BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Federal and state lawyers will meet in North Dakota next week to negotiate a settlement for money that the state claims it spent on policing protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline.
State Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and other state lawyers will meet with attorneys from the Corps and Justice Department at the federal courthouse in Bismarck on Sept. 16. U.S. Magistrate Judge Alice Senechal will preside over the negotiations, which are closed to the public.
“We will know on the 16th if they are serious in settling,” Stenehjem said.
It’s the first sit-down meeting with state and federal lawyers to work out a settlement, Stenehjem said. Federal judges handling the case have “strongly suggested” the negotiations, he said.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has partially vetoed a bill aimed at penalizing the state’s 11 colleges and universities for funneling federal grant money to individuals or organizations that promote or perform abortions.
Burgum said in his veto message late Friday that the sanctions are “problematic.” He vetoed the portion of the bill that contains the sanctions.
The Republican-led North Dakota Legislature passed the bill, which was primarily aimed at preventing North Dakota State University from funneling grant money to Planned Parenthood for sex education in the state.
Dem-NPL leaders from across North Dakota elected Patrick Hart to serve as the new State Party Chair on Saturday.
Hart is a small business owner living in Bismarck. He previously served as the Dem-NPL Vice Chair.
Vice Chair Kari Breker, DNC Committeeman Adam Goldwyn, Treasurer Tracey Wilkie, and Secretary Birgit Pruess were also elected.
“Together, we’ll fight for the North Dakotans that build our state. From the teachers, well technicians, farmers, and more, I am excited to build this party around you and your families’ needs,” said Hart.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Federal and state lawyers will meet in North Dakota next week to negotiate a settlement for money that the state claims it spent on policing protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline.
State Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and other state lawyers will meet with attorneys from the Corps and Justice Department at the federal courthouse in Bismarck on Sept. 16. U.S. Magistrate Judge Alice Senechal will preside over the negotiations, which are closed to the public.
“We will know on the 16th if they are serious in settling,” Stenehjem said.
It’s the first sit-down meeting with state and federal lawyers to work out a settlement, Stenehjem said. Federal judges handling the case have “strongly suggested” the negotiations, he said.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has partially vetoed a bill aimed at penalizing the state’s 11 colleges and universities for funneling federal grant money to individuals or organizations that promote or perform abortions.
Burgum said in his veto message late Friday that the sanctions are “problematic.” He vetoed the portion of the bill that contains the sanctions.
The Republican-led North Dakota Legislature passed the bill, which was primarily aimed at preventing North Dakota State University from funneling grant money to Planned Parenthood for sex education in the state.
Dem-NPL leaders from across North Dakota elected Patrick Hart to serve as the new State Party Chair on Saturday.
Hart is a small business owner living in Bismarck. He previously served as the Dem-NPL Vice Chair.
Vice Chair Kari Breker, DNC Committeeman Adam Goldwyn, Treasurer Tracey Wilkie, and Secretary Birgit Pruess were also elected.
“Together, we’ll fight for the North Dakotans that build our state. From the teachers, well technicians, farmers, and more, I am excited to build this party around you and your families’ needs,” said Hart.
This North Dakota onAir hub supports its citizens to become more informed about and engaged in federal and state politics while facilitating more civil and positive discussions with their representatives, candidates, and fellow North Dakotans.
North Dakota onAir is one of 50 state governance and elections hubs that the US onAir Network is providing to reinvigorate our imperiled democracy.
Virginia onAir is US onAir’s model of how a state’s onAir Council and curators can enhance a state Hub with fresh Top News and state legislature content, moderated discussions, and production of zoom aircasts with committees, interviews and debates with candidates, and presentations.
For more information about the many opportunities to learn about and engage with this North Dakota onAir hub, go to this US onAir post on the US onAir central hub.
Our two minute vision video about the US onAir network is below.
This North Dakota onAir hub supports its citizens to become more informed about and engaged in federal and state politics while facilitating more civil and positive discussions with their representatives, candidates, and fellow North Dakotans.
North Dakota onAir is one of 50 state governance and elections hubs that the US onAir Network is providing to reinvigorate our imperiled democracy.
Virginia onAir is US onAir’s model of how a state’s onAir Council and curators can enhance a state Hub with fresh Top News and state legislature content, moderated discussions, and production of zoom aircasts with committees, interviews and debates with candidates, and presentations.
For more information about the many opportunities to learn about and engage with this North Dakota onAir hub, go to this US onAir post on the US onAir central hub.
Our two minute vision video about the US onAir network is below.
Current Position: Governor since 2016 Affiliation: Republican Former Position(s): Tech Entrepeneur from 1983 – 2007
Featured Quote: Preliminary figures show our 2019-21 state budget exceeded expectations with a $1B positive balance, nearly $320M more than projected. These robust revenues speak to the strength of ND’s economy and our conservative approach to forecasting and budgeting.
Featured Video: The Future Belongs to the Courageously Curious | Doug Burgum | TEDxFargo
Gov. Doug Burgum has outlined his proposals to spend the $1 billion in federal money from the American Rescue Plan Act.
And he also wants to spend some money from the ending fund balance – the money the state has in the bank after the last two year budget period ended.
“We’re calling this plan ‘Accelerate ND,” Burgum told reporters at the Capitol. “We have an unprecedented opportunity to make major investments in our state right now.”
Burgum told reporters – of the $1 billion in ARPA money, $423 million has already been called for. And with the $697 million unencumbered, he proposes using it for workforce and economic development, infrastructure and capital improvements, emergency response, health care and other services.
Burgum is also proposing using part of the general fund balance to give income tax relief to North Dakotans – up to $500 per year for the next two years.
BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) – North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum says he no plans to order state employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
“We’re going to keep focusing on education, not mandates. The mandates seem to have a bad reaction in our state. They probably work somewhere, here they probably have the reverse effect” Burgum said.
The latest CDC figures show a vaccination rate in the state of slightly over 41%. Nearly 314,000 people are fully vaccinated.
Burgum says he’s hoping that FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine will encourage more people to get their shots.
Burgum says the pandemic has turned into a political debate and says he’d expect resistance if he were to impose a vaccine requirement for state workers.
Current Position: Governor since 2016 Affiliation: Republican Former Position(s): Tech Entrepeneur from 1983 – 2007
Featured Quote: Preliminary figures show our 2019-21 state budget exceeded expectations with a $1B positive balance, nearly $320M more than projected. These robust revenues speak to the strength of ND’s economy and our conservative approach to forecasting and budgeting.
Featured Video: The Future Belongs to the Courageously Curious | Doug Burgum | TEDxFargo
Gov. Doug Burgum has outlined his proposals to spend the $1 billion in federal money from the American Rescue Plan Act.
And he also wants to spend some money from the ending fund balance – the money the state has in the bank after the last two year budget period ended.
“We’re calling this plan ‘Accelerate ND,” Burgum told reporters at the Capitol. “We have an unprecedented opportunity to make major investments in our state right now.”
Burgum told reporters – of the $1 billion in ARPA money, $423 million has already been called for. And with the $697 million unencumbered, he proposes using it for workforce and economic development, infrastructure and capital improvements, emergency response, health care and other services.
Burgum is also proposing using part of the general fund balance to give income tax relief to North Dakotans – up to $500 per year for the next two years.
BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) – North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum says he no plans to order state employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
“We’re going to keep focusing on education, not mandates. The mandates seem to have a bad reaction in our state. They probably work somewhere, here they probably have the reverse effect” Burgum said.
The latest CDC figures show a vaccination rate in the state of slightly over 41%. Nearly 314,000 people are fully vaccinated.
Burgum says he’s hoping that FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine will encourage more people to get their shots.
Burgum says the pandemic has turned into a political debate and says he’d expect resistance if he were to impose a vaccine requirement for state workers.
Doug Burgum took office as the 33rd governor of North Dakota on December 15, 2016. Doug brings a business leader’s approach to diversifying the economy, creating 21st century jobs, and revitalizing our main streets.
Burgum’s small-town upbringing and agricultural roots laid the foundation for his shared values of respect for the past, gratitude for the present and inspiration for the future.
Driven by a strong belief in North Dakota’s people and a powerful dream, he returned to his home state and helped lead Great Plains Software from a small startup company in 1983 into an award-winning tech firm that employed thousands of team members from more than 220 cities across North Dakota.
Burgum led Great Plains as CEO through its initial public offering in 1997 and acquisition by Microsoft Corp. in 2001. He remained at Microsoft as senior vice president through 2007, helping the company stake a leading position in the global business applications software industry.
In 2006, Burgum reaffirmed his passion for North Dakota by founding Kilbourne Group, a real estate development firm committed to creating smart, healthy cities through vibrant downtowns. The company’s substantial impact on revitalizing downtown Fargo inspired his Main Street Initiative.
In 2008, Burgum co-founded Arthur Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in ambitious, mission-driven software companies. The success of those people and businesses guided by Burgum’s leadership and inspiration has created billions of dollars of shareholder wealth and thousands of jobs.
In 2009, then-Gov. John Hoeven awarded Burgum the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, North Dakota’s highest citizen honor. The award recognized Burgum for his business leadership and numerous philanthropic efforts, including the Doug Burgum Family Fund, which focuses its charitable giving on youth and education.
Born August 1, 1956, Burgum grew up in Arthur, N.D. He has maintained his commitment and connection to his roots through family farm partnerships, by serving as a member for Arthur Companies, Inc., a diversified agribusiness company founded by his grandparents in 1906, and through a ranching partnership in the Badlands of western North Dakota.
Burgum graduated with a bachelor’s degree in university studies from North Dakota State University in 1978. He earned a master’s of business administration from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 1980.
He was elected governor on Nov. 8, 2016, in his first run for political office.
Burgum is married to Kathryn Helgaas Burgum and has two sons, Joe and Tom, and a daughter, Jesse.
Office
Office of Governor, State of North Dakota 600 East Boulevard Avenue Bismarck, ND 58505-0100 Phone: 701.328.2200 Fax: 701.328.2205
Experience
Work Experience
CEO Great Plains Software
Senior Vice President Microsoft Business Solutions Group 2001 to 2007
Douglas James Burgum (born August 1, 1956) is an American entrepreneur and politician serving as the 33rd and current governor of North Dakota since 2016. He is a member of the Republican Party.[1]
Burgum joined Great Plains Software in 1983 and became its president in 1984. He sold the company to Microsoft for $1.1 billion in 2001. At Microsoft, he became the head of Microsoft Business Solutions. He began serving as chairman of the board for Atlassian in 2012. He also served on the board for SuccessFactors starting in 2007 and as chairman from 2010 to 2012. Burgum is the founder of Kilbourne Group, a Fargo-based real-estate development firm, as well as a co-founder of Arthur Ventures.
