Tag Archive for: North Dakota Dem-NPL

Big, ‘beautiful’ bill is a bad deal for North Dakota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 30, 2025

FARGO – The U.S. Senate is currently debating amendments to the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act”, which if enacted, will be the largest cut to Medicaid in history. The North Dakota Legislative Council estimates that the state will lose $1.42 billion in Medicaid funding over the next 10 years.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL chair Adam Goldwyn said, “Hoeven, Cramer, and Fedorchak could stock up on all the lipstick in the world, and there still wouldn’t be enough to make this pig of a bill look beautiful. They can obfuscate, they can equivocate, and they can lie, but we know the truth. Nearly two-thirds of Americans know this bill is bad. North Dakota is still reeling from Trump-Vance storm of cuts to mental health care and FEMA grants, and we’re bracing for more. Every billionaire who attended Jeff Bezos’ $50 million dollar Venice wedding this weekend is set to get an extended tax handout paid for on the backs of working North Dakotans. Why on God’s green Earth would they vote to cut $1.42 billion in Medicaid for North Dakotans? When the Great Plains Food Bank is pleading with them to stop the cuts to SNAP, why are our lawmakers ignoring them?”

North Dakota House Minority Leader Zac Ista (D-Grand Forks) said, “Where’s Senator Hoeven? Where’s Senator Cramer? Where’s Congresswoman Fedorchak? Stand up for North Dakota. Our state will lose nearly $1.5 billion in Medicaid funding in the next decade if this bill passes, and some 19,000 North Dakotans will lose their health care coverage. That’s more people than live in Jamestown dropped from their health insurance thanks to our Republican senators and congresswoman. North Dakota taxpayers will be left holding the bag when our elected officials rubber stamp this disastrous bill.”

Don’t just take it from us:

Budget and Fiscal Policy Organizations
North Dakota Legislative Council reported, “An analysis of the Congressional Budget Office estimates by the Kaiser Family Foundation indicated North Dakota’s share of this reduction would be approximately $1.42 billion, or 12 percent of projected federal Medicaid spending in the state, compared to baseline projections. The provisions currently in the bill are estimated to reduce Medicaid enrollment in North Dakota by 18 percent by 2034, compared to baseline levels. Approximately 45 percent of the funding reduction would be attributable to a mandatory work requirement of 80 hours per month for able-bodied adults aged 19-64 without dependents, beginning December 31, 2026, for Medicaid expansion enrollees.”

Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget wrote,“The Senate bill would borrow almost $1 trillion more than the House bill. It would also fail to comply with the House reconciliation instructions requiring $2 trillion of gross spending cuts or offsetting tax cuts changes, falling nearly $500 billion short. Even these numbers understate the potential costs of the bill, since the legislation relies on a number of arbitrary expirations. Borrowing could rise by another $1 trillion – to $5 trillion or more – if temporary provisions were made permanent. The Senate should reject this bill and work toward a fiscally responsible alternative that reduces rather than explodes our high and rising debt.”

Taxpayers for Common Sense President Stephen Ellis wrote, “With this year’s deficit expected to approach $2 trillion and the national debt already at $36.2 trillion—up more than $30 trillion since 2000—we simply cannot afford to pile on trillions more. We urge you to reject this legislation and pursue a fiscally responsible approach to the expiration of tax provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.”

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities President Sharon Parrott said, “Proponents of this destructive agenda have tried every trick in the book to claim falsely that the deep and harmful cuts to food assistance and health coverage would somehow not hurt people. They’ve done all they can to portray the people it would hurt as anything but who they are — people in communities throughout the country who need help to afford the basics, most of whom work or are children, seniors, or people with disabilities. Despite obfuscation, the truth is clear — this bill will hurt people in every state if enacted.”

