HPR Candidate Endorsements

Our Opinion / For those wanting to vote early, you can go to the polls today and tomorrow

Last week, we shared HPR’s voting recommendations for the eight measures on the Nov. 4 General Election ballot. This week, we place our focus on a select few races hanging in the balance and of huge importance, at least in our opinion. For those wanting to vote, you can go to the polls today (Thursday) and tomorrow for early voting, or go vote at your regular polling place Tuesday.

VOTE ANDERSON, CHRISTENSEN AND QUIGLEY DISTRICT 41

If ever we were to hope for a tangible, visible, palpable, and necessarily positive change to the North Dakota Legislature, it would be to unseat District 41’s Al Carlson and Bette Grande from the House, and across the state to see Margaret Sitte get voted out in District 35.

Grande and Sitte are the two women who have led North Dakota down the path where we are posturing to take on the national fight of Roe vs. Wade, at our expense, and with the additional cost of an outright attack on women’s reproductive rights.

Carlson was the “face” of the effort to force the UND Fighting Sioux logo to remain in place. He read the people wrong and in the process pitted many good North Dakotans against each other.

We support Pamela Anderson and Sheila Christensen for District 41 House of Representatives, and Evelyn Quigley for District 41 State Senate. They are women who will not use their elected office to undermine the constitutionally protected rights of women and families. They will not disenfranchise as many people, we assure you. Out west, please get everyone you know to vote for Erin Oban for District 35 State Senate and to oust Sitte. Please! Vote Anderson, Christensen, and Quigley in District 41.

VOTE GEORGE SINNER REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS

As hard as we try, we just don’t like Kevin Cramer as our Representative in Congress. His values are narrow and his substance is skim. And he says the most unconscionable things sometimes, like when he alluded to wanting to wring the necks of some Native American leaders, or when he ties abortion to public policy, or when he says publicly it’s our moral obligation to mine the coal and drill the oil God has placed there for us to use, or when he produces television ads in fake veterans ceremonies in a military cemetery. And, he is part of Washington, D.C.’s gridlock, don’t be fooled.

George Sinner is a classy alternative and his values reflect a progressiveness that we believe reflects a more accepting, welcoming, genuine respect for all walks of life. He’s open minded, not closed. He also wants more honesty in politics, something we need. Vote George Sinner for Congress.

VOTE NELSON, SCHNEIDER AND HOGAN DISTRICT 21

District 21 is home to Fargo’s downtown, which is the face of North Dakota in many respects. In our opinion, Carolyn Nelson has been a consistent, fair, capable senator, and her voice is needed in our legislature. We say the same about Kathy Hogan whose skill set is one of human services, so she has a special understanding of people at risk and in need. We are especially pleased that Mary Schneider is running to fill the seat vacated by Rep. Steve Zaiser. Electing Schneider will further help balance the currently disproportionate and imbalanced male to female ratio representing the people in our legislature. Vote Nelson, Schneider and Hogan for District 21.

VOTE WARREN DISTRICT 45 AND STOFFERAHN DISTRICT 13

Two of our favorite new candidates on the ballot are Brenda Warren in District 45 and Jaci Stofferahn in District 13. Warren is a tremendous community servant and is known to be capable. Stofferahn is an example of new leadership that is vibrant, engaging and savvy. Vote Warren for District 45 and Stofferahn for District 13.

VOTE STENEHJEM, TAYLOR, FAIRFIELD, ASTRUP, REISENAUER AND AXNESS TO STATE OFFICE

Wayne Stenehjem deserves to be re-elected as Attorney General. He’s a fair and balanced leader, and his heart is bigger than a football field. We respect that he advocated for protections of North Dakota’s extraordinary places as a member of the 3-person Industrial Commission. Vote Stenehjem for Attorney General.

Ryan Taylor is head and shoulders the candidate of choice for the other Industrial Commission opening, that of the Ag Commissioner. That the Farm Bureau got so involved in incumbent Goehring’s re-nomination spoke volumes to us. Taylor is articulate, eloquent, and smart as a whip. Vote Taylor for Agriculture Commissioner.

Regarding the Tax Commissioner race, Ryan Rauschenberger flubbed it. He was nepotistically handed a high-power position on a silver platter, and he muffed it. His absence from work and getting a DUI while supposedly on the job disqualify him for re-election. Vote Jason Astrup for State Tax Commissioner.

Todd Reisenauer and Tyler Axness will be better advocates for the people if elected to Public Service Commission, something that is desperately needed. Please shift that commission up and vote for someone who cares more about you than they do about getting cozy with the very industry they regulate. Vote Reisenauer and Axness for Public Service Commission.

For Secretary of State, we endorse April Fairfield, who’s sharp, on her game, and brimming with bright ideas how to bring that office in particular into the modern world and up to snuff technologically. Besides, it’s time for incumbent Al Jaeger to retire and time for the state to genuinely thank him for his decades of public service. Vote Fairfield for Secretary of State.

VOTE MORGAN CASS COMMISSION, VAN DE STREEK DISTRICT JUDGE, CASS COUNTY REPORTER OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER

On a final note, and back to Cass County, while District 2 has two very qualified candidates for County Commission, we defer to candidate Dawn Morgan most especially because of her extensive portfolio as a preservationist. Cass County has a dismal history of protecting historically relevant properties. Morgan would be a leader not only locally but across the state when it comes to issues of historic preservation. Vote Morgan for County Commission.

With the most complex name on the ballot, make note of the name Tristan Van de Streek running for East Central District Court Judgeship No. 1. He’s seasoned, respected, and a person of the people. Vote Van de Streek for District Judge.

It’s time for the underdog to get named Official County Newspaper. Share some of the power with others in the county. Vote for the Cass County Reporter for a change.