In 2016 Burgum announced his intention to run for the governorship of North Dakota as a Republican. With no formal political experience and despite losing the state party’s endorsement to longtime Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem at the party convention in April, Burgum defeated Stenehjem in the primary election to claim the Republican nomination. He faced DemocratMarvin Nelson and Libertarian Marty Riske in the November general election; he won with over 75% of the vote. He was reelected in 2020 with 66% of the vote.[2]
Early life and education
Burgum was born on August 1, 1956 in Arthur, North Dakota, where his grandfather had founded a grain elevator in 1906.[3] He is the son of Katherine (Kilbourne) and Joseph Boyd Burgum.[4][5] He attended North Dakota State University (NDSU) to earn his undergraduate degree in 1978. During his senior year at NDSU, he applied to the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He also started a chimney-sweeping business. “The newspaper wrote a story about me as a chimney sweep”, he later recalled; it “ran a photo of me sitting on top of an icy chimney in below-freezing weather in Fargo. The story made the AP wire service. I was later told it caused quite a stir in the Stanford admissions office: ‘Hey, there’s a chimney sweep from North Dakota who’s applied.’”[6]
He was accepted to study business at Stanford. While there, he befriended Steve Ballmer, who would later be CEO of Microsoft. During his last year at Stanford, Burgum “spent the whole final quarter on a project team with Ballmer.”[6] He received his MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 1980. He later received honorary doctorates from North Dakota State[7] in 2000 and from the University of Mary in 2006.[8]
Executive career
Early career
Following his graduation from Stanford GSB, Burgum moved to Chicago to become a consultant with McKinsey & Company. Soon afterward he mortgaged $250,000 of farmland to provide the seed capital for accounting software company Great Plains Software in Fargo, North Dakota.[3] He joined the company in 1983 and became its president in 1984 after leading a small investment group composed of family members in buying out the rest of the company.
Great Plains Software
During the 1980s, Fortune magazine often ranked Great Plains among the top 100 companies to work for in the United States. Burgum grew the company to about 250 employees by 1989 and led the company to about $300 million in annual sales and a 1997 IPO, after using the Internet to help it expand beyond North Dakota.[9] In 2001 he sold Great Plains Software to Microsoft for $1.1 billion.[10] Burgum has said he built the company in Fargo because of its proximity to North Dakota State University, in order to employ its stream of engineering students.[11]
Microsoft
After the sale, Burgum was named Senior Vice President of Microsoft Business Solutions Group,[8][12] the offshoot created from merging Great Plains into the corporation.[7] He stayed with Microsoft until 2007 and was responsible for making enterprise apps a priority for Microsoft during this tenure.[13]Satya Nadella, current CEO of Microsoft, has credited Burgum with “inspiring him to find the soul of Microsoft”.[14]
Board work
Burgum has served on the advisory board for Stanford Graduate School of Business[8] and was on the board of SuccessFactors during the 2000s, becoming its chairman from 2007 till the 2011 sale of the company to SAP. In 2012 he became the first chairman of the board for Atlassian, after it expanded from its initial board of three members (none of whom served as the official chair).[15] During 2011 and 2014, he twice spent several months as the interim CEO of Intelligent InSites,[8] a company for which he has served as the executive chairman of the board since 2008.[16] That year he also became a member of Avalara’s board of directors.[17]
Investment firms
Burgum is the founder of the Kilbourne Group, a real-estate development firm focused on Downtown Fargo.[18][19] In 2013 he created plans to build the tallest building in Fargo—a 23-story mixed-use building—to be named either Block 9 or Dakota Place.[20] The company has also advocated for a convention center to be built in Downtown Fargo.[21] It has acquired and renovated many Fargo properties, including the former St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and the former Woodrow Wilson alternative high school.[22] Burgum co-founded Arthur Ventures, a venture capital company.[16] Several of the companies he has invested in are in Fargo.[10][23]
Philanthropy
Burgum supports philanthropic causes like the Plains Art Museum.[24] In 2001[25] he donated a refurbished school building he had acquired in 2000 to North Dakota State University. It was named Renaissance Hall and became home to the university’s visual arts department, major components of the architecture and landscape architecture department and the Tri-College University office.[26] In 2008 Burgum started the Doug Burgum Family Fund, which focuses its charitable giving on youth, education and health.[8]
In 2016, Burgum announced his intent to run for governor of North Dakota as a Republican. With no formal political experience, Burgum lost the state Republican party’s gubernatorial endorsement contest to longtime Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem at the party convention in April. Nevertheless, he defeated Stenehjem handily in the primary election two months later to claim the nomination. Burgum faced Democrat Marvin Nelson and Libertarian Marty Riske in the November general election and won with over 75% of the vote.[2]
On November 12, 2021, Burgum signed into law legislation banning critical race theory from public school curricula.[31]
Uniquely among Republicans, Burgum has set a goal for North Dakota to become carbon-neutral by 2030. He plans to pursue this goal while maintaining a robust fossil fuel industry, through the use of carbon capture and storage technology to capture and sequester carbon dioxide in the state’s geologic formations. He supports the use of carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery, the process by which carbon dioxide is injected into depleted oil fields to boost production. He also supports agricultural practices that store carbon in soil.[32] The announcement of the goal sparked $25 billion in private sector investment, according to remarks he made at the annual meeting of the North Dakota petroleum council.[33]
In July 2020, Burgum called the 2020 Republican platform “divisive and divisional” on LGBT issues.[35][36]
Personal life
Burgum married his first wife, Karen Stoker, in 1991. They have three children and divorced in 2003.[citation needed] In 2016, Burgum married Kathryn Helgaas.[37]
“Anything being done simply because ‘that’s the way we have always done it’ should be and must be rigorously and respectfully questioned. And no matter what, we must have the courage to admit that we can always do better.” – Governor Doug Burgum Four Elements of Reinvention Unification/Shared Services | Delivery of Service | Digital Transformation | Cultural Transformation We have an opportunity to reinvent state government and embrace technology to hold down costs and build an economy and workforce for the 21st century.
These powerful technological forces are fueling an underlying change in our economy and will challenge all of our existing approaches, systems and institutions. Harnessing these forces can lead to lower costs and better outcomes in health care, education and infrastructure. And these areas are some of the biggest cost drivers of our state budget. To do that we need a culture in state government focused on the willingness to grow and change and leaders who will lead us through that change.
Fulfilled the administration’s goal to use technology to boost transparency. The state Office of Management and Budget (OMB) completed a major upgrade to the transparency section of its website, creating a more user-friendly experience for citizens searching for budget data, vendor contracts, fund balances and other financial information about state government. Fulfilled another pledge by taking several steps to improve the state’s revenue forecasting system, making it more accurate and ensuring taxpayer resources are being used most efficiently. Continued to drive a “work as one” culture in state government through human resources unification and streamlining HR policies; more robust leadership training and team member development opportunities; and greater cross-agency and cross-branch collaboration through regular XCL (Extended Cabinet Leadership) and JEL (Judicial, Executive, Legislative) meetings. Supported the K-20W “Every Student, Every Class, Cyber Educated” initiative, a multi-faceted, comprehensive approach to computer science and cybersecurity education and workforce training. North Dakota will be the first state in the nation with integrated cybersecurity and computer science K-12 standards. Launched Vision Zero as the state’s primary traffic safety initiative with the state Department of Transportation, Highway Patrol and Department of Health. The goal of the comprehensive effort is to continually work toward zero motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads.
Economy
Main Street Initiative
“To create a 21st century economy, we need to build on three pillars of economic success: a skilled workforce; smart, efficient infrastructure; and healthy, vibrant communities. By reinventing education, we will create a skilled workforce that matches the high-paying jobs of today and tomorrow. Utilizing our current infrastructure to its fullest potential, we can reduce the cost of local government and create vibrant, healthy cities.” – Governor Doug Burgum
Three Pillars Of Economic Success A Skilled Workforce | Smart, Efficient Infrastructure | Healthy, Vibrant Communities The Main Street Initiative will focus on utilizing existing infrastructure to its fullest potential to reduce costs and create vibrant, healthy cities. We will partner with city leaders from across the state to ensure they have the tools, programs and empowerment they need for smart, healthy growth.
The Main Street Initiative was built on a foundation of values: respect for the past, gratitude for the present, and inspiration for the future. By focusing our efforts on creating vibrant main streets with smart infrastructure, we will attract and retain a skilled workforce and realize our full potential as a state.
Progress Updates
Communities representing more than half a million North Dakotans are engaged in one or more of the Main Street Initiative’s three pillars, exploring what they can do to build healthy, vibrant communities with smart, efficient infrastructure to attract a 21st century workforce. Participation continues to grow, with more than 60 communities large and small engaged in the initiative. Launched the national award-winning Main Street Community Dashboard as well as the Main Street Community Leaders Peer Network to share best practices and promote learning on MSI-related topics. Received the Workforce Development Council’s recommendations for addressing our workforce shortage. Governor Burgum reestablished the Council and commissioned the report in 2017, and the report is the culmination of 11 months of intense work by Council members. The report lays out options to address North Dakota’s workforce development and shortage problems, including recommendations such as lowering barriers to unemployment and developing programs to help them earn gainful employment. The full report can be found here. Expanded community development programs aimed at improving main streets, public facilities and services. More than $2.3 million in funds were made available for these programs with the aid of the North Dakota Department of Commerce. At least $500,000 will be used to support the Main Street Initiative by promoting livable communities, addressing unmet community development needs and promoting activities that enhance local economic development efforts. More information on the Governor’s Fund for community Development is available here. Hosted, with the North Dakota Department of Commerce, the first-ever Main Street ND Summit at the Bismarck Event Center, welcoming more than 650 community members, students and state team members. Attendees learned about strategies and resources to address the three pillars of the Main Street Initiative. A second Main Street ND Summit is planned for October 2019.
“We can’t prepare our kids for the 21st century using a 19th-century model.” – Governor Doug Burgum Opportunities in Education Innovation | Governance With nearly all of the world’s information now available for free online, educators, parents, businesses, community organizations and legislators must all play a role in transforming the education system.
It’s not enough for students to do well on traditional measures. The challenge is how to equip them with the skills and mindsets they need to be creative problem solvers, effective communicators and informed, responsible citizens who are strong collaborators.
Received final reports from the governor’s Innovative Education Task Force and the Task Force for Higher Education Governance, outlining recommendations to ensure North Dakota’s education system is positioned to excel in the 21st century. Hosted a statewide Hour of Code event, encouraging the development of computer science among North Dakota’s students. While the Hour of Code event has occurred annually since 2013, North Dakota’s participation in 2018 marked the first time that a state hosted a simultaneous Hour of Code between K-12 and higher-ed students across the state. More than 6,000 students participated at nearly 100 schools in North Dakota. The event was sponsored by the State of North Dakota, local education leaders and schools, and Microsoft. Announced a 100-gigabit upgrade to the state network, placing North Dakota schools and government on the leading edge of internet connectivity and speed. This upgrade will be finished in 2019 and ensures that North Dakota will be the first state to achieve 1-gigabit connectivity in every school district. This increased connectivity will open avenues to innovation for every North Dakota school, enhancing educational methods and expanding opportunities for our students. The upgrade will represent anywhere from a two- to ten-times speed increase in capacity for K-12 schools.
“We need to start treating addiction like the chronic disease that it is. By moving resources upstream, we will save lives and save money.” – Governor Doug Burgum
Continuum of Care Prevention | Early Intervention | Treatment | Recovery As drug addiction and overdoses take their toll on North Dakota families, the state must start treating addiction differently. Seventy-seven people died in North Dakota in 2016 from overdoses, and more than $260 million was spent in the past decade on new jails at the city, county and state levels.
Many of those in our system are there because of crimes rooted in addiction. Jail time without rehab is not a cure for addiction.