Advocacy Groups
AARP said, “More than 9 million Medicaid enrollees ages 50 to 64 would likely be subject to the work requirements, an analysis by the AARP Public Policy Institute (PPI) estimates, and could be at risk of losing their health insurance. And it’s not because enrollees can’t meet the standards — 92 percent of enrollees to whom the House’s requirements would apply are either already working or would likely qualify for an exemption, the health policy nonprofit KFF found — but because proving compliance could be too complex. As the coauthors of the AARP PPI analysis put it, ‘Work requirements will tangle older adults in red tape.’”

The American Association of People with Disabilities wrote, “the proposal’s requirement that Medicaid recipients re-certify their eligibility every six months is a particularly burdensome barrier to care. Many people with disabilities lack consistent access to the identification and medical documents needed to meet such requirements. Additionally, many Medicaid recipients do not have a computer, smartphone, broadband internet, or reliable transportation to assist with navigating complex administrative systems. These requirements will lead to widespread disenrollment from Medicaid, not because people are no longer eligible, but because the system makes it too hard to stay enrolled.”

The Arc CEO Katy Neas said, “For millions of people with disabilities, Medicaid and SNAP aren’t just safety nets—they’re survival. New administrative barriers aren’t about stopping waste, fraud, and abuse. They are about denying access to essential health care to as many people as possible. Families will skip check-ups, critical surgeries, and medications. Parents will go hungry so their kids don’t have to. People will be forced to choose between paying rent or seeing a doctor. This is the brutal reality for the millions who will lose health coverage and food assistance under this plan.”

Health Care Associations
National Rural Health Association said, “The unprecedented cuts in Medicaid coverage and financing in Congress’ reconciliation proposals, will have a major impact on rural communities—on the people covered by Medicaid, the rural health providers who serve them and the rural communities that will see more health facilities close, with associated impacts on access to care and local economies.”

Children’s Hospital Association President and CEO Matthew Cook said, “Cutting programs that support the health of our next generations does not reduce spending. It borrows from tomorrow and ensures that today’s kids will need more care down the road. That’s an expensive bet, and it only kicks the costs to the next generation.”

The National Association of Community Health Centers said, “Even a small shift in patients from Medicaid to uninsured status could force clinics to reduce services or close locations, jeopardizing access to cost-effective primary care and medical services in communities. Rural communities would lose critical access points for primary care, dental services, and behavioral health. When CHCs close, communities lose not just healthcare but also jobs and economic stability. Terminating Medicaid coverage for gig workers, freelancers, caregivers, and those who have been laid off will not only compromise their health but also make it harder for them to work.”

American Medical Association President Bobby Mukkamala wrote, “By changing Medicaid and CHIP eligibility criteria, reducing their funding, and eliminating the Medicare payment provision included in the House-passed reconciliation bill, this legislation risks making matters worse for an exceptional number of people including seniors, pregnant women and persons with disabilities. Limiting access to a physician does not make patients healthier; in fact, it increases the risk of turning acute, treatable issues into costly chronic conditions. As work continues on this bill, we urge senators to listen to patients and physicians before making changes that reduce access to care.”

American Hospital Association President and CEO Rick Pollack said, “This legislation will put at risk the 72 million Americans who rely on Medicaid for their health care and jeopardize the hospitals that serve them. It will adversely impact critical care for children, pregnant women, the elderly, disabled and millions of working Americans. The sheer magnitude of these cuts, the largest ever proposed by Congress, will dramatically increase the number of uninsured and undermine the ability of hospitals across America to provide critical services to everyone. We are disappointed that the Senate bill goes in the wrong direction and is substantially worse than its House counterpart.”

America’s Essential Hospitals President and CEO Bruce Siegel said, “This bill would destabilize hospitals across the nation, jeopardizing the health of millions of Americans. We urge the Senate to strengthen and support our hospitals, not destroy them.”

