. When she sunk her teeth into an issue, there was no stopping her, particularly when it meant protecting her beloved profession, nursing. For decades, she was the voice for so many people who did not have a voice. She was a legislator that the Democratic-NPL will always be proud to say ‘she was one of us.’”

Congressman Earl Pomeroy said, “Judy DeMers was a leader in improving North Dakota health care for more than 40 years. I worked with her as a fellow legislator and later as an Insurance Commissioner and Congressman. I found her knowledge and counsel to be incredibly helpful as she applied her medical background to creating sound health policy. Judy was selfless, funny and hugely talented. Her impact will long be felt in North Dakota health care. We are all better for her life’s work.”

North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Sarah Vogel noted, “When Judy was in the legislature, she stayed at my house for several sessions. I saw her work ethic first hand. The minute the day’s session was done, Judy hauled suitcases of reading materials relevant to the next day’s session and committee meetings to her room, and she stayed up until she had mastered the issues. Then she wrote her testimony – for or against – in short, clear, statements. Then she went to sleep for a few hours, to repeat the next day. On the weekends, she went back to Grand Forks to meet with her constituents. Not only the citizens of Grand Forks, but all citizens of North Dakota were well represented by Judy. She was brilliant and she was the hardest working legislator I have ever known.”

Former Representative Lois Delmore remarked, “Senator Judy DeMers was a strong public servant in the legislature. She was an advocate for women and an inspiration for students at the University of North Dakota Medical School. She was a strong voice for Grand Forks and for the state of North Dakota. I was proud to serve with her and to call her my friend.”

DeMers served in the North Dakota House from 1983 to 1991 and the State Senate from 1993 to 2000. For 27 years, she was the associate dean for student affairs and admissions at the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences. After retirement in 2010, she moved to Arizona to be closer to her son Bob, daughter-in-law Dawn, and grandson Tyler. DeMers was a marvelous mentor to her grandson, who found his passion in law and will soon graduate from the University of Arizona Law School.

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

Join us for the State and National Democratic Conventions!

With most of our Democratic-NPL District Conventions in our rearview mirror, it’s time to start thinking about both our Democratic-NPL State Convention and the Democratic National Convention! Don’t miss out on these important opportunities to participate in democracy!

Current and Former ND Democratic-NPL Chairs speak about Grace Link’s legacy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 12, 2024

BISMARCK, ND – Former First Lady Grace Link has passed away at 105.

“North Dakota lost an icon today,” remarked Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn, “Grace has been an inspiration to generations of Democratic-NPLers, especially women who were moved to get more involved because of her passion, and to whom Grace gave sage advice. She represented the best of our Dem-NPL to which she was so committed: integrity, respect, belief in democracy, and citizen activism.”

Bob and Marge Valeu, close friends of Grace and former Governor Link for over 50 years, commented, “Grace was a role model on what it takes to be a good and kind person. Grace embodied the spirit of North Dakota. An awesome lady, dedicated to community service. A North Dakota treasure who will be missed dearly.”

For many years, the Democratic-NPL has given the Art and Grace Link Lifetime Achievement Award, named for the political power couple, to North Dakotans who embody the same sense of service to their state and country. In November 2023, Link was named the Honorary Chair of Dem-NPL Century Club, a fundraising unit that supports the Democratic-NPL year-round work to build party infrastructure supporting candidate recruitment, local district and regional leadership, issue-based education, and tools for Dem-NPL success.

Link was also a phenomenal pie maker and keen fundraiser, her coveted lemon meringue pies would go for hundreds of dollars at local Democratic-NPL events.

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

ND Democratic-NPL Chair calls for immediate release of Stenehjem’s recovered emails

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 7, 2024

FARGO, ND – Today, North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn called for the immediate release of the late Wayne Stenejhem’s official emails.

Goldwyn remarked, “It was pretty difficult for most of us to stomach the decision that Mountrail County state’s attorney Wade Enget made not to pursue criminal charges after Troy Seibel and Liz Brocker ordered Wayne Stenehjem’s emails be deleted less than 24 hours after his death.

Now we’re learning that the statute of limitations has passed for Seibel and Brocker, and that Julie Lawyer, the Buliegh County States’ attorney (and new employer of Brocker) had limited the scope of Enget’s investigation.

Today’s revelation shows that we cannot let up on the pressure for thorough investigations into this matter. We need to see these emails immediately, they belong to the people of North Dakota. The Bismarck good ol’ boys club can’t keep us in the dark.”

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

Vote in the North Dakota Democratic Presidential Primary!