Created the Office of Recovery Reinvented through an executive order. This Office is tasked with promoting efforts to eliminate the shame and stigma surrounding addiction. Addiction destroys families and communities, affecting every area of life. North Dakota is taking responsibility and further methods to combat behavioral health issues across the state. The Office of Recovery Reinvented is a seven-member advisory committee, chaired by First Lady Kathryn Burgum, that is making a difference in the lives of many. More information is available at www.recoveryreinvented.com. Launched the Youth Ending Stigma (YES) Challenge in partnership with the First Lady. The Challenge is designed to enable student-led initiatives and projects focused on eliminating social stigma surrounding behavioral health issues including addiction and mental health conditions. Student projects will be led from March through April of 2019. More information can be found here. Hosted the first-ever Peer Support Day at the Capitol. The event saw behavioral health advocates, peer support specialists, individuals who have received peer support services, behavioral health and health care providers, state and local decision-makers and other interested individuals come together to discuss the approach and benefits of peer support and the role that it plays in recovery. In partnership with the Department of Human Services’ Behavioral Health Division, we are pursuing key strategies as part of our Behavioral Health Initiative: supporting the full continuum of care, embedding services close to home and people’s natural supports to keep families together, and stop criminalizing behavioral health and divert criminal justice involvement.
Tribal Partnerships
“I pledge my administration to a fresh start in our relations with all tribal nations who live with and among us. Our goal is to understand each tribe’s individual issues and circumstances so that we may move forward together.” – Governor Doug Burgum Focus Areas for Partnership Engage | Listen | Learn Through the course of meeting with tribal leadership from every Native American tribe headquartered in the state — the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation in New Town, the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in Belcourt, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in Fort Yates and Spirit Lake Nation in St. Michael — we continue to identify areas of opportunity for government-to-government collaboration. The issues range from water rights, taxes, emergency management and law enforcement to addiction, infrastructure, historic sites and tourism.
Collectively strengthening our tribal communities across North Dakota will happen when we genuinely engage, listen and learn about each tribe’s individual challenges and opportunities.
Opened a first-of-its-kind conference on strengthening government-to-government partnerships between the State of North Dakota and tribal nations. Hosted by the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission, more than 300 people attended the historic two-day conference in January, including tribal leaders, elders and other members, dozens of leaders and staff from various state agencies, state legislators and federal partners. Held a second strengthening government-to-government partnerships conference in December. Burgum joined Chairman Mark Fox of the MHA Nation in signing a memorandum of understanding under which the state will recognize motor vehicle license plates and registrations issued by the MHA Nation to its enrolled members residing within its jurisdictional boundaries. Laid the groundwork for tax revenue-sharing legislation through the work of the interim Tribal Taxation Issues Committee, which Gov. Burgum chaired and on which Lt. Gov. Sanford also served.
The North Dakota Legislative Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of North Dakota. The Legislative Assembly consists of two chambers, the lower North Dakota House of Representatives, with 94 representatives, and the upper North Dakota Senate, with 47 senators. The state is divided into 47 constituent districts, with two representatives and one senator elected from each district. Members of both houses are elected without term limits. Due to the Legislative Assembly being a biennial legislature, with the House and Senate sitting for only 80 days in odd-numbered years, a Legislative Council oversees legislative affairs in the interim periods, doing longer-term studies of issues, and drafting legislation for consideration of both houses during the next session.
The Legislative Assembly convenes in the west chamber of the 19-story Art Deco state capitol building in Bismarck.
As part of a proposal to spend $400 million of federal COVID relief funds on infrastructure projects, Sen. Tim Mathern (D-Fargo) is pushing for a “green corridor” for North Dakota.
“A green corridor is making sure that we have transportation routes in North Dakota for people who use what we call ‘green energy’ — electricity, hydrogen, natural gas,” Mathern said. “The goal is to have the infrastructure ready for the future.”
Mathern said it would include constructing charging stations for electric vehicles, as well as stations for hydrogen fuel. He said it’s not just for passenger cars – it’s also for big semi trucks, which will use electricity or hydrogen fuels.
“If our state doesn’t have these recharging units, or fueling units, trucking companies will go around North Dakota,” Mathern said.
Mathern says under his proposal, state agencies, such as Commerce or DOT, would be making the decisions on where those fueling stations are built.
The proposal is being considered by the interim House and Senate Appropriations Committees, for possible introduction in the November special session.
The Legislature’s Redistricting Committee has endorsed the idea of having House subdistricts in those districts that serve two of the state’s Native American reservations.
Affected would be District 4 – which includes Fort Berthold, and District 9, which includes the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.
Rep. Terry Jones (R-New Town) is one of the District 4 House members. He appealed to the Committee to reject the subdistrict idea.
“The people of District 4 voted overwhelmingly for us to represent them,” Jones told the Committee Wednesday. “I would ask what business anyone has to change the game for those people who voted for us. I have full faith in our performance in making sure we are treating the Native American population in District 4 fairly and equitably, and they have adequate representation.”
Jones appeared before the Committee Tuesday as well to plead that case.
“To subdivide a small portion of the state, based on something to do with a sovereign nation, that stands up and claims ‘We’re soverign,’ but they want special treatment in the Legislature, the answer from me and my constituents is ‘Thank you, no,’” Jones said.
Sen. Ray Holmberg (R-Grand Forks) made the motion to create the two subdistricts.
“I have come to believe that doing this is doing the right thing,” Holmberg said.
Holmberg said there are legal arguments that creating the subdistricts would be in the spirit of the Voting Rights Act.
“But doing this is the right thing to do, in our relationships with our Native populations,” Holmberg said.
The vote was 10 to 6. It will be up to the full Legislature to make the final call, during a November special session.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A panel of North Dakota lawmakers on Thursday agreed to use the current number of legislators and the districts they represent as a template for redrawing new political boundaries.
The redistricting committee, which has 14 Republicans and two Democrats, began the arduous task of redistricting that when finalized later this year likely will show urban areas of the state gaining political strength in the Legislature, and rural parts losing clout due to population shifts in the past decade.
The panel is expected to complete its work by November, after several work sessions. No drafts of proposed legislative districts were offered at the initial meeting.
North Dakota now has 47 legislative districts, with each represented by two House members and a senator. The Legislature has 141 lawmakers — 47 senators and 94 House members.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has partially vetoed a bill aimed at penalizing the state’s 11 colleges and universities for funneling federal grant money to individuals or organizations that promote or perform abortions.
Burgum said in his veto message late Friday that the sanctions are “problematic.” He vetoed the portion of the bill that contains the sanctions.
The Republican-led North Dakota Legislature passed the bill, which was primarily aimed at preventing North Dakota State University from funneling grant money to Planned Parenthood for sex education in the state.
Summary
The North Dakota Legislative Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of North Dakota. The Legislative Assembly consists of two chambers, the lower North Dakota House of Representatives, with 94 representatives, and the upper North Dakota Senate, with 47 senators. The state is divided into 47 constituent districts, with two representatives and one senator elected from each district. Members of both houses are elected without term limits. Due to the Legislative Assembly being a biennial legislature, with the House and Senate sitting for only 80 days in odd-numbered years, a Legislative Council oversees legislative affairs in the interim periods, doing longer-term studies of issues, and drafting legislation for consideration of both houses during the next session.
The Legislative Assembly convenes in the west chamber of the 19-story Art Deco state capitol building in Bismarck.
As part of a proposal to spend $400 million of federal COVID relief funds on infrastructure projects, Sen. Tim Mathern (D-Fargo) is pushing for a “green corridor” for North Dakota.
“A green corridor is making sure that we have transportation routes in North Dakota for people who use what we call ‘green energy’ — electricity, hydrogen, natural gas,” Mathern said. “The goal is to have the infrastructure ready for the future.”
Mathern said it would include constructing charging stations for electric vehicles, as well as stations for hydrogen fuel. He said it’s not just for passenger cars – it’s also for big semi trucks, which will use electricity or hydrogen fuels.
“If our state doesn’t have these recharging units, or fueling units, trucking companies will go around North Dakota,” Mathern said.
Mathern says under his proposal, state agencies, such as Commerce or DOT, would be making the decisions on where those fueling stations are built.
The proposal is being considered by the interim House and Senate Appropriations Committees, for possible introduction in the November special session.
The Legislature’s Redistricting Committee has endorsed the idea of having House subdistricts in those districts that serve two of the state’s Native American reservations.
Affected would be District 4 – which includes Fort Berthold, and District 9, which includes the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.
Rep. Terry Jones (R-New Town) is one of the District 4 House members. He appealed to the Committee to reject the subdistrict idea.
“The people of District 4 voted overwhelmingly for us to represent them,” Jones told the Committee Wednesday. “I would ask what business anyone has to change the game for those people who voted for us. I have full faith in our performance in making sure we are treating the Native American population in District 4 fairly and equitably, and they have adequate representation.”
Jones appeared before the Committee Tuesday as well to plead that case.
“To subdivide a small portion of the state, based on something to do with a sovereign nation, that stands up and claims ‘We’re soverign,’ but they want special treatment in the Legislature, the answer from me and my constituents is ‘Thank you, no,’” Jones said.
Sen. Ray Holmberg (R-Grand Forks) made the motion to create the two subdistricts.
“I have come to believe that doing this is doing the right thing,” Holmberg said.
Holmberg said there are legal arguments that creating the subdistricts would be in the spirit of the Voting Rights Act.
“But doing this is the right thing to do, in our relationships with our Native populations,” Holmberg said.
The vote was 10 to 6. It will be up to the full Legislature to make the final call, during a November special session.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A panel of North Dakota lawmakers on Thursday agreed to use the current number of legislators and the districts they represent as a template for redrawing new political boundaries.
The redistricting committee, which has 14 Republicans and two Democrats, began the arduous task of redistricting that when finalized later this year likely will show urban areas of the state gaining political strength in the Legislature, and rural parts losing clout due to population shifts in the past decade.
The panel is expected to complete its work by November, after several work sessions. No drafts of proposed legislative districts were offered at the initial meeting.
North Dakota now has 47 legislative districts, with each represented by two House members and a senator. The Legislature has 141 lawmakers — 47 senators and 94 House members.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has partially vetoed a bill aimed at penalizing the state’s 11 colleges and universities for funneling federal grant money to individuals or organizations that promote or perform abortions.
Burgum said in his veto message late Friday that the sanctions are “problematic.” He vetoed the portion of the bill that contains the sanctions.
The Republican-led North Dakota Legislature passed the bill, which was primarily aimed at preventing North Dakota State University from funneling grant money to Planned Parenthood for sex education in the state.
According to Article IV, Section 1 of the North Dakota Constitution, the Senate must be composed of no fewer than 40 senators, and no more than 54. Similarly, the House of Representatives must be composed of no fewer than 80 and no more than 108 representatives. Section 2 states that the Legislative Assembly can divide the state into as many legislative districts of compact and contiguous territory as there are senators. A senator and at least two representatives must be apportioned to each senatorial district and be elected at large or from subdistricts from those districts. The Legislative Assembly may combine two senatorial districts only when a single member senatorial district includes a federal facility or federal installation, containing over two-thirds of the population of a single member senatorial district, and may provide for the election of senators at-large and representatives at-large from subdistricts from those districts.