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network said, “Research consistently shows that access to health insurance coverage through Medicaid increases cancer screenings rates, early-stage cancer diagnoses, and improves access to timely cancer treatment and survival rates. Further, access to health insurance coverage is one of the most significant determining factors in an individual’s chance to survive cancer. Medicaid protects individuals and families from medical debt, helps keep rural hospital doors open, creates jobs in our communities, and helps our nation become healthier and more prosperous. The result of these proposed Medicaid cuts will be devastating – lives will be lost, and state economies will suffer greatly. ACS CAN urges members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to vote against these shortsighted, life-threatening cuts to Medicaid, regardless of the form they are presented in. There is simply too much to lose for the millions that rely on Medicaid to prevent, detect, treat and survive cancer.”

The Association of American Medical Colleges said, “The proposed policies do not exist in silos. Many patients beyond Medicaid enrollees would be affected by these actions. Patients would experience the consequences of intensifying the physician shortage by limiting access to student loans, not just medical students. These policies would put undue pressure on the ability of our nation’s academic health systems, teaching hospitals, and medical schools to perform their core missions: providing patient care, educating and training the next generation of physicians and other health professionals, conducting life-saving medical research, and strengthening their communities. Additionally, these policies would undermine institutions’ ability to continue driving local economic growth and employing millions of people nationwide. Those enrolled in Medicaid and many more would feel those effects.”

Food Security Organizations
Melissa Sobolik, CEO of the Great Plains Food Bank said, “The state of North Dakota for instance could have to pay an additional 11 million dollars a year or more just to cover 10 percent of the SNAP costs in our state.”

Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot said, “Based on preliminary estimates, the proposed cuts would reduce critical SNAP support by up to 6 billion to as much as 9 billion meals each year. By comparison, the entire Feeding America network of over 200 food banks and 60,000 faith-based and charitable partners provided 6 billion meals last year. Additionally, Medicaid cuts could leave 8 million people without health care, potentially resulting in 800,000 more people without adequate resources to access enough nutritious food.”

Farming Organizations pushing for a bipartisan, comprehensive Farm Bill

Mark Watne President of North Dakota Farmers Union wrote,
“The demise of the Farm Bill began when we chose to extend it, not only once but twice. As a result, we are seeing a bill drafted through a reconciliation process that only allows changes pertinent to a partisan push. Cutting SNAP and small enhancements to the farm safety net while leaving most other programs in limbo will widen the rural-urban divide and make the bill less bipartisan. This approach of reconciliation rather than the regular order of drafting a Farm Bill, where the merits and challenges of programs are debated, misses the point of a government of and for the people. It risks everything we have built as a nation — from leading the world in food production to the U.S. becoming a residual supplier of food for the world. It takes the U.S. further down the path of becoming a food importer rather than having a surplus in agricultural trade. This is a poor choice when it comes to logical food policy for our nation, for farmers and consumers.”

National Farmers Union said, “But this is not the best way to produce a meaningful farm bill. Our members know that the process matters. Pitting farm and nutrition priorities against one another creates unnecessary division and weakens the broader effort. A strong farm bill—however it comes together—must reflect the full scope of challenges facing agriculture and rural communities, and it must work for everyone it touches: farmers, ranchers, and families across the country.”

National Corn Growers Association President Kenneth Hartman Jr. said, “NCGA’s farmer leaders have long stood on the policy position that farm bills should be comprehensive and bipartisan, and that they should include farm programs and nutrition programs. Given that budget reconciliation provides only a partial pathway for select components of the farm bill, we would like return to a bipartisan, comprehensive approach to future farm bill debates.”

Trade Unions
North American Building Trades Union President Sean McGarvey said, “If enacted, this stands to be the biggest job-killing bill in the history of this country. Simply put, it is the equivalent of terminating more than 1,000 Keystone XL pipeline projects. In some cases, it worsens the already harmful trajectory of the House-passed language, threatening an estimated 1.75 million construction jobs and over 3 billion work hours, which translates to $148 billion in lost annual wages and benefits. These are staggering and unfathomable job loss numbers, and the bill throws yet another lifeline and competitive advantage to China in the race for global energy dominance.”

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers President Kenneth W. Cooper said, “This budget reconciliation bill is a direct attack on working families, shoveling tax breaks to the rich while turning its back on the people who power this country.”

