MINOT, N.D. — Nationally, Republicans didn’t perform as well in the midterm elections as expected. The “red wave” was more of a “red mist.” North Dakota Republicans bucked that trend, though, and Congressman Kelly Armstrong’s re-election was a part of that. On this episode of Plain Talk, he argued that, despite Republicans not living up…
Plain Talk: Former California cop says North Dakota’s marijuana ballot measure won’t make our state like hers
Minot, N.D. — A national anti-marijuana group that is organizing the opposition to Measure 2, which, if passed by North Dakota voters, would legalize recreational marijuana, has been touting support from several law enforcement groups. These organizations say legalizing marijuana will hurt public safety. There will be more crime. More inebriated driving. “When you look…
Plain Talk: In first debate, North Dakota Senate candidates spar on farm policy, energy, abortion, Ukraine
MINOT, N.D. — North Dakota has three candidates running for the United States Senate. Incumbent Sen. John Hoeven, who was first elected to that office in 2010, is facing a challenge from Democratic-NPL candidate Katrina Christiansen and independent candidate Rick Becker. On this episode of Plain Talk, all three candidates met for the first time…
Plain Talk: PSC candidates Sheri Haugen-Hoffart and Trygve Hammer debate
MINOT, N.D. — Members of North Dakota’s Public Service Commission serve staggered six-year terms, meaning that one of the three members of the commission is on the ballot every two years. This year, however, there are two PSC seats up for grabs. Commissioner Julie Fedorchak is running for re-election at the end of her six-year…
Plain Talk: Pro-marijuana campaign responds to emergence of opposition group
MINOT, N.D. — An opposition group has formed with the mission to defeat a ballot measure on North Dakota’s ballot which would legalize recreational marijuana. This group is making a number of claims about the ill that would befall our state if legal pot is the law of the land. They’re talking about increased crime.…
Plain Talk: North Dakota Farmers Union president speaks out against term limits proposal
MINOT, N.D. — Last week North Dakota’s two largest agriculture groups, the North Dakota Farm Bureau and the North Dakota Farmers Union, came out against a term limits proposal that’s on the statewide ballot. On this episode of Plain Talk the president of one of those groups, Mark Watne from the NDFU, joined to discuss why his…
Plain Talk: Pioneer in North Dakota term limits policy says term limits measure is ‘anti-North Dakota’
MINOT, N.D. — You can’t really talk about the history of North Dakota’s initiated measure process without talking about Kent French. The Bismarck-based businessman was legendary in the 1980s and 1990s for his many initiated measures and referenda targeting issues like taxes. And, yes, term limits. We’re debating term limits again this election cycle —…
Plain Talk: Lawmaker talks property tax proposal, attorney general office space scandal
MINOT, N.D. — We’re all in campaign mode right now, but just a couple of months after Election Day North Dakota will have a new legislative session. Lawmakers at that session will be hearing about two competing tax cut plans. One would flatten the state’s income tax brackets, and eliminate the tax for most of…
Plain Talk: A local candidate sounds off, and Cramer talks Jan. 6 texts, funding bill, gun tracking, and more
MINOT, N.D. — In North Dakota, we elect a lot of people. That’s not a bad thing, but sometimes once you get down to the bottom of your ballot, past higher-profile candidates for state and federal office, you begin to see some names you might not be very familiar with. Names that are often all…
Plain Talk: Secretary of state candidates debate election integrity, voting, transparency, and more
MINOT, N.D. — Election integrity is a hot-button issue. Rancor continues around the outcome of the 2020 election, with many claiming that, at least nationally, former President Donald Trump was cheated out of another term in the White House by fraud. North Dakota election officials have been flooded with open records requests from people seeking information to…