In addition to a four-year term for both houses of the Legislative Assembly, Section 3 states that one-half of the members of the Senate and one-half of the members of the House of Representatives must be elected biennially. Originally, the North Dakota Constitution limited members of the North Dakota House of Representatives to two-year terms, with the all representatives standing for reelection at the same time. In 1996, the voters approved a constitutional amendment that changed the term for representatives to four-years with staggered terms. The amendment went into effect July 1, 1997, and was first applied in the 1998 elections.[1][2] All statutes passed by the Legislative Assembly and signed by the governor become part of the North Dakota Century Code.
Qualifications
Members of both houses elected to the Legislative Assembly must be, on the day of the election, a qualified elector from their home district and must be a resident of North Dakota for one year immediately prior to their election.
Legislative management
Due to the biennial nature of the legislature, legislation, research, committee reports, and testimony during interim periods is provided by the Legislative Management. Legislative Management consists of 17 legislators, including the majority and minority leaders of both houses and the Speaker of the House. The Speaker appoints six other representatives, three from the majority party and three from the minority party as recommended by the majority and minority leaders, respectively. The Lieutenant Governor, as President of the Senate, appoints four senators from the majority and two from the minority as recommended by the majority and minority leaders, though the Senate President does not sit on Legislative Management.
Meeting places
Built between 1883 and 1884, the original territorial (and later) state capitol building served as the home to the Legislative Assembly until the morning of December 28, 1930, when the original building burned down. During the fire, Secretary of State Robert Byrne saved the original copy of the state constitution, but suffered cuts and burns on his hands while breaking a window to reach the document. In the interim period without a capitol, the Legislative Assembly convened in both the War Memorial Building and the City Auditorium in Bismarck. Under the approval of Governor George F. Shafer, the current Art Deco capitol was built as a replacement between 1931 and 1934 in the midst of the Great Depression.
Current Position: US Senator since 2011 Affiliation: Republican Former Position(s): Governor of North Dakota from 2000 – 2010; President of the Bank of North Dakota from 1993 – 2000
Other Positions: Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management and Trade – Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Conservation, Climate, Forestry and Natural Resources Ranking Member, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee – Committee on Appropriations
Featured Quote: Thank you to SDA & @SpaceX for inviting me out to @SLDelta45 for the launch of @SpaceX’s Transporter-2. The satellites are a key part of ensuring that the U.S. wins today’s race in space and an important aspect of our efforts to develop operations in #NorthDakota.
Featured Video: North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven at the border: “This has to stop RIGHT NOW”
(Fargo, ND) — If you’re wondering how some of North Dakota’s leaders would handle the situation in Afghanistan, one is speaking out on the issue.
Senator John Hoeven this week joined Senator John Cornyn in pressing President Biden to outline the administration’s plans following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
In the letter, Hoeven and his colleagues press the president for answers on several unanswered, urgent issues, including the administration’s plans to:
Evacuate Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants and other vulnerable Afghans;
Ensure that Al Qaida does not resurge and regain a foothold in Afghanistan;
Disable any air forces that operate under orders from the Taliban;
Counter China’s growing relationship with the Taliban;
Ensure that the Taliban does not destabilize neighboring Pakistan, and;
Ensure that Afghanistan, under Taliban occupation, will never acquire a nuclear weapon.
“The consequences of withdrawal from Afghanistan are not isolated to that country, or even to the Middle East region. The withdrawal carried geopolitical and strategic consequences that have already begun to unfold and will reverberate for decades. Dealing with these consequences means that we must take action now to chart the course for American strategy, while we manage the immediate repercussions of this self-inflicted crisis in Afghanistan. We do not have the luxury of time to sit by watching in resignation as the aftershocks of this crises shake the world,” the senators wrote.
Current Position: US Senator since 2011 Affiliation: Republican Former Position(s): Governor of North Dakota from 2000 – 2010; President of the Bank of North Dakota from 1993 – 2000
Other Positions: Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management and Trade – Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Conservation, Climate, Forestry and Natural Resources Ranking Member, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee – Committee on Appropriations
Featured Quote: Thank you to SDA & @SpaceX for inviting me out to @SLDelta45 for the launch of @SpaceX’s Transporter-2. The satellites are a key part of ensuring that the U.S. wins today’s race in space and an important aspect of our efforts to develop operations in #NorthDakota.
Featured Video: North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven at the border: “This has to stop RIGHT NOW”
(Fargo, ND) — If you’re wondering how some of North Dakota’s leaders would handle the situation in Afghanistan, one is speaking out on the issue.
Senator John Hoeven this week joined Senator John Cornyn in pressing President Biden to outline the administration’s plans following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
In the letter, Hoeven and his colleagues press the president for answers on several unanswered, urgent issues, including the administration’s plans to:
Evacuate Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants and other vulnerable Afghans;
Ensure that Al Qaida does not resurge and regain a foothold in Afghanistan;
Disable any air forces that operate under orders from the Taliban;
Counter China’s growing relationship with the Taliban;
Ensure that the Taliban does not destabilize neighboring Pakistan, and;
Ensure that Afghanistan, under Taliban occupation, will never acquire a nuclear weapon.
“The consequences of withdrawal from Afghanistan are not isolated to that country, or even to the Middle East region. The withdrawal carried geopolitical and strategic consequences that have already begun to unfold and will reverberate for decades. Dealing with these consequences means that we must take action now to chart the course for American strategy, while we manage the immediate repercussions of this self-inflicted crisis in Afghanistan. We do not have the luxury of time to sit by watching in resignation as the aftershocks of this crises shake the world,” the senators wrote.
On January 5, 2011, John Hoeven was sworn in as North Dakota’s 22nd U.S. Senator, following ten years of service as the state’s governor.
Senator Hoeven’s priorities in the Senate include working to implement national policies similar to the ones driving North Dakota’s economic success. He is committed to creating a business climate that fosters job growth and robust economic activity. Equally important to the senator are measures to reduce the nation’s budget deficits and debt. He believes a commonsense approach that fosters free enterprise and empowers people to innovate and invest will strengthen our national economy and create jobs for our country in a sustainable, ongoing way.
As a senator, Hoeven has been leading efforts to develop a comprehensive national energy plan similar to North Dakota’s EmPower North Dakota, a comprehensive plan that encourages an all-of-the-above approach to development and includes both traditional and renewable resources. Hoeven believes such an approach will lead to jobs, economic growth and true energy security for America. The senator’s work includes serving as the leading advocate for approving the Keystone XL pipeline and advancing measures that will eliminate outdated and unnecessary regulations that are prolonging the approval process and discouraging investment and innovation.
In addition, as a member of both the Agriculture Committee and the conference committee that negotiated the 2014 final farm bill, Hoeven played a crucial role in crafting and passing a long term farm bill that provides the nation’s producers with the certainty they need to plan for the future, as well as new tools to manage risk with enhanced crop insurance. The senator continues to work to make sure the farm bill is implemented in a timely and effective way.
Prior to his election to the Senate, Senator Hoeven served as governor of North Dakota for a decade. Under his leadership, the state expanded and diversified its economy and gained thousands of new jobs. North Dakota’s wages and personal income today continue to grow faster than the national average, and in recent years the state has led the nation in export growth. North Dakota regularly balances its budget, has set aside more strong reserves for the future, cut taxes, and invested in priorities like education, law enforcement and infrastructure.
As governor, Hoeven also placed a strong focus on developing North Dakota’s vast energy resources. Beginning in 2002, he initiated EmPower ND, a comprehensive energy plan for the state that includes all energy resources as well as a conservation component. Today, North Dakota stands as an energy powerhouse and one of the largest energy producing and exporting states in the nation. Currently, North Dakota produces more than one million barrels of oil a day and ranks as the second largest oil-producing state in the country.
Senator Hoeven was born in Bismarck. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College in 1979 and a master’s degree in business administration from Northwestern University in 1981. He served as executive vice president of First Western Bank in Minot from 1986 to 1993, and served on many civic, community, and economic development groups. From 1993-2000, he served as president and CEO of the Bank of North Dakota, which grew from $900 million to $1.6 billion under his leadership.
Hoeven and his wife Mical (Mikey) live in Bismarck. They have two children, Marcela and Jack, and six grandsons, Crew, Jaxen, Nash, Kip, Hart, and Rhett.
“Senator Hoeven” redirects here. For the Iowa state senate member, see Charles B. Hoeven.
John Henry Hoeven III (/ˈhoʊvən/HO-ven; born March 13, 1957) is an American banker and politician serving as the seniorU.S. senator from North Dakota since 2011. A Republican, he served as the 31stgovernor of North Dakota from 2000 to 2010. In 2010, Hoeven was elected to the U.S. Senate, succeeding Senator Byron Dorgan, who chose not to seek reelection. Hoeven became North Dakota’s senior senator in 2013 after Kent Conrad retired and was succeeded by Heidi Heitkamp, who was once Hoeven’s opponent for the governor’s office. Hoeven was reelected in 2016.
Before being elected governor, Hoeven was a banker who served in numerous executive roles at various banks, most notably as president of the nation’s only state-owned bank, the Bank of North Dakota, from 1993 to 2000.[1] He is on the board of directors at First Western Bank & Trust and has an estimated net worth of $45 million, making him one of the wealthiest U.S. senators.[2][3][4] He is the dean of North Dakota’s congressional delegation.
Early life, education, and early career
Hoeven was born in Bismarck, North Dakota, the son of Patricia “Trish” (née Chapman) and John Henry “Jack” Hoeven, Jr. His father owned a bank in Minot, North Dakota, where he worked as the president and chairman.[5] Hoeven’s ancestry is Dutch, Swedish, and English.[6]
Hoeven studied at Dartmouth College, which his father also attended. Hoeven belonged to the Alpha Chi Alpha fraternity and graduated with honors with a BA in 1979. While there, he played on the men’s golf team.[7]
From 1986 to 1993, Hoeven was executive vice president of First Western Bank & Trust, an institution his father bought in 1970.[9][10] At one time, he owned 39% of the bank’s parent company, Westbrand, Inc.[11] From 1993 to 2000, he was the president and CEO of the Bank of North Dakota, under governor Ed Schaefer.
On November 13, 2007, Hoeven announced his candidacy for a third term and kicked off his campaign with stops in Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck and Minot.[12] He was reelected with 74% of the vote over Democratic-NPL nominee Tim Mathern. It was the first time in North Dakota history that a governor won three four-year terms in office, though the record for serving is still maintained by Bill Guy, who served 12 years.
Tenure
Hoeven’s governorship included the expansion and diversification of the state’s economy, which led to a 49.5% increase in the state’s real gross domestic product.[13] Beginning in 2000, he directed the development of a multi-resource energy program for the state with incentives in each energy sector, making North Dakota one of the country’s largest energy-producing and exporting states. The state gained nearly 40,000 new jobs during his tenure. Wages and personal incomes grew faster than the national average. For a few years, the state led the nation in export growth. In late 2006, the state’s reserve rose past $600 million, and it is now over $700 million.[14]
In December 2009, Hoeven was the country’s most popular governor. His approval rating stood at 87% with only 10% disapproving.[15] In January 2007, Hoeven became the nation’s most senior governor, having been inaugurated on December 15, 2000, as established by the North Dakota Constitution.