AFL-CIO Government Affairs Director Jody Calemine wrote, “Beyond working moms and dads losing their jobs, it should be noted that the SNAP and Medicaid cuts hit working class children hard. Half of all children with working parents who never got a college degree are served by these programs. The bill’s purported ‘work requirements’ are in essence ‘paperwork requirements,’ needlessly complicating the process so that eligible people have a harder time obtaining benefits and simply give up. In other words, savings comes from using red tape to frustrate working people’s attempts to access the programs.

Faith Leaders
The Interfaith Alliance of North Dakota wrote, “Teachings across our faiths encourage us to help the least among us, care for those who are sick, shelter the homeless, welcome the stranger, and feed those who are hungry. Ideally, our federal budget reflects these priorities and our country’s shared moral values. That’s how programs like Medicaid and CHIP started – we sought to help those who needed a little help through our government. The “big, beautiful bill,” however, is cruel and immoral. It would have us turn our back on the teachings that guide us. We hope our elected officials can build a budget that reflects our values of decency and compassion – a budget that is indeed a moral document for all of us.”

Through the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio wrote, “As Pope Leo XIV recently stated, it is the responsibility of politicians to promote and protect the common good, including by working to overcome great wealth inequality. This bill does not answer this call. It takes from the poor to give to the wealthy. It provides tax breaks for some while undermining the social safety net for others through major cuts to nutrition assistance and Medicaid. It fails to protect families and children by promoting an enforcement-only approach to immigration and eroding access to legal protections.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America said, “Proposed adjustments to SNAP and hunger programs could cause many low-income households to lose essential food assistance without improving their employment prospects. We are concerned by proposals to limit the Thrifty Food Plan, and to force states to shoulder benefit costs, which would hinder the future financial prospects of many families. Local food pantries and meal programs—many operated by Lutheran congregations—have indicated they are already stretched beyond capacity without any changes. Rather than reducing food assistance, we should be strengthening these vital programs.”

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) said, “The bill passed by the House does not promote fiscal responsibility. Instead, it sacrifices the well-being of our neighbors on the altar of political expediency and economic inequity. Its economic impacts — delayed until after next year’s midterm elections — will reverberate for years, especially among those who rely on these essential services. As Presbyterians, our social witness policy affirms that balancing the federal budget on the backs of the poor while preserving tax advantages for the wealthy is morally indefensible. Access to food, health care, and shelter is not a privilege for the few, but a fundamental human right.”

Republicans
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) said, “I did my homework on behalf of North Carolinians, and I cannot support this bill in its current form. It would result in tens of billions of dollars in lost funding for North Carolina, including our hospitals and rural communities. This will force the state to make painful decisions like eliminating Medicaid coverage for hundreds of thousands in the expansion population, and even reducing critical services for those in the traditional Medicaid population.”

Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) said, “You cannot take away health care from working people. And unless this is changed going forward, that is what will happen in coming years.” <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/opinion/josh-hawley-dont-cut-medicaid.html"Earlier, Hawley also said the bill is “both morally wrong and politically suicidal.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
[email protected]

Trump Wrong on Wind Energy – ND Delegation must push back, says Dem-NPL Chair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 7, 2025

FARGO, ND – Today, President-elect Donald Trump claimed that his administration would block any new wind turbines saying, “We’re gonna try and have a policy where no windmills are being built.”

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn said, “He’s not even President yet, and Donald Trump is already putting the livelihoods of hundreds of North Dakotans at risk by demanding that the important work they do be completely stopped. Wind is the second largest electricity-generating source in North Dakota.

Wind turbine service technician is the fastest growing job in the United States, and North Dakota has the most wind energy-related jobs per capita in the country. Barring North Dakota landowners from building wind turbines would block them from potentially life-changing income and trample on their freedoms.