Have you requested your ballot for the North Dakota Democratic Presidential Primary? There’s still time to do so!

It was thrilling to watch primary results come in Tuesday night. And while many across the nation were focused on Super Tuesday, we couldn’t help but notice Monday’s NDGOP Presidential Caucus.

Despite their appearance of dominance in North Dakota politics, the NDGOP had fewer than 2,000 caucus-goers. This drew headlines like “The NDGOP held a presidential caucus and almost nobody showed up”

We think North Dakota Democratic-NPLers can do better! Request your ballot today to show that you are a reliable, excited voter in 2024!

Candidates who will appear on the ballot are:

Joseph R Biden Jr
Eban Cambridge
Stephen P Lyons
Jason Palmer
Armando “Mando” Perez-Serrato
Dean Phillips
Cenk Uygur
Marianne Williamson

North Dakota is one of just five states where the political parties run the presidential primary process. The North Dakota Democratic-NPL is working with the Merriman River Group to facilitate the primary.

Ballots MUST be received by March 30th to be counted. To ensure your ballot is received and counted, request your ballot by March 15th.

You can mail the ballot back to us:

ND Democratic NPL
PO Box 9946
Fargo, ND 58106

DISTRICT 24 DEMOCRATIC-NPL PARTY ENDORSES LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES

VALLEY CITY, ND – The District 24 Democratic-NPL party endorsed a full slate of legislative candidates at their convention in Valley City Feb. 18. Nancy Farnham and Shawn Olauson were chosen as candidates for the N.Dak. House of Representatives. Knut “Pete” Gjovik was selected as candidate for the N.Dak. Senate.

District 24 includes Barnes and Ransom Counties.

Farnham and her husband Tom have lived in Enderlin for the past 32 years. In 2019 she retired after 27 years serving as administrator of Maryhill Manor in Enderlin.

“I am running for the House of Representatives because I care about North Dakota and its people. I believe that I can bring respect and compassion for all people, common sense, and a strong work ethic to this office,” she said. “Service to others is what my life has been about and I am ready to serve in our state legislature.”

Olauson is a Barnes County native, living with his wife Christy on his family’s home farm in Cuba Township. He has worked for a neighboring farmer for the past 25 years. Since 2019 he has served as a Barnes County commissioner. Olauson has also served on school, water, and township boards.

“The biggest issue for me is reforming property taxes, not getting rid of them,” he said. “Property taxes are how we retain local control of our townships, towns and cities, counties, and school, park, and fire districts.”

A native of Pekin, N.Dak., Gjovik joined the faculty of Valley City State University in 2008. He retired as an emeritus professor in technology in 2020. Prior to coming to Valley City, he had an extensive career in secondary and higher education, and with his wife Gail in the print and graphic design industry.

Gjovik believes his experience in building positive working relationships and finding solutions to problems would benefit District 24. “There is more that unites us than divides us politically,” he said. “I would like to put my experience to work for our district and state.”

All three candidates were endorsed for the June primary by unanimous ballot. District chair Bradley Edin said, “I can’t imagine a better ticket. We Democrats are looking forward to the 2024 campaign and the opportunity to elect people to the legislature who will actually represent and serve all the people of Barnes and Ransom Counties.”

North Dakota Democratic-NPL reacts to Armstrong’s run for Governor

FARGO, ND – Not even an hour after Governor Burgum ended his final State of the State address, Kelly Armstrong announced that he will run for governor.

The North Dakota Democratic-NPL released this statement:

When Kelly Armstrong was elected, many hoped he’d bring North Dakota values to DC. Instead, Kelly got swallowed up by DC and became the ultimate insider. Under Armstrong, House Republicans have become extreme and completely ineffective. We can’t let him bring his DC values back home to North Dakota now.

During the chaotic Speaker of the House fight last year, Armstrong first voted for Steve Scalise who once said he voted for “David Duke without the baggage.” He then supported Jim Jordan who led efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, pushed for a costly government shutdown, and has repeatedly voted to slash Social Security and Medicare. In the end, he helped elect Mike Johnson who worked behind the scenes to overturn the 2020 election, has advocated for locking up LGBTQ+ Americans, wants to criminalize abortions so that women give birth to ‘able-bodied workers into the economy,’ and has fought to decimate Social Security and Medicare and has claimed to have a mandate from God to be House Speaker.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 23, 2024

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

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Legislative Leaders Respond to Burgum’s State of the State

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 23, 2024

DICKINSON, ND — Today, Governor Burgum gave the State of the State address. This comes after dropping out of the race for U.S. President and announcing that he would not be running in the 2024 ND gubernatorial race.

Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan said, “North Dakotans are demanding more than just another income tax cut. They want real solutions to the workforce crisis, the childcare crisis, the housing crisis, and the mental health crisis—all of which have gone unsolved on Republicans’ watch. Democrats have been beating the drum for more investments in each of these areas for years. But the outgoing administration’s focus on the things that will really improve the lives of everyday North Dakotans was too little and too late. North Dakotans also want to see our state supporting public employees, public education, and fully-funded school lunches, and I don’t think we saw that in this speech.”

House Minority Leader Zac Ista remarked, “The Governor should have used his final State of the State Address to bring North Dakota together. Instead, he recycled the same stale talking points that didn’t work for him on the presidential campaign trail. The truth is this: the Biden Administration has invested billions of federal dollars into North Dakota’s infrastructure, housing, and broadband internet. Inflation is down. Unemployment is down. Gas prices are down. Consumer confidence, wages, and the stock market are up. And under Joe Biden, America is producing more oil than any country in history. It’s time for the Governor to reboot his language to match reality.”

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

North Dakotans may now request mail-in ballots for the Democratic Presidential Primary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 17, 2024

FARGO, ND – The North Dakota Democratic-NPL has announced that voters may now request a ballot for the Democratic Presidential Primary. Ballots can be requested at MRGballot.com.

Ballots will start being mailed out on February 20 and must be received by Saturday, March 30, 2024, at noon. Ballots requested before February 7 will go out on February 20, and requests after February 7 will be fulfilled as they come in. The Democratic-NPL is encouraging voters to request their ballots as soon as possible, to ensure they are returned in time to be counted.

North Dakota is one of just five states where the political parties run the presidential primary process. The North Dakota Democratic-NPL is working with the Merriman River Group to facilitate the primary.

Any qualified North Dakota voter or any person who will have met all the qualifications of a voter at the next general election, and who has completed a form declaring they wish to participate as a Democrat is qualified to vote in the Party-Run Primary.

The Democratic-NPL is working with Tribal Leadership to have in-person voting locations available on North Dakota’s reservations with dates and times to be determined.

Candidates who will appear on the ballot are:

Joseph R Biden Jr

Eban Cambridge

Stephen P Lyons

Jason Palmer

Armando “Mando” Perez-Serrato

Dean Phillips

Cenk Uygur

Marianne Williamson

North Dakota will send 19 delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. This vote will determine the proportion of delegates pledged to each presidential candidate. Delegates to the National Convention will be elected at the North Dakota Democratic-NPL State Convention in Fargo on April 4-7.

Voters who have questions can contact the Dem-NPL at 701-255-0460 or [email protected].

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair comments on Burgum’s endorsement of Trump

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 14, 2024

FARGO, ND – Doug Burgum traveled to Iowa again—this time to endorse Donald Trump for president.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn remarked, “That Doug Burgum won’t do business with Trump tells you everything you need to know about Trump. That Doug Burgum still thinks Trump should be president tells you everything you need to know about Doug Burgum.”

In his bid for a second White House stint, Trump’s rhetoric has grown increasingly authoritarian, saying “Immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country” and that he will lock up his political enemies if he is president again. Trump has also wished for the economy to crash, been found liable for sexual abuse, and expressed interest in ripping healthcare away from millions of Americans. North Dakota Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven have also endorsed Trump.

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

North Democratic-NPL Chair Reacts to Class A misdemeanor charge against Rep. Dockter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 9, 2024

FARGO, ND – It was reported today that Rep. Jason Dockter (R-Bismarck) has been charged with a class A misdemeanor of speculating or wagering on official action or information because of an office space deal he has with the Attorney General’s office. This office space deal led to a cost overrun of over $1 million.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL chair Adam Goldwyn remarked, “North Dakotans have had to wait far too long for accountability. The waste, fraud, and abuse that has become rampant in Bismarck show us how entrenched cronyism is in our capital. The NDGOP has completely lost any moral standing it had with voters. Democrats will restore balance and hold office with integrity.”

This adds to a seemingly neverending series of scandalous behavior from NDGOP officials, including Rep. Rios hurling homophobic and racist slurs at law enforcement while intoxicated, hiring an executive director who posted demeaning comments about women and minorities, equivocating and joking about allegations against former Sen. Holmberg that he traveled to Prague to rape children, and standing up for the employee who had former Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem’s emails deleted—preventing them from becoming subject to an open records request.

CONTACT:

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