U.S. Senate
On January 11, 2010, Hoeven announced he would run in the 2010 North Dakota Senate election for the seat being vacated by Byron Dorgan.[16] Hoeven defeated Democratic-NPL nominee Tracy Potter, 76% to 22%, making him the first Republican to represent North Dakota in the Senate since 1987.[17] Since 2013, Hoeven has been the dean of North Dakota’s congressional delegation. As of 2018, he was listed as one of the seven wealthiest U.S. senators.[18]
For his tenure as the chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in the 116th Congress, Hoeven earned an F grade from the nonpartisan Lugar Center’s Congressional Oversight Hearing Index.[19]
Hoeven was briefly a member of the Democratic-NPL Party before becoming active in the Republican Party as a district chair and volunteer.[20] He has walked a conservative line on some issues and a moderate one on others, including increasing education funding, ethics reform, compensation for teachers, as well as increased funding on infrastructure.[21] On August 10, 2021, Hoeven was one of 19 Senate Republicans to vote with the Democratic caucus in favor of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.[22]
Crime
Hoeven supports decreasing access to parole for offenders.[21] He believes that drug control policy should be a state issue, not a federal one.[23]
Hoeven believes that alternative fuels are a long-term solution but that increased oil drilling is required in the short term.[23] He has been a vocal advocate for the Keystone Pipeline, falsely asserting that it has never leaked and claiming that environmental risks have been exaggerated.[24][25] The Keystone Pipeline has in fact leaked twice, in 2010 and in 2016.[26]
In 2015, Hoeven submitted an amendment asserting that climate change is real and that humans are contributing to it but also that the Keystone Pipeline would not contribute to climate change.[27] His League of Conservation Voters score for 2018 was 7%.[28]
Gun policy
Hoeven consistently votes for pro-gun legislation and has earned an A+ rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA).[29] The NRA has endorsed him repeatedly, including during his campaigns for governor in 2008 and senator in 2010.[30][31]
In June 2016, Hoeven voted on four gun control proposals that were developed as a result of the Orlando nightclub shooting. He voted for Chuck Grassley‘s expansion of background checks and provision of funding to research the cause of mass shootings, and for John Cornyn‘s 72-hour wait period for purchases of guns by people on the terrorist watchlist. He voted against Chris Murphy‘s proposal to require background checks for every gun sale, including online sales and at gun shows, and against Dianne Feinstein‘s proposal to ban anyone on the terrorist watchlist from buying a gun.[32] Hoeven voted against the latter bill due to its lack of “judicial oversight or due process”.[33]
Hoeven supports investment tax credits for farm investments.[23]
Women’s issues
Hoeven identifies as pro-life, opposing abortion in all cases except for rape, incest, or threat to the mother’s life. He opposes government funding for elective abortions and supports the Hyde Amendment, which permits federal funding for abortion services only under the above stated exceptions.[21] Hoeven voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act in 2012.[21]
Current Position: US Senator since 2019 Affiliation: Republican Former Position(s): orth Dakota Public Service Commission from 2003 – 2012
Ranking Member, Seapower subcommittee – Senate Committee on Armed Services Ranking Member, Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee – Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
Featured Quote: President Biden allowing Nord Stream 2 to be completed is a slap in the face for U.S. energy producers and our NATO allies who are weary of giving Putin further control over Europe’s energy supply. @KFYRTV
Featured Video: Sen. Cramer Discusses Infrastructure, the January 6th Commission, and COVID-19 on Meet the Press
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – North Dakota’s energy and political leaders have been trying to position the state as an energy innovation leader for years. Thursday, the industry was given an opportunity to connect with a top executive with a globally recognized institution.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., hosted Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon as part of a new speaker series. While discussing the need for investment in North Dakota coal, Solomon said it won’t be the largest banks getting involved, but carbon capture opens the door for other large investment groups.
“Our job is to finance business and to help businesses progress. We believe there’s a transition going on. There are going to be places where reputationally we draw some lines. But broadly speaking, as you’re talking about, we going to be financing and working with oil companies, gas companies, fossil fuel companies for quite some time because they’re an important part of our economic engine,” said Solomon.
He added firms will be looking at coal investments on a project-by-project basis. According to the North Dakota Transmission Authority, coal generated power decreased by 3% from 2019-2020 in the state.
Current Position: US Senator since 2019 Affiliation: Republican Former Position(s): orth Dakota Public Service Commission from 2003 – 2012
Ranking Member, Seapower subcommittee – Senate Committee on Armed Services Ranking Member, Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee – Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
Featured Quote: President Biden allowing Nord Stream 2 to be completed is a slap in the face for U.S. energy producers and our NATO allies who are weary of giving Putin further control over Europe’s energy supply. @KFYRTV
Featured Video: Sen. Cramer Discusses Infrastructure, the January 6th Commission, and COVID-19 on Meet the Press
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – North Dakota’s energy and political leaders have been trying to position the state as an energy innovation leader for years. Thursday, the industry was given an opportunity to connect with a top executive with a globally recognized institution.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., hosted Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon as part of a new speaker series. While discussing the need for investment in North Dakota coal, Solomon said it won’t be the largest banks getting involved, but carbon capture opens the door for other large investment groups.
“Our job is to finance business and to help businesses progress. We believe there’s a transition going on. There are going to be places where reputationally we draw some lines. But broadly speaking, as you’re talking about, we going to be financing and working with oil companies, gas companies, fossil fuel companies for quite some time because they’re an important part of our economic engine,” said Solomon.
He added firms will be looking at coal investments on a project-by-project basis. According to the North Dakota Transmission Authority, coal generated power decreased by 3% from 2019-2020 in the state.
Kevin Cramer was elected to the United States Senate on November 6, 2018 after serving three terms as North Dakota’s At-Large Member of the United States House of Representatives. He is the first Republican to hold this Senate seat in his lifetime. He serves on the Armed Services, Environment and Public Works, Veterans Affairs, Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs and Budget Committees.
While a member of the House, Cramer made constituent outreach a top priority, describing interacting with the public as “the best part of public service.” According to Legistorm, the Capitol Hill government issues website, Cramer held more town halls than any other Member during several of his years in the House. Cramer has had a distinguished career in public service. In 2003, then-Governor John Hoeven appointed Cramer to the Public Service Commission, and in 2004 he was elected to the position. As a North Dakota Public Service Commissioner, Cramer helped oversee the most dynamic economy in the nation. He worked to ensure North Dakotans enjoy some of the lowest utility rates in the United States, enhancing their competitive position in the global marketplace. An energy policy expert, Cramer understands America’s energy security is integral to national and economic security.
A strong advocate for the free market system, Cramer has a proven record of cutting and balancing budgets encouraging the private sector through limited, common sense regulations and limited government. Cramer has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, a Master’s degree in Management from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, and was conferred the degree of Doctor of Leadership, honoris causa, by the University of Mary on May 4, 2013.
He is a native of Kindred, North Dakota, where he received his primary and secondary education. Kevin and his wife, Kris, have two adult sons, Isaac, who passed away in early 2018 and Ian; two adult daughters, Rachel and Annie; a teenage son, Abel; two granddaughters, Lyla and Willa; and three grandsons, Beau, Nico and Chet.
Cramer served as chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party from 1991 to 1993. At age 30, he was the youngest person to be named state party chairman.[3]
In May 1993, Republican governor Ed Schafer appointed Cramer state tourism director. Cramer was preceded by Jim Fuglie[5] and succeeded by Bob Martinson.[6] He served in the position until he was appointed Economic Development Director in June 1997. Cramer was preceded by Chuck Stroup[7] and succeeded by Lee Peterson in December 2000 as the director.[8][9]
Following his stint as director of economic development, Cramer became director of the Harold Schafer Leadership Foundation in 2000. He served in the position until 2003.[9]
North Dakota Public Service Commission (2003–2012)
In 2003, Governor John Hoeven appointed Cramer to the Public Service Commission.[10] He was elected to a six-year term on the Public Service Commission in 2004, defeating NPL nominee Ron Gumeringer, 65–35%.[11]
In 2010, Cramer was reelected to a second term on the Public Service Commission, defeating Democratic nominee Brad Crabtree 61–35%.[12] He served on the commission until 2012.[13]
U.S. House of Representatives (2013–2019)
Cramer’s first official portrait during the 113th Congress
In 1998, Cramer challenged Pomeroy again. Pomeroy won, 56%–41%.[15]
2010
On January 14, Cramer announced that he would run for North Dakota’s seat in the United States House of Representatives for a third time in the 2010 election.[16] In early 2010, he appeared at North Dakota town hall meetings, where he opposed the Affordable Care Act.[17] Cramer attended numerous Tea Party rallies in North Dakota, speaking about energy, taxes, jobs and the U.S. Constitution.[18][better source needed] At the state Republican Party convention in March 2010, former House Majority Leader Rick Berg won the Republican congressional nomination; Berg was elected to Congress in November.[19]
In the November 2012 general election Cramer defeated Democratic-NPL State Representative Pam Gulleson, with 173,585 votes (55%) to Gulleson’s 131,870 (42%). Libertarian Party candidate Eric Olson received about 3% of the vote.[22] He was sworn in on January 3, 2013.[23]
In 2014 Cramer ran for reelection and was unopposed in the Republican primary.[24] He won the general election with 55% of the vote, defeating Democratic-NPL nominee George B. Sinner, who received 38%. Libertarian candidate Jack Seaman received slightly under 6%.[25]
In 2016 Cramer ran for a third term in Congress. He was unopposed in the primary[26] and defeated Democratic-NPL nominee Chase Iron Eyes, a Native American activist, in the general election with 69% of the vote.[27][28]
Cramer opposes abortion. He is a critic of Planned Parenthood and has called for cutting off public funding of the group.[29][30] In 2013 Cramer condemned the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade and tied an uptick in mass shootings to the legalization of abortion and a decline in religious values.[31] This remark was criticized by the director of the North Dakota Democratic Party and in Cosmopolitan. Cramer said, “I was asked recently by a reporter if I am afraid that some people would attack me if I speak like this. And I said, ‘No, I am not afraid they will, I am quite certain they will.’”[32][33] In the same speech, Cramer said of U.S. society: “We have normalized perversion and perverted God’s natural law.”[31]
Donald Trump
Cramer was “one of a handful of early Trump endorsers” among U.S. House Republicans.[34]
Cramer supported Trump’s 2017 executive order banning entry to the U.S. by citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, saying, “I think what Donald Trump is doing is he’s pulling America’s head out of the sand and facing the reality that we have not been kept very safe by current immigration and refugee policies.”[35] He has been described as one of Trump’s allies in Congress and pledged to be with Trump “100 percent of the time”.[36]
In February 2017, during Trump’s first address to a joint session of Congress, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and a number of other female Democratic members of Congress wore white in protest of Trump. Cramer mocked the protest, saying Pelosi dressed “poorly” and remarking, “It is a syndrome. There is no question, there is a disease associated with the notion that a bunch of women would wear bad-looking white pantsuits in solidarity with Hillary Clinton to celebrate her loss. You cannot get that weird.”[37]
In June 2020, Cramer blocked bipartisan legislation to sanction China over its actions to undermine Hong Kong’s independence—legislation he had co-sponsored—because the Trump administration requested that he do so.[38]
Cramer supports cuts in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly the Food Stamp Program), and attracted controversy in 2013 when he cited a biblical quotation several times in support of Republicans’ efforts to cut $40 billion from the program over ten years.[46][47]
Gun policy