North Dakota’s congressional delegation, particularly new Energy and Commerce Committee member Julie Fedorchak, must defend these valued folks and the jobs they hold. The North Dakota congressional delegation, including Senators Hoeven and Cramer, like to talk a big game about having influence in the new administration. Now is the perfect time for them to prove it by publicly stepping up and loudly proclaiming that Donald Trump is wrong for wanting to destroy the lives of hundreds of North Dakotans.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
[email protected]

Dem-NPL Chair slams Hoeven and Cramer for voting against Right to IVF Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 13, 2024

FARGO – Today Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer voted against the Right to IVF Act. This comes after the Alabama Supreme Court effectively outlawed IVF until the legislature amended its anti-abortion law.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn said, “The Democratic Party is the party of families and family values, and we’ve proven it again today. The Right to IVF Act would protect the freedom to access IVF nationwide, ensure North Dakota doctors have the freedom to provide IVF, and lower the cost for treatments. IVF has helped thousands of North Dakotans create the families they want and deserve. The Dobbs decision has had far-reaching ramifications that have made it harder and more dangerous to become pregnant. There is a nationwide effort to rip away access to reproductive health care—including contraception and IVF—if given the chance, and Hoeven and Cramer are complicit in that. That’s why we are asking all pro-family North Dakotans to support Katrina Christiansen for Senate and Trygve Hammer for House, to protect our fundamental rights from Republican big-government interference in our families.”

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

“Vote Trygve Hammer” says Democratic-NPL Chair — after mysterious pro-Becker text

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 10, 2024

FARGO – On the eve of the Primary Election, many North Dakotans received a bizarre text message. The text is not from the North Dakota Democratic-NPL. It reads “thousands of Democrats are now pulling a Republican primary ballot and voting for Dr. Rick Becker. This is our JFK moment. Vote Rick Becker in the GOP primary tomorrow.”

Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn said, “Democrats vote for Democrats. It’s just that simple. And if John F Kennedy were alive today, he would be voting for Democrats up and down the ballot. We don’t know precisely who sent the text, but the campaigning we’ve seen from Republican candidates this primary season doesn’t represent the best of who we are as North Dakotans. The ONLY person on the ballot tomorrow who will bring the work ethic, honesty, and grit we need in a member of Congress is Marine Corps Veteran Trygve Hammer. Democrats are proud to cast our ballots for him tomorrow, and on November 5.”

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

Armstrong’s Ukraine vote is “cowardly” says Dem-NPL Chair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 22, 2024

FARGO — On Saturday, the House of Representatives passed a bill to provide around $60 million in aid to support Ukraine. All the Democrats present and 101 Republicans voted for the bill, however, a notable “nay” was North Dakota Representative and Gubernatorial candidate Kelly Armstrong.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn said, “Rep. Armstrong’s vote against Ukraine aid is cowardly. The fight to protect democracy isn’t a metaphor for the brave Ukrainians fighting against Putin’s invasion. This war is deeply personal for me—my mother-in-law and father-in-law live in Kyiv. How do I tell my own family that my representative doesn’t have the backbone to stand up for them? Armstrong is putting American and Ukrainian lives on the line as he grovels to extremists in the Republican Party. We need to elect folks like Trygve Hammer and Katrina Christiansen to Congress who will support our allies.”

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

Nicole Donaghy to receive “Hometown Hero” award at Dem-NPL Governors Dinner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 17, 2024

BISMARCK — Nicole Donaghy will receive the Hometown Hero award at the 7th Annual Democratic-NPL Governors Dinner on Saturday, April 27 at the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck.

Donaghy is a Hunkpapa Lakota from Standing Rock Nation, she is also a descendant of the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nations, and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. Donaghy is the Executive Director of North Dakota Native Vote. She’s a staunch champion for voting rights and political representation, particularly for Native American communities in North Dakota. Recognizing the systemic barriers that have historically disenfranchised Indigenous voters, Donaghy has been at the forefront of efforts to protect and expand access to the ballot box.

