Peace Garden News

NFIB North Dakota PAC has announced its endorsements for state legislative candidates, highlighting incumbents who have shown support for small businesses in Bismarck.

"Small businesses in North Dakota are facing significant challenges in today’s economic and regulatory climate," said NFIB State Director Don Larson. "This election is pivotal for ensuring our legislators remain focused on critical issues such as inflation, workforce shortages, and burdensome government mandates that stifle the economy. We stand behind those lawmakers who have demonstrated a genuine commitment to overcoming the hurdles faced by small-business owners in our communities."

The endorsements are based on the NFIB North Dakota Voting Record, which assesses legislators' votes on key issues affecting small businesses. Current lawmakers must score at least 70% to qualify for endorsement. For candidates running in open seats, endorsements are determined through responses to questionnaires. The NFIB ND PAC Board, consisting of small-business owners from across the state, reviews and approves these endorsements.

The endorsed candidates for the State Senate include Paul Thomas (District 6), Jeff Magrum (District 8), Judy Estenson (District 9), Cole Conley (District 12), Jerry Klein (District 14), David Clemens (District 16), Scott Meyer (District 18), Randy Lemm (District 20), Mark Weber (District 22), Mike Wobbema (District 24), Dale Patten (District 26), Robert Erbele (District 28), Diane Larson (District 30), Dick Dever (District 32), David Hogue (District 38) and Claire Cory (District 42).

In the State House of Representatives, endorsed candidates include Bert Anderson and Donald Longmuir from District 2; Clayton Fegley from District 4B; Dick Anderson from District 6; SuAnn Olson from District 8; Mitch Ostlie and Bernie Satrom from District 12; Jon Nelson and Robin Weisz from Districts14; Kathy Frelich and Donna Henderson from Districts15; Ben Koppelman and Andrew Marschall from Districts16; Steve Vetter from District18; Mike Beltz and Jared Hagert from District20; Brandy Pyle and Jonathan Warry from District22; Dwight Kiefert from District24; Jeremy Olson from District26; Mike Brandenburg and Jim Grueneich from District28; Glenn Bosch and Mike Nathe from District30; Pat Heinert and Lisa Meierfrom Distric32todd Porterand Nathan Tomanfrom Distric34dori Hauckfrom Distric36dan Rubyfrom Distric38matt Rubyfrom Distric40emily O’Brienfrom Distric42jim Kasperfrom Distirct46