Cramer said that gun control would not have prevented the Orlando nightclub shooting.[48] In 2016 he criticized proposed gun control legislation, saying, “The problem isn’t the U.S. Constitution. The problem is Islamic terrorism.”[49]
Health care
Cramer opposes the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) and voted to repeal it without a replacement five times.[50][51][52] He has voted against health insurance protections for patients with preexisting conditions and against the expansion of Medicaid.[52] Cramer has said that the American Health Care Act of 2017, the Republican bill he supported to repeal and replace Obamacare, would have prevented “price discrimination” against people with preexisting conditions; The Washington Post fact-checker called this assertion false.[53]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cramer introduced legislation to ban vaccine and mask mandates.[54] He opposed adding unruly passengers to the “no-fly” list, saying that unruly passengers who refuse to comply with mask requirements are not the same as terrorists.[55]
In 2018, Cramer called both Anita Hill‘s sexual harassment allegation against Clarence Thomas and Christine Blasey Ford‘s sexual assault allegation against Brett Kavanaugh “absurd”. He called Ford’s allegation “even more absurd” than Hill’s because the sexual assault that Ford described “never went anywhere” and because both Kavanaugh and Ford were intoxicated teenagers.[60] Cramer questioned whether Ford’s allegation would disqualify Kavanaugh from the Supreme Court even if true, but said that if Kavanaugh were found to have lied in denying the allegation, that would be disqualifying.[61]
Taxes
Cramer has voted to repeal the estate tax, which imposes a tax after the first several million dollars on a dead person’s estate.[62] He supports Trump’s 25% tax on many types of imports, which may have decreased sales for North Dakota’s soybean industry in 2018, but has said he believes the long-term benefits of a trade war are worth it.[63][64]
Violence Against Women Act
In 2013, at a forum on the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Cramer engaged in “a testy exchange with Native American victim assistance leaders.”[65][66] He later issued a statement apologizing for his “tone and rhetoric” during the exchange.[65] Cramer voted to reauthorize VAWA,[67] but opposed language in the act that would allow tribal courts to prosecute non-Natives “for abusing or assaulting Native American women on Indian land.”[68] Cramer asked, “How could a non-Native man get a fair trial on a reservation?”[68] and questioned the provision’s constitutionality. He voted for an amendment to repeal it.[67]
On January 11, 2018, after months of speculation, Cramer announced[72] that he would not seek the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate to run against Democratic-NPL incumbent Heidi Heitkamp and would instead run for reelection to the U.S. House.[73] On February 15, he announced that he had changed his mind and would run for the Senate.[74] Odney advertising firm president Pat Finken served as Cramer’s campaign manager.[75] On April 7,[76] Cramer won the North Dakota Republican Party‘s endorsement. Three days later, his campaign announced it had raised $1.35 million in the first quarter of 2018, most of it in late February and March.[77]
In June 2018, The Washington Post reported that Cramer had contacted the White House to seek political help in his Senate campaign and was upset that Trump had not publicly criticized Heitkamp in the same way that he had criticized other Democrats.[78] Cramer later publicly criticized White House staff and argued that Trump was refraining because Heitkamp was a woman.[78] Trump scheduled a trip to North Dakota that month to campaign for Cramer, a trip that Politico reported “could go a long way toward extinguishing tensions between the White House and the Senate hopeful.”[79]
During his 2018 campaign, Cramer sought and received the support of the Public Advocate of the United States, an anti-LGBT group that advocates conversion therapy and ties homosexuality to pedophilia.[59] In an eight-question survey for the group, Cramer said he would oppose “‘Transgender Bathrooms’ legislation and regulations—which have the effect of encouraging and protecting pedophiles”.[59] He also agreed with the organization that “public schools should be ‘prevented from brainwashing elementary school children with the Homosexual Agenda.’”[59] Cramer supported requiring schools to teach that there are only two genders and granting Christian businesses the right to not service same-sex weddings.[59] A spokesman for him said: “Let’s be clear. Congressman Cramer doesn’t support the teaching of history with any special emphasis on any particular group. History is history and should be taught as such. Additionally, Kevin does not think transgender people are at all comparable to pedophiles—this a gross misinterpretation of the survey question.”[59]
Cramer won the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate on June 12, 2018.[80] The next month, a spokesperson for the political network organized by the Koch brothers announced that they would not financially support Cramer’s campaign because the brothers viewed him as insufficiently supportive of free trade and fiscal conservatism, and because they felt he held other views inconsistent with theirs.[81]
In the November 6 general election, Cramer defeated Heitkamp[82] with 55% of the vote to Heitkamp’s 45%.[83]
Tenure
In July 2019, Cramer said he favored lawsuits seeking to overturn Obamacare.[84] The same year, he held up the confirmation of a White House budget official in order to get the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to release sensitive documents about border wall construction.[85] Cramer had pushed the Army Corps to use a North Dakota firm run by his 2018 campaign donor Tommy Fisher. Fisher donated $10,000 to Cramer’s campaign and was also Cramer’s guest at the 2018 State of the Union Address, where he shook Trump’s hand.[86][87] In December 2019, Fisher Industries and the Fisher Sand and Gravel subsidiary, run by a Trump donor, were awarded the $400 million contract.[88] Fisher Sand & Gravel had been previously fined $1.16 million for violating tax laws,[89] and racked up 1,300 air-quality violations and over $625,000 in fines.[90]
In October 2019, Cramer defended Trump’s decision to host the G7 conference at the Trump National Doral Miami, a resort Trump owns. Cramer said, “I don’t have any concerns about it other than just politically how it appears”, and praised Trump for the “tremendous integrity in his boldness and his transparency” in deciding to select his own property for the summit.[91] Lack of support from Trump’s Republican allies who were weary of defending him led Trump to quickly abandon his plans, as customary congressional support withered.[92][93]
On March 24, 2020, Cramer tweeted that House SpeakerNancy Pelosi was “retarded.” He later deleted the tweet and apologized, saying he had intended to write “ridiculous”,[97][98] blaming autocorrect and his “fat fingers”.[99][100]
After Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election and Trump refused to concede and made numerous baseless claims of fraud, Cramer at first defended Trump[101] but later said “the election was not stolen” and that he had “moved on a long time ago”.[102][103]
Cramer and his wife Kris had five children together[105] and five grandchildren as of 2018.[106] Their son Isaac died in 2018 due to complications of alcohol addiction. They had earlier adopted Isaac’s son from a previous relationship, whose mother had been killed by her abusive husband.[107]
Cramer co-chairs the Roughrider Honor Flight program. This program gives World War II veterans the chance to visit the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C.[108]
Electoral history
Republican primary results, North Dakota, 2012[21]
^“Committees and Caucuses”. cramer.house.gov. Office of U.S. Representative Kevin Cramer. December 13, 2012. Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
^“Members”. Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
^“Members”. Congressional Western Caucus. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
^“North Dakota Executive Sentenced to Prison for Tax Fraud”. justice.gov. United States Department of Justice. December 14, 2009. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2020. The agreement requires FSG to pay a total of $1.16 million in restitution, penalties and fines, implement measures to prevent future fraud at the company and cooperate with the IRS in audits of its tax returns.
Current Position: US Representative since 2019 Affiliation: Republican Former Position(s): State Senator from 2012 – 2018
Featured Quote: The White House is on a censorship mission – pressuring private companies to undermine free speech they don’t agree with. We’re demanding they stop.
Featured Video: Face The Nation: Kelly Armstrong, Turley, Wehle, Reid
WASHINGTON, D.C. — North Dakota Republican Congressman Kelly Armstrong has been picked to serve on the new select committee to investigate the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol.
He was picked along with four others by House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy.
An official announcement is expected soon.
Associated Press says McCarthy selected Indiana congressman Jim Banks to be the top Republican on the panel.
McCarthy also tapped Ohio’s Jim Jordan, Illinois’ Rodney Davis, and Texas’ Troy Nehls.
McCarthy’s picks were confirmed by a Republican familiar with the decision and an aide to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the official announcement.
Current Position: US Representative since 2019 Affiliation: Republican Former Position(s): State Senator from 2012 – 2018
Featured Quote: The White House is on a censorship mission – pressuring private companies to undermine free speech they don’t agree with. We’re demanding they stop.
Featured Video: Face The Nation: Kelly Armstrong, Turley, Wehle, Reid
WASHINGTON, D.C. — North Dakota Republican Congressman Kelly Armstrong has been picked to serve on the new select committee to investigate the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol.
He was picked along with four others by House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy.
An official announcement is expected soon.
Associated Press says McCarthy selected Indiana congressman Jim Banks to be the top Republican on the panel.
McCarthy also tapped Ohio’s Jim Jordan, Illinois’ Rodney Davis, and Texas’ Troy Nehls.
McCarthy’s picks were confirmed by a Republican familiar with the decision and an aide to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the official announcement.
Congressman Kelly Armstrong is a lifelong, devoted North Dakotan and a tireless advocate for making North Dakota a better place to live and work. With his background in business, his love for the outdoors and his volunteer and public service experience, Kelly is fighting for our North Dakota values in Washington and working to advance positive changes to benefit our state and country.
Early Years
Kelly’s childhood in Dickinson, North Dakota, inspired in him a passion for the outdoors. In the summers, he could be found on Lake Sakakawea and during the fall he was bow hunting in the badlands.
After graduating from Dickinson High School in 1995, Kelly attended the University of North Dakota but continued to grow his roots in Dickinson, returning home in the summers to coach the Dickinson Roughriders American Legion baseball team. Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree from UND in 2001 and a law degree from UND law school in 2003.
It was at UND law school where Kelly met the love of his life, Kjersti. She was part of a law school exchange program with her university in Norway. They married in 2004 and spent the early years of their marriage in Grand Forks, where Kelly began his law career while Kjersti finished her degree.
Kelly and Kjersti later moved back home to Dickinson, and Kelly opened a second office of the law firm. While practicing law, Kelly became known as someone who worked tirelessly for his clients and gained the respect of his counterparts, the judiciary and law enforcement.
Back home in Dickinson, Kelly and Kjersti started their family. Anna was born in 2007 and Eli in 2010.
In 2011, Kelly joined his family’s business, Armstrong Corporation, where he served as vice president. Founded in 1975, this small family business expanded over time to include oil and gas exploration, agricultural operations and investments in local businesses and striving entrepreneurs. The Armstrong family’s commitment to their community was officially recognized with the Roughrider Award (not the big one… there isn’t a painting of the Armstrongs hanging in the North Dakota Capitol) in 2013 for their initiative to employ and provide opportunities for veterans returning from deployment overseas.
Commitment to Community
Kelly’s commitment to family and community is evident in everything he does. A recipient of the North Dakota Bar Association’s Community Service Award, Kelly served as a volunteer fireman for the Dickinson Fire Department from 2005 through 2012, coached girls’ softball and boys’ baseball and is active in charitable works for many local organizations, including his local hospital, university, police association, volunteer fire department, best friends mentoring program, domestic violence rape crisis center, and the Teddy Roosevelt Bully Pulpit Board. He also served as President of the Dickinson Baseball club for ten years and was elected to the North Dakota Dickinson Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017.
Kelly grew his service to the community in 2012, when he was elected to the North Dakota State Senate for District 36. Chairing multiple committees during his service, Kelly spearheaded DUI reform legislation, a $2 billion statewide infrastructure investment and solving the lakebed mineral crisis.
Kelly was elected Chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party in 2015 after seeing firsthand the need for decisive and effective leadership of the party. Kelly led the state party in 2016 to landslide victories for President Donald Trump, Gov. Doug Burgum and North Dakota legislative majorities.