Democratic-NPL Vice Chair and ND Representative Lisa Finley-DeVille (D-Mandaree) remarked, “In a world where our voices are often silenced, my fellow sister and I fearlessly worked to take on the injustices that our people face. Together we’ve worked on holding polluters accountable, continue to fight for clean air and water standards, educating our people on the injustices brought forth on our lands, and building power for Native communities in North Dakota. It’s the tireless dedication of everyday citizens like Nicole, who believe in the power of collective action to create meaningful change. In the trenches of our communities, she worked to sow the seeds of progress, cultivating a future where justice, equality, and opportunity flourish. A natural grassroots organizer, her passion fuels the engine of democracy, and your commitment paves the road to a brighter tomorrow.”

The dinner will feature keynote speaker Ken Martin, who is the Chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party, President of the Association of State Democratic Committees, and a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. Tickets are available at: https://swift-cpa.net/donate/2024governorsdinner

Dem-NPL leaders, candidates react to death of Lloyd Omdahl

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 15, 2024

GRAND FORKS – Former Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota Lloyd Omdahl has died at age 93. Omdahl was appointed as North Dakota Tax Commissioner after the death of J. Arther Engen in 1963, and was appointed Lieutenant Governor after the death of Ruth Meiers in 1987.

U.S. Senate Candidate Katrina Christiansen said, “I am saddened to hear of the passing of Lt. Gov. Lloyd Omdahl. His dedication to public service and his impact on North Dakota will not be forgotten. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Lt. Governor Candidate Patrick Hart remarked, “Lloyd always thought the legacy fund will be tapped and if so it should be used for societal good such as health care or education.”

Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan (D-Fargo) said, “He was a true statesman. He studied issues thoroughly, asked pertinent questions and spoke respectfully to everyone. He loved a good debate on issues and encouraged us to disagree or question his opinions which I did often. Mostly he loved North Dakota, both the land and the people.”

Senator Tim Mathern (D-Fargo) said, “I have worked with Lloyd since first elected to the Senate in 1986 and kept in regular contact until his death at age 93. He was a master at running the ND Senate. He had a way with the rules to assure that a tie between Republicans and Democrats did not let us stalemate like today’s Congress. I think Lloyd’s greatest achievement for North Dakota was his melding of political science and journalism. If democracy survives it is journalism regarding politics that will be our saving grace. Professor Omdahl also possessed a deep religious faith. He never wore it on his sleeve but it guided his ethics in all of his professions. A party in heaven tonight for sure.”

Former Dem-NPL Chair Bob Valeu remarked, “Lloyd was a dear friend. He was my political mentor dating back to 1965. I worked for Lloyd when he served as Tax Commissioner. Lloyd genuinely believed in a representative government. He was a dedicated public servant and worked tirelessly toward perfecting our democracy. Even in his later years he and I would visit, and his advice was uplifting, positive, and right on target. Lloyd was a remarkable figure in North Dakota’s political landscape, he has left an indelible mark on the state. His legacy is one of a dedicated public servant, educator, and writer, and will be remembered by many.”

Gary Holm, who worked in the Link administration wrote, “A friend since 1965, Lloyd was an outstanding public servant, a great professor and a talented columnist. Author of “The Insurgents” about the Dem-NPL merger, he was an early leader and activist in the party. He will be missed by many who knew him and read his column.”

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

Dem-NPL Chair emphasizes full support of Trygve Hammer for U.S. House

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 9, 2024

FARGO – At the end of the filing deadline yesterday there were seven total candidates for running in the June 11 primary for the U.S. House—five on the Republican side and two on the Democratic-NPL ticket.

“After a unifying convention, Democrats stand strong with our endorsed candidates. We want to quash any notion that we support anyone other than Trygve Hammer. Trygve represents what is best about our Peace Garden State: he served our country in uniform, worked in the oil fields, and taught in our rural schools. He is also right on the issues: he is THE pro-choice, pro-union, pro-democracy candidate in this race. I am casting my vote in the June 11th primary and the November 5th general elections for Trygve, and I encourage not just every Democrat, but every Republican and independent who is tired of the anger and dysfunction in our politics to join me,” affirmed Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn.

