Former Dem-NPL Chair George Gaukler passes away

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 12, 2025

VALLEY CITY, ND – Valley City developer and former Chair of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL, George Gaukler, passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Gaukler served as Chair of the Dem-NPL from 1980-1994. A Celebration of Life will be held on April 10, 2025 at the Center for the Arts on the VCSU campus.

Former U.S. Representative Earl Pomeroy said, “George Gaukler was a builder. His impact will be felt in the cities of our region for generations. He was a driving force in Valley City’s Economic Development Commission since its founding to present day. He and his beloved wife Audrey generously sponsored programs and community facilities like Valley City’s Gaukler Center, enhancing the quality of life in our area. He was also the most effective State Chairman the Democratic Party has ever had—leading our state to Democratic domination for the period of time he was our leader. To me, he was like an older brother. I tried to follow his golden counsel and always wanted him to be proud of our efforts because he had worked so hard to get us elected in the first place. After retiring from politics, he worked hard on his many projects. He was making notes and giving instructions to his team right till the end. We will sorely miss our friend and leader George Gaukler.”

Larry Robinson, former State Senator District 24 and recently retired as the Executive Director of the Valley City State University Foundation, remarked, “North Dakota lost one of its most prominent businessmen in the passing of Valley City’s George Gaukler. George spent his entire life in real estate development building numerous single family homes and multi-family housing units. George was a visionary and had a passion for improving the quality of life for all. George and his late wife Audrey were pillars in our community, leading and supporting numerous community improvements. George had a big heart and helped many over the course of his life. He was driven and he was a born leader. His passing is a big loss for our community and the state of North Dakota. He will be missed!”

Senator Tim Mathern (D-Fargo) said, “George Gaukler lived a full and energetic life. He shared his business success by generous philanthropy. He shared his social justice values by mentoring and supporting political candidates. He shared his concerns by challenging organizations when they strayed from their teachings. We are blessed by his life, may George Gaukler rest in peace.”

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

Senator Mathern calls for Special Hearing on Federal Cuts impact on ND

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 5, 2025

BISMARCK, ND – This morning, Sen. Tim Mathern (D-11) asked that the Senate Appropriations Committee hold a Special Hearing to assemble information regarding anticipated federal cuts that will impact North Dakota agencies and citizens.

Mathern said of his request, “My concern is that citizens ask questions, that we are bombarded with news media snippets, and that we need to know the information to prepare a proper state budget. State agencies are closer to the federal changes than legislators are. We need to hear from them, so we can respond to our constituents.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
[email protected]

Dem-NPL reacts to Trump’s Joint Address to Congress

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 4, 2025

FARGO, ND – Donald Trump gave a Joint Address to Congress tonight.

Democratic-NPL Communications Director Laura Dronen said, “Over and over Trump subjected Americans to lies. Costs are skyrocketing. The economy is plummeting. Planes are falling out of the sky as they gut the FAA. We are less safe and worse off since Trump handed over the keys to our country to Elon Musk and his teeny-bobber minions. As they destroy Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security, where will our seniors turn? As they erode the Affordable Care Act, how will North Dakotans with preexisting conditions afford to see a doctor? As they obliterate consumer protections, who will safeguard us from real waste, fraud, and abuse? When everything that makes the United States of America the leader of the free world has been hacked and slashed to death, what will be left of us?”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
[email protected]

Dem-NPL Chair Statement ahead of Donald Trump’s Joint Address to Congress

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 4, 2025

FARGO, ND – After firing thousands of federal employees—including North Dakotans—with no regard to public safety, Donald Trump will deliver a joint address to Congress this evening.

Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn said, “Trump’s only priority right now is to rig the economy for the ultra-rich and giant corporations by ripping away our health care and raising costs on working families. Whether it’s the price of eggs to housing, Trump’s policies are already making life more unaffordable for North Dakotans, and this will only get worse. Medicaid, which covers 2 out of 3 people in nursing homes, is first on the chopping block, and Elon Musk just called Social Security a ‘Ponzi scheme’—they’re going to steal from you and your grandma to pay for tax cuts for out-of-state billionaires.”

The Democratic-NPL encourages North Dakotans to contact Sen. Hoeven, Sen. Cramer, and Rep. Fedorchak to tell them to commit to protecting Social Security, fighting cost-raising tariffs, and ending the purge of federal workers.

Senator John Hoeven – 701-250-4618
Senator Kevin Cramer – 701-204-0500
Rep. Julie Fedorchak – 701-354-6700

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
[email protected]

Record Turnout at Northern Valley Dem-NPL Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 1, 2024

GRAND FORKS, ND – Today the Northern Valley Democratic-NPL held Re-organization meetings for Legislative Districts 17, 18, 20, 42, and 43. The group had record turnout for these meetings—with over 140 in attendance—to elect leadership for the local Democratic-NPL districts. The group also collected nonperishables in response to likely Republican cuts to SNAP and EBT (food stamps).

Northern Valley Democratic–NPL Chair Sarah Grossbauer said, “Every person in this room is proof that our movement isn’t going anywhere. We’re organizing, we’re growing, and we’re fighting for a future where no one has to struggle to put food on the table, where every child gets a quality education, where workers are valued and protected, and where every North Dakotan—no matter their zip code, job, or background—has a real shot at success.”