Congressional Service
Washington needs our North Dakota values now more than ever, and no one embodies them more than Kelly. The real changes in Washington are just beginning, and Kelly’s commitment, energy and drive will keep pushing those positive changes forward.
North Dakota’s agricultural and energy industries provide the country and the world with food, oil, gas and electricity. In Congress, Kelly works to protect the livelihood of farmers and ranchers, unleash North Dakota’s full energy potential and ensure North Dakota has a strong voice.
Kelly serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee for the 117th Congress. Kelly was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives representing the entire state of North Dakota in 2018.
Congressman Armstrong is a member of several bipartisan congressional caucuses, which are voluntary groups created by House members to pursue common legislative objectives. Caucuses often promote and educate other House members about the particular topic on which the caucus was formed. To view a full list of congressional caucuses, please visit the House Administration Committee’s website here.
Friends of Norway Caucus – Co-Chair
The bipartisan Friends of Norway Caucus works to strengthen the relationship and open dialogue between the United States and Norway on a variety of issues that have both bilateral and global impacts. More than 30 percent of North Dakotans, nearly 200,000 people, have Norwegian ancestry, more than any other state per capita. Only California, Wisconsin, and Minnesota are home to more Norwegian Americans than North Dakota. Congressman Armstrong is a co-chair of this caucus.
Fire Services Caucus
As a volunteer firefighter from 2005 to 2012, Congressman Armstrong knows the sacrifice and hard work it takes to be a firefighter. That’s why he has joined the Fire Services Caucus. Established in 1987, the Fire Services Caucus was created to educate members of Congress about fire and life safety issues. Since then, it remains a bipartisan coalition where Republicans and Democrats work together in recognizing the valor and dedication of the American fire service. The caucus is about respect and admiration for our nation’s first responders. It provides a forum for members of Congress to learn more about the fire service and the issues and challenges facing our one million firefighters and emergency services personnel.
Firefighters have a proud tradition of protecting communities across our nation. They are the first to respond when disasters strike. In many instances, they are the pillars of our communities. In addition to their official duties, they are involved in community activities including local blood drives, Fourth of July celebrations, civic events and charitable campaigns.
Air Force Caucus
The bipartisan Air Force Caucus highlights the critical importance of the United States Air Force in keeping Americans safe at home and abroad. Air Force Caucus members hold meetings, briefings, and other events detailing the successes of the Air Force enterprise and the challenges our country’s airmen face while operating in the complex warfighting domains of air, space and cyberspace.
Coal Caucus
The bipartisan Coal Caucus is dedicated to discussing issues related to the coal industry and educating other members on the subject. The Caucus holds both member and staff meetings with administration officials, industry experts, and others to update members on the status of the coal industry and to discuss the policies affecting it. The caucus also discusses the future of coal, both in the United States and globally, and the various innovative technologies that will decrease the industry’s environmental impact.
Rural Broadband Caucus
The Rural Broadband Caucus educates its bipartisan roster of members and staff on issues relevant to broadband deployment and access. According to the 2018 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Broadband Report, 24 million Americans lack access to advanced fixed broadband, and nearly one-third of rural Americans lack access to mobile broadband. Rural communities must have adequate broadband infrastructure to attract and retain businesses and human resources, close the homework gap for students and teachers, open innovative and convenient pathways to telemedicine for seniors and providers, and help farmers increase efficiencies in their barns and on their land.
Northern Border Caucus
The Northern Border Caucus is for members who represent districts (or states) that are on or near the U.S.-Canadian border. The bipartisan caucus focuses on policy concerns affecting the economic, cultural, and political partnership between the two countries.
National Guard and Reserve Caucus
The National Guard and Reserve Caucus pursues legislative and policy initiatives that ensure the National Guard and Reserve components have strong representation on policy, procurement, force structure and utilization within the Department of Defense. The caucus is also committed to improving employment and education opportunities for National Guard and Reserve personnel returning from overseas deployments.
Caucus on Youth Sports
The Caucus on Youth Sports is a bipartisan group that aims to bring fun, recreation, and character development back to the forefront of youth sports; combat childhood obesity and promote fitness, nutrition and overall healthy lifestyles among our nation’s youth; and support and strengthen the efforts of national and local organizations working tirelessly to improve the state of youth sports in our country for the 44 million American children who participate.
Sportsmen’s Caucus
The Sportsmen’s Caucus works to protect the interests of America’s sportsmen and women and advance sound wildlife management policy. Prompted by the increasing frequency and alarming success of attacks on hunting, fishing, and the shooting sports, the caucus was founded in 1989 to protect the interests of America’s sportsmen and women. Today, the caucus is one of the largest caucuses in Congress with nearly 300 members and nearly all 50 states represented in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.
Congressional Cooperative Business Caucus
The Congressional Cooperative Business Caucus creates a venue for elected officials like myself to better understand the important role that cooperatives play in the development of our national and international economy. The bipartisan caucus facilitates briefings to promote greater awareness and understanding of cooperative business issues. The caucus is also a forum for Members of Congress to share best practices and work to improve the effectiveness of policy to benefit and promote the cooperative business model nationally and internationally.
Congressional Crop Insurance Caucus
The Congressional Crop Insurance Caucus is dedicated to educating Members of Congress and their staff about the importance of the federal crop insurance program administered by USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA). The caucus works with stakeholders to organize educational briefings in order to help Members and staff better understand the program and remain apprised of current crop insurance issues.
Congressional Western Caucus
The Congressional Western Caucus is a bipartisan coalition of nearly 70 Members of Congress from 35 different states and territories who advocate for rural, western, and resource-based communities.
Congressional General Aviation Caucus
One of the largest, most active caucuses in Congress is dedicated to general aviation. The purpose of the caucus is to inform Members of Congress and their staffs about the importance of general aviation to our economy and transportation system. The General Aviation Caucus is open to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate regardless of party affiliation and committee assignments.
In February 2018, Armstrong announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives.[6] He was endorsed by the North Dakota Republican Party at its state party convention in April 2018.[7] Armstrong won the November 6 election with 60.2% of the vote.[8] He resigned his seat in the North Dakota Legislature on November 7 and took office in Congress in January 2019, replacing Kevin Cramer, who was elected to the United States Senate.
Armstrong ran for reelection and won on November 3, with 68.96% of the vote.[9]
Tenure
Armstrong was one of seven Republicans who did not support their colleagues’ efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election on January 6, 2021. These seven signed a letter that, while giving credence to election fraud allegations made by President Donald Trump, said Congress did not have the authority to influence the election’s outcome.[10]
The Energy and Commerce Committee has wide jurisdiction over critical issues including healthcare, telecommunications, technology, consumer safety, environment, food and drug safety, energy, and interstate and foreign commerce. Established in 1795, the committee is the oldest continuous standing committee in the House of Representatives.
Congressman Armstrong currently serves on two subcommittees of the Energy and Commerce Committee:
Subcommittee on Energy
Subcommittee on Consumer Protection & Commerce
To visit the Energy and Commerce Committee’s website, please click here.
Federal & state elections on the ballot: US Senator, US House member, and State Senate and House members
Ballot measures: Require Initiated Constitutional Amendments to be Approved by the Legislature or Passed Twice Amendment (SCR 4001) and Amendment Changing the Membership and Terms of the Board of Higher Education (SCR 4016)
The North Dakota Elections, part of the Secretary of State, oversees all North Dakota elections.
Summary
Federal & state elections on the ballot: US Senator, US House member, and State Senate and House members
Ballot measures: Require Initiated Constitutional Amendments to be Approved by the Legislature or Passed Twice Amendment (SCR 4001) and Amendment Changing the Membership and Terms of the Board of Higher Education (SCR 4016)
The North Dakota Elections, part of the Secretary of State, oversees all North Dakota elections.
About
Contact
Locations
Secretary of State 600 E Boulevard Avenue Dept 108 Bismarck ND 58505-0500 Phone: 800-352-0867 Fax: 701-328-2992
North Dakota does not have voter registration, but to be eligible to vote you must:
be at least 18 years old on the day of election
be a resident of North Dakota
reside in the precinct for 30 days preceding Election Day
be able to provide a drivers license, non-driver identification card or other approved form of identification
How to register
North Dakota does not have voter registration.
Election Day registration North Dakota does not have voter registration. You simply need to bring valid proof of ID and residency to the polls in order to vote.
Voting Rights restoration
If you have been convicted of a felony and have questions about whether you can register to vote, visit Restore Your Vote to determine your eligibility.
You are a Military or Overseas voter if you are in uniformed services, living overseas OR a spouse or dependent of a uniformed services voter. To get registered and vote, you can utilize Overseas Vote Foundation.
If you have additional questions about elections and voting overseas you can use our state specific elections official directory or contact the Overseas Vote Foundation.
Voting with Disabilities
f you are a disabled voter you may be accompanied by, and receive assistance from, another person of your choice in the voting booth, unless the person is an employer, officer or agent of your union, a candidate running in that election, or a relative of a candidate.
The polling place building should have several routes through it, and sufficient signs should be in place to direct you to the most accessible route to the polling location.
Early voting is available and no excuse is required. Please check with local county election officials for specific dates and times.
Vote by Mail (Absentee)
Absentee ballot rules
Any North Dakota resident may apply for an absentee ballot and vote by mail.
How to get Absentee ballot
Use our Absentee Ballot form below to prepare your application.
Sign and date the form. This is very important!
Return your completed application to your Local Election Office as soon as possible. We’ll provide the mailing address for you.
All Local Election Offices will accept mailed or hand-delivered forms. If it’s close to the deadline, call and see if your Local Election Office will let you fax or email the application.
Make sure your application is received by the deadline. Your application must actually arrive by this time — simply being postmarked by the deadline is insufficient.
Please contact your Local Election Office if you have any further questions about the exact process.
What to do next
Once you receive the ballot, carefully read and follow the instructions.
Sign and date where indicated.
Mail your voted ballot back to the address indicated on the return envelope.
Your voted ballot must arrive by the deadline or it will not be counted.
Absentee ballot application deadline
In Person:
By Mail: No specific deadline. We recommend requesting your ballot at least 7 days before Election Day.
Absentee ballot submission deadline
Postmarked 1 day before Election Day and received 5 days after Election Day.
Absentee Ballot (form)
Elections Alert (Form)
Pollling Information
Polling Place Locator
You can find your polling place by utilizing your state resource.
If you have further questions on your polling place location, please contact your county clerk.
Polling Place Hours
Most polls are open 7am- 7pm. Some polls may open earlier or close later. It is best to check with your local county election officials before Election Day.
Poll Worker Information
In order to be a poll worker in North Dakota, you must:
Be registered to vote in North Dakota
Be at least 18 years of age
Political affiliation required
Be entitled to compensation
Be a resident of the precinct for the 30 days prior to the election
Complete required training
Students 16 or 17 years old who meet all other voter requirements may be appointed if they are students in good standing at a North Dakota high school
Have basic computer skills, and be able to proofread materials, printed or on a screen, for accuracy
Secretary of State Al Jaeger was elected North Dakota’s fourteenth Secretary of State in 1992 and was reelected in 1996, 2000, 2004 (two-year term), 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018.