Originally from Velva, Hammer served as a helicopter pilot, a forward air controller, a Military attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, and as an instructor and company officer at the U.S. Naval Academy. He deployed to Iraq in 2003 as an infantry officer and forward air controller. In 2010, he retired from the Marine Corps Reserve as a major.

In his civilian life, Hammer taught 7-12 grade science in Granville, worked as roughneck on oil rigs in the Bakken, and currently is a counselor for Job Corps in Minot.

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

Dem-NPL elects 8 “District Delegates” to attend the Democratic National Convention, others may still apply to attend as “At-Large Delegates”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 9, 2024

FARGO – At the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Convention, eight people out of 15 who ran were elected to serve as “district delegates” to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. These eight will appoint 7 additional delegates.

North Dakotans who are interested in becoming delegates should complete this form by Friday, April 12 at 5:00pm CT.

District Level Delegates:
Matuor Alier
– Originally born in South Sudan, Alier immigrated to the United States in 2006 as a refugee seeking a better life for my family. Since then, he has become deeply ingrained in American society and has embraced the values of democracy and equality that this great nation stands for.
Rep. Hamida Dakane – Dakane represents District 10 in the North Dakota Legislature. Originally from Kenya, she came to North Dakota 12 years ago to attend NDSU.
Rep. Gretchen Dobervich – Dobervich has represented District 11 in the North Dakota Legislature since 2016. She grew up on her family’s farm and ranch in Slope County. Dobervich is a licensed social worker and works as a public health professional in Fargo.
Patrick Hart – Hart is the endorsed candidate for Lt. Governor running with Merrill Piepkorn. He has served as State Party Chair and Treasurer. Hart is a small business owner in Bismarck.
Landis Larson – Larson is currently the President of the North Dakota AFL-CIO. He has been involved in the District 13 Democratic-NPL and is a former legislative candidate. Larson served on Platform and Resolutions Committee and as a Sergeant at Arms for the 2024 State Convention
Kylie Oversen – Kylie Oversen currently serves as Chair of the DNC Rural Council. She served in the North Dakota House of Representatives from 2012-2016 and was elected in 2015, 2017, and 2019 as State Party Chair.
Rep. Mary Schneider – For the past 10 years, Schneider has represented District 21 in the North Dakota House. Before getting a law degree, she worked as a police officer, a deputy clerk of court, as a psychiatric aide, and a criminal justice researcher. Schneider co-counselled the ARC class action which resulted in the development of community homes and services for persons with developmental disabilities who were institutionalized in abhorrent conditions.
Will Thompson – Thompson is a candidate for the North Dakota House in District 46. Thompson wants to create diverse employment opportunities that appeal to all types of skill sets in North Dakota.

This group will select North Dakotans to serve as 2 Pledged Party Leaders and Elected Officials delegates, 3 At-Large Delegates, and 2 At-Large Alternates.

The North Dakota Democratic-NPL Automatic Delegates are:

Dem-NPL Chair – Adam Goldwyn
Dem-NPL Vice-Chair – Rep. Lisa Finley-DeVille
DNC Committeeman – Jamie Selzler
DNC Committeewoman – Ruth Buffalo

At the State Convention, Selzler was elected to serve another term as DNC Committeeman. Buffalo chose not to seek re-election to this position. Renae Aarfor was elected to serve as DNC Committeewoman; her term will start after the Democratic National Convention in August gavels out. Aarfor is the former Southeastern Regional Director for Senator Heitkamp and is currently the treasurer for District 41 and Cass County Dems Chair.

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

Dem-NPL Platform demonstrates stark contrast from divisive NDGOP’s

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 8, 2024

FARGO – “The North Dakota Democratic-NPL convention was one of unity and inclusion,” said Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn

The NDGOP affirmed all but one of its controversial resolutions. Leading up to the convention, the North Dakota Republican Party was plagued with infighting members trading homophobic insults. They spent nearly three hours squabbling over blocking their own delegates from participating. Today on News and Views on KFGO the NDGOP candidate for Superintendent couldn’t even say if he thinks Muslims should be allowed to teach in public school teachers.