House Minority Leader Zac Ista (D-43) said, “Patriotic North Dakotans will not sit idly by and watch our county and world thrown into chaos. From reawakened lifelong Democrats to newly frustrated independents to finally fed up Republicans, there’s a home in the North Dakota Democratic-NPL for anyone who wants to take our great country back from Donald Trump and Elon Musk.”

If residents of the Northern Red River Valley would like to get involved in their local Democratic-NPL, they can contact [email protected]

CONTACT:
Sarah Grossbauer
Northern Valley Democratic-NPL
[email protected]

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

Dem-NPL Chair urges North Dakotans to tell Fedorchak to reject House Budget Resolution

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 25, 2025

FARGO, ND – The House Republican budget resolution could be voted on as soon as this evening. To extend tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy, this budget would bring about cuts to Medicaid, hot lunch programs, SNAP, and other agricultural-related programs, and would increase the national debt.

Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn said, “The Republican budget robs from you, your children, your families, and your friends to give a massive handout to Elon Musk and the obscenely wealthy.

Democrats offered an amendment to protect Medicaid and House Republicans blocked it. A one trillion dollar cut to Medicaid would be devastating to North Dakota families. Over 112,000 North Dakotans are on Medicaid. Medicaid covers 2 out of 3 people in nursing homes; this would shutter rural nursing homes across our state. And even after they’ve gutted health care for seniors, kids, and American families to pay for these kickbacks to Trump billionaire backers, this budget will balloon our national debt by 4 trillion dollars. I called Rep. Fedorchak’s office today to ask her to vote no and not take health care away from us, our friends, our families, and our communities. I ask every citizen of this state to contact her as well.”

Fedorchak’s office can be contacted at (202) 225-2611 or https://fedorchak.house.gov/contact/email-me

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

Democratic-NPL House Leader Remarks on Rep. Josh Christy’s Death

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 19, 2025

BISMARCK, ND – Today, North Dakota Legislative Leadership announced that Representative Josh Christy (R-Fargo) passed away on February 18, 2025.

House Minority Leader Zac Ista expressed his sympathy on behalf of the Democratic-NPL caucus:

“Words cannot capture the immense loss we all feel in the Capitol. We extend our deepest condolences to Representative Josh Christy’s family and loved ones. We knew Josh to be an independent leader and the foremost technology policy expert in the Legislative Assembly. We will miss his warmth, wit, and candor. That he, a Republican, took time to share his impressive work on artificial intelligence policy with our Democratic-NPL joint caucus earlier this session is emblematic of his character and integrity. So, too, was his decision to give the gift of life to others through organ donation. Please join us in keeping the Christy family in your thoughts and prayers.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
[email protected]

Dem-NPL Chair Reacts to Cop-harassing Republican Lawmaker Posting “Wonder if the CIA would help Trump overthrow and kick this Jew out of power in Mexico?”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 3, 2024

FARGO, ND – Williston Representative Nico Rios (R-23) posted, “Wonder if the CIA would help Trump overthrow and kick this Jew out of power in Mexico?” on social media.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn said, “As a Jew myself, I’m not personally hurt by Nico Rios’ bigoted comments about Mexico’s Jewish President Claudia Scheinbaim. Time after time after time he shows us that he does not believe in North Dakota values of individual liberty, loving your neighbors, or the rule of law.

We know Nico Rios is a law-breaker and a bigot. We learned that when we called on him to resign last year when he insulted a police officer in a drunken tirade. Now we will find out who the people of Williston are. As a Fargoan, I could not be more proud of the Dem-NPL legislators who represent me; are the people of Williston proud of theirs? Is the Republican Party proud? Is this who they are? If not, what will they do about it?”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
[email protected]

Trump’s illegal freezing of federal funds will harm North Dakotans, says Dem-NPL Chair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 28, 2024

FARGO, ND – President Donald Trump has illegally frozen all federal grants and loan disbursement.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn said, “Over the past two weeks, we have seen what the new American oligarchy looks like: tax cuts and Nazi salutes for Elon Musk and a halt to cancer treatments for your children; pardoning of cop-killing January 6 insurrectionists while sending immigration agents to harass Native Americans; it freezes federal grant funds that support faith groups, farmers, social workers, nurses, and hardworking Americans but doesn’t stop procurements for aerospace, military contractors, or big pharmaceutical companies; it cuts off aid to allies like Ukraine while threatening war against allies like Denmark and Panama. Democrats nationwide have opposed this agenda for a decade; it is time for Americans from across the political spectrum to unite to break the oligarchy that has seized control of our nation.”

Goldwyn continued, “How much of our current budget outlook is based on money Armstrong believed we’ll get from the federal government? Federal grants are lifelines for our homeless shelters, our local infrastructure, and our seniors. They are decimating our federal government, and it will harm North Dakotans for generations.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
[email protected]

President Jimmy Carter Dies

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 29, 2024

FARGO, ND – Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. He was the 39th President of the United States.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn said, “Jimmy Carter represents the American Dream. A peanut farmer from rural Georgia ascending to the highest office in the land is a testament to our democracy.

Carter’s devotion to this nation continued long after his 4 years as president. Along with his wife Rosalynn, he built thousands of homes through Habitat for Humanity and advocated for human rights and peace around the world. His honesty, integrity, faith, and commitment to improving the lives of working Americans is a model for us all.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
[email protected]

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 22, 2024

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

These messages included:

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

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

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

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

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

Democratic-NPL Chair reacts to VP Debate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 1, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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