MINOT, N.D. — The faction of Donald Trump loyalists who ambushed many of the North Dakota Republican Party’s local district reorganizations, and had some success electing their own to leadership positions, may have to do it all over again. That’s the law. The Democratic-NPL will have to do theirs over too, though that wasn’t nearly so contentious an endeavor…
Did Someone Purposefully Derail a Train Carrying North Dakota Oil?
MINOT, N.D. — There has been much talk about political violence of late, and it has been appropriately centered on the Jan. 6 riot in Washington, D.C., inspired by disgraced former President Donald Trump’s conspiracy-mongering about the 2020 election results. But if we’re going to get serious about political extremism, the discussion can’t just be about Trump…
After Furor at District Conventions, Trumpists Are Unlikely to Get Control of the NDGOP
MINOT, N.D. — At the dawn of every new cycle North Dakota’s political parties reorganize themselves. Local, district-level party committees elect new leadership, and then that leadership elects leaders at the statewide level. Normally this process plays out quietly, with little fanfare outside of the picayune rivalries and intrigues of deeply local politicking. This spring,…
I Guess Gerrymandering Isn’t Gerrymandering When Democrats Do It?
MINOT, N.D. — Based on about three decades worth of election results, North Dakota voters don’t like much of what the Democratic-NPL has to offer in terms of candidates or policy ideas. This is a difficult reality to face. So, much like Donald Trump and his lies about the 2020 election results, our liberal friends have invented an alternate…
A Glimpse Behind the Curtain as Activists Plan Major Escalation in Line 3 Protests
MINOT, N.D. — The activists fighting the Line 3 pipeline replacement project (this is an existing pipeline that’s being updated by its owner Enbridge) are planning for a major escalation this weekend. From June 5 to 8 the group organizing the demonstrations, called Treaty People, is preparing for potentially thousands of protesters to descend on northern Minnesota. High-profile activists…
It’s Time to Bring Back the in-Person Town Halls
MINOT, N.D. — Things are beginning to get back to normal, as they should. While there are still reasons to be wary, the scourge that is the COVID-19 virus is receding in our state. As I write this, on Memorial Day Monday, the total number of active cases in North Dakota stands at just 411.…
You Can’t Tout Expanded Unemployment Benefits Without Acknowledging Where the Money Comes From
MINOT, N.D. — Sen. Tim Mathern, a Democrat from Fargo, would like Gov. Doug Burgum to reinstate the pandemic-era federal “top off” to state unemployment benefits. These federal benefits, which extended the duration of the unemployment benefit and added an additional $300-400 in weekly payments on top of them, will end in North Dakota on June 19. After that…
Hey Politicians, You Can’t Get Got if You’re Transparent
MINOT, N.D. — North Dakota’s legislative session may be over, but the work of the Legislature goes on. Last week members of Legislative Management, a powerful committee that guides much of the business of the Legislature during the interim, went about selecting policy topics to study before the next session. Many bills are passed to…
There Is Political Bias at North Dakota’s Universities, and I’ve Been a Victim of It
MINOT, N.D. — Everyone is a fierce advocate for the First Amendment when it comes to their own speech or speech they agree with. That commitment to free expression tends to falter when it comes to speech we disagree with. North Dakota’s university system is posturing itself for a legal challenge to a new law passed by…
Watch Live and Join in the Chat: Can North Dakota Really Go Carbon Neutral?
Some of the biggest investors in the green energy space are major players in the fossil fuel industry. Meanwhile, Ford has announced an electric version of its hugely popular F-150 pickup. In North Dakota, where oil and gas is a huge contributor to the statewide economy, Governor Doug Burgum just announced a goal of being carbon neutral by…