He serves on the North Dakota Emergency Commission, the Board of the North Dakota State Historical Society, and the North Dakota Board of University and School Lands.
Since becoming Secretary of State on January 1, 1993, Jaeger has been an active participant in the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS). He has served ten terms on its Executive Committee and in July 2019, he was appointed to his 24th consecutive term as Chairman of the NASS Standing Committee on Awards.
Jaeger was born in Beulah, ND in 1943. Raised in Beulah, he graduated from its high school in 1961. He attended Bismarck State College and in 1963 earned an Associate of Arts degree. In 1966, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from Dickinson State University majoring in Business Education with a minor in Speech. He also took post-graduate courses at the University of North Dakota in 1968 and Montana State University in 1970. Jaeger was chosen by the Bismarck State College National Alumni Association as the recipient of the 2009 BSC Alumnus of the Year Award. In 2011, he was named by Dickinson State University as an Alumni Fellow for the Department of Business and Management.
During his high school and college years, Jaeger worked for his father’s excavating and ready-mix concrete company. He taught at Killdeer (ND) High School for three years (1966-1969) and for two years (1969-1971) at Kenmare (ND) High School. For two years (1971-1973), Jaeger worked as a marketing analyst in Fargo, ND, for the Mobil Oil Corporation. From 1973 to 1992, he was self-employed in Fargo as a real estate broker and owned his own real estate brokerage business.
He served in the North Dakota Army National Guard (1966-1972). Jaeger was an active member of Jaycee chapters in Killdeer, Kenmare, and Fargo where he was Secretary and Vice President. Before moving to Bismarck in 1993, he was an eighteen-year member of the Fargo Rough Riders Kiwanis Club where he served a term as President and several terms as club Secretary. Jaeger is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Bismarck and was its President for 2007-2008. He has been a Kiwanian for over 45 years. In Fargo, Jaeger belonged to Hope Lutheran Church and served a term as a council member, foundation board member, and for eighteen years as head usher. Now, a member of Charity Lutheran Church, Bismarck, he serves on several ministry teams.
Jaeger’s wife, Kathy, died November 24, 2016. They have three adult children.
Although not actively practicing after his election in 1992, Jaeger maintained his North Dakota real estate broker’s license until 2018 and is an Emeritus member in the Fargo-Moorhead Area Association of REALTORS and the North Dakota Association of REALTORS. He was an officer and a member of committees pertaining to education, professional standards, by-laws, and the multiple listing service. Along with holding two professional REALTOR designations (GRI and CIS), he was named REALTOR of the Year in 1980 for the Fargo-Moorhead Area Association of Realtors (FMAAR) and was a nominee for North Dakota REALTOR of the Year. In 1997, FMAAR presented him with a Distinguished Service Award.
One could say this has been a strange time for the North Dakota Legislature.
Lawmakers have had to deal with COVID protocols, two large federal tranches of COVID relief money, and the upcoming redistricting session.
“With COVID-19 protocols, nothing surprises me any more,” said House Majority Leader Chet Pollert (R-Carrington). “We just have to continue marching forward.”
Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner (R-Dickinson) said lawmakers have lived it, and made it.
“Things have really gone well for us,” Wardner said.
Wardner said the Legislature was able to allow remote participation by legislators, as well as remote testimony from citizens. And Wardner said people can now tune into committee meetings, as well as House and Senate floor sessions, and see what’s going on.
“It’s quite a transformation,” Wardner said. “I’m really proud of our state.”
Wardner also gave kudos to his fellow legislators.
“They’re tough people,” Wardner said. “They work hard.”
House Minority Leader Josh Boschee said it has been odd.
“It has been a full-time session for us since February, 2020, when we started preparing for the pandemic,” Boschee said. “I’m hopeful for the middle of November, that we all get to go home and hopefully have a rest.”
The special session begins Nov. 8th. On the agenda: redistricting, and how to spend the $1 billion in the latest federal COVID relief package. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees have been meeting to go through the requests for funding from the federal ARPA money. The committees will meet next week to determine what will make the cut for the special session, and what items will have to wait for the next session.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Republican-controlled legislative committee on Wednesday began floating ideas for new North Dakota legislative districts, with little option than to shift the political balance of power to the state’s urban areas for the next decade.
The Legislature must draw new political boundaries based on the 2020 census to make sure every lawmaker is representing about the same number of people.
“What we’re doing here is not rocket science — it really is just arithmetic,” said Grand Forks GOP Sen. Ray Holmberg, who is serving on his fifth redistricting panel. His first was in 1981.
The panel of 14 Republicans and two Democrats met Wednesday in Fargo for its second meeting. It’s the only meeting that will be held outside of Bismarck. A third meeting is scheduled next week.
Dem-NPL leaders from across North Dakota elected Patrick Hart to serve as the new State Party Chair on Saturday.
Hart is a small business owner living in Bismarck. He previously served as the Dem-NPL Vice Chair.
Vice Chair Kari Breker, DNC Committeeman Adam Goldwyn, Treasurer Tracey Wilkie, and Secretary Birgit Pruess were also elected.
“Together, we’ll fight for the North Dakotans that build our state. From the teachers, well technicians, farmers, and more, I am excited to build this party around you and your families’ needs,” said Hart.
One could say this has been a strange time for the North Dakota Legislature.
Lawmakers have had to deal with COVID protocols, two large federal tranches of COVID relief money, and the upcoming redistricting session.
“With COVID-19 protocols, nothing surprises me any more,” said House Majority Leader Chet Pollert (R-Carrington). “We just have to continue marching forward.”
Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner (R-Dickinson) said lawmakers have lived it, and made it.
“Things have really gone well for us,” Wardner said.
Wardner said the Legislature was able to allow remote participation by legislators, as well as remote testimony from citizens. And Wardner said people can now tune into committee meetings, as well as House and Senate floor sessions, and see what’s going on.
“It’s quite a transformation,” Wardner said. “I’m really proud of our state.”
Wardner also gave kudos to his fellow legislators.
“They’re tough people,” Wardner said. “They work hard.”
House Minority Leader Josh Boschee said it has been odd.
“It has been a full-time session for us since February, 2020, when we started preparing for the pandemic,” Boschee said. “I’m hopeful for the middle of November, that we all get to go home and hopefully have a rest.”
The special session begins Nov. 8th. On the agenda: redistricting, and how to spend the $1 billion in the latest federal COVID relief package. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees have been meeting to go through the requests for funding from the federal ARPA money. The committees will meet next week to determine what will make the cut for the special session, and what items will have to wait for the next session.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Republican-controlled legislative committee on Wednesday began floating ideas for new North Dakota legislative districts, with little option than to shift the political balance of power to the state’s urban areas for the next decade.
The Legislature must draw new political boundaries based on the 2020 census to make sure every lawmaker is representing about the same number of people.
“What we’re doing here is not rocket science — it really is just arithmetic,” said Grand Forks GOP Sen. Ray Holmberg, who is serving on his fifth redistricting panel. His first was in 1981.
The panel of 14 Republicans and two Democrats met Wednesday in Fargo for its second meeting. It’s the only meeting that will be held outside of Bismarck. A third meeting is scheduled next week.
Dem-NPL leaders from across North Dakota elected Patrick Hart to serve as the new State Party Chair on Saturday.
Hart is a small business owner living in Bismarck. He previously served as the Dem-NPL Vice Chair.
Vice Chair Kari Breker, DNC Committeeman Adam Goldwyn, Treasurer Tracey Wilkie, and Secretary Birgit Pruess were also elected.
“Together, we’ll fight for the North Dakotans that build our state. From the teachers, well technicians, farmers, and more, I am excited to build this party around you and your families’ needs,” said Hart.
The death toll has risen to 1,703. The state health department has confirmed five more deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the statewide death toll to 1,703.
Deaths are reported to the state health department by facilities or by official death record, and can take up to ten days to be confirmed.
According to the state health department’s coronavirus dashboard, 543 individuals from 45 counties have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the new statewide positive total to 142,985.
These results were from a pool of 9,887 tests for a daily positive rate of 5.89 percent.
217 of those positives were PCR tests, and 326 were antigen tests.
2,605,963 total tests have been administered for the novel coronavirus. 522,171 unique individuals have been tested.
189 people are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19.
Since yesterday 481 individuals have been confirmed as recovered, bringing the recovered total to 138,253. This leaves 3,565 active confirmed cases.
According to the state health department’s coronavirus dashboard, 656 individuals from 45 counties have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the new statewide positive total to 132,808.
These results were from a pool of 8,868 tests for a daily positive rate of 8.02 percent.
282 of those positives were PCR tests, and 374 were antigen tests.
2,453,272 total tests have been administered for the novel coronavirus. 504,884 unique individuals have been tested.
161 people are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19.
Since yesterday 699 individuals have been confirmed as recovered, bringing the recovered total to 126,863. This leaves 4,334 active confirmed cases.
The North Dakota Department of Health reported four new deaths related to COVID-19 Thursday, and the state’s active case count is nearing 3,000, a number not seen since December.
The deaths bring the state’s pandemic toll to 1,571. The Health Department no longer publicly reports the county, sex and age range of newly confirmed virus-related deaths but the number of Burleigh County deaths increased by three for a total of 207. Morton County stayed unchanged at 102.
The Health Department also reported 617 new COVID-19 cases from 10,138 new tests, bring the state’s total case count to 2,946 cases. The last time active cases were that high was in December, at the end of North Dakota’s winter surge. Thursday’s positivity rate was 6.32%, and the state’s 14-day positivity rate was 6.55%.
The death toll has risen to 1,703. The state health department has confirmed five more deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the statewide death toll to 1,703.
Deaths are reported to the state health department by facilities or by official death record, and can take up to ten days to be confirmed.
According to the state health department’s coronavirus dashboard, 543 individuals from 45 counties have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the new statewide positive total to 142,985.
These results were from a pool of 9,887 tests for a daily positive rate of 5.89 percent.
217 of those positives were PCR tests, and 326 were antigen tests.
2,605,963 total tests have been administered for the novel coronavirus. 522,171 unique individuals have been tested.
189 people are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19.
Since yesterday 481 individuals have been confirmed as recovered, bringing the recovered total to 138,253. This leaves 3,565 active confirmed cases.
According to the state health department’s coronavirus dashboard, 656 individuals from 45 counties have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the new statewide positive total to 132,808.
These results were from a pool of 8,868 tests for a daily positive rate of 8.02 percent.
282 of those positives were PCR tests, and 374 were antigen tests.
2,453,272 total tests have been administered for the novel coronavirus. 504,884 unique individuals have been tested.
161 people are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19.
Since yesterday 699 individuals have been confirmed as recovered, bringing the recovered total to 126,863. This leaves 4,334 active confirmed cases.
The North Dakota Department of Health reported four new deaths related to COVID-19 Thursday, and the state’s active case count is nearing 3,000, a number not seen since December.
The deaths bring the state’s pandemic toll to 1,571. The Health Department no longer publicly reports the county, sex and age range of newly confirmed virus-related deaths but the number of Burleigh County deaths increased by three for a total of 207. Morton County stayed unchanged at 102.
The Health Department also reported 617 new COVID-19 cases from 10,138 new tests, bring the state’s total case count to 2,946 cases. The last time active cases were that high was in December, at the end of North Dakota’s winter surge. Thursday’s positivity rate was 6.32%, and the state’s 14-day positivity rate was 6.55%.
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