Among the resolutions from the NDGOP

-Eliminate gay marriage while urging the attorney general to protect any religious center that discriminates against gay marriage

-Block protections for LGBTQ communities

-Enact harmful “school choice” programs diverting taxpayer dollars from public schools to fund unregulated and unlicensed private and homeschool programs

Goldwyn continued, “What we saw from the North Dakota Republican Convention was not very North Dakota Nice. If you are disaffected by the vitriol and chaos from the, come on over to the Dem-NPL, the water here’s fine.”

The Chair of the Democratic-NPL Platform Committee Charlene Rawson said, “Ours is an examination of what freedom is really all about.” Earlier this year, the North Dakota Democratic-NPL adopted a bylaws change to make the Platform Committee a standing committee that will meet throughout the year to adapt to an ever-changing political landscape.

Highlights of the Democratic-NPL Platform

-“The Dem-NPL advocates for unambiguous state laws affirming In Vitro Fertilization practices by medical providers in the state, holding clear freedom-from-prosecution any person involved in IVF protocols, which necessarily include the destruction of certain fertilized embryos, the selective abortion of multiple successful implantations, and the medical care afforded pregnant persons consistent with contemporary medical science”

-“The Dem-NPL supports restoring the state retirement and pension program that provided a defined benefit plan for teachers and public employees; and supports maintaining separate retirement systems for public employees (PERS) and educators (TFFR), in addition to keeping them as a defined benefit plan.”

-“The Dem-NPL opposes all efforts to privatize Social Security; and to strengthen Social Security, the Dem-NPL supports an increase, in, or the elimination of, the cap on taxable earnings for Social Security taxes. The Dem-NPL opposes all efforts to weaken Medicare.”

-“The Dem-NPL recognizes proper nutrition as a requirement for physical development and learning and supports fully funded hot lunches for all public-school students through grade 12, fully funded milk programs for elementary school students, and funded alternative lunches for medically-required diet and cultural restrictions.”

-“We support full funding for all public-school districts, including providing universal early childhood education and the expansion of Head Start, English Language Learners, and job training for all New Americans and immigrants.”

-“The Dem-NPL asserts “the trigger” law, passed in 2013 with additional restrictions on abortion passed in 2023, stand contrary to the American values of freedom and liberty and should be repealed.”

-“The Dem-NPL strenuously objects to the culture of fear and exclusion accelerated by members of the North Dakota legislature. In the last legislative session, 21 discriminatory bills were introduced with the intent of targeting LGBTQ+ and depriving these North Dakotans of common liberties to which we all should enjoy.”

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

Dem-NPL Endorses Katrina Christiansen for U.S. Senate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 6, 2024

FARGO – The North Dakota Democratic-NPL has endorsed Katrina Christiansen for U.S. Senate.

“She’s running to win!” said Former Agricultural Commissioner Sarah Vogel, who nominated Christiansen.

“Some people have written off this race — me, a Democrat, a woman, winning a US Senate seat in North Dakota. But those people don’t know me. They don’t know that every hurdle I have encountered in my life is not a roadblock, but a problem to be solved,” remarked Christiansen. She added that her campaign has already raised half a million dollars.

Christiansen emphasized, “Where we defend social security and medicare from vulture capitalists looking to privatize and cut our nation’s safety nets. Our story is better when we restore reproductive rights, when we address the cost of childcare, higher ed, and housing. When we take a balanced approach to securing our border, stopping gun violence and protecting our national security. Our story is better when we lead with solutions like passing a farm bill that doesn’t leave success up to luck.”

Christiansen has rural roots. She graduated high school as valedictorian in Pender, a town of 1,200 people in northeast Nebraska, and has a PhD in Agricultural Engineering. Christiansen has worked as an agricultural engineer and professor.

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