Peace Garden News

NFIB North Dakota PAC has announced endorsements for state legislative candidates, focusing on those who support small businesses in the region. The selection process has highlighted incumbents who have shown a consistent record of advocacy for small business interests.

Don Larson, NFIB State Director, commented on the situation, noting, “Small businesses in North Dakota are facing significant challenges in today’s economic and regulatory climate.” He emphasized the election's importance to address pressing issues like inflation, workforce shortages, and regulations that inhibit economic growth. "We stand behind those lawmakers who have demonstrated a genuine commitment to overcoming the hurdles faced by small-business owners in our communities," Larson added.

Endorsements for current legislators were based on their performance in the NFIB North Dakota Voting Record, which evaluates their voting behavior on issues critical to small businesses. A legislator must score a minimum of 70% to qualify for endorsement. For candidates in open seats, decisions were made based on their responses to surveys. The NFIB ND PAC Board, composed of small-business owners across the state, reviewed and confirmed the endorsements.

The officially endorsed candidates for the State Senate and State House of Representatives include:

State Senate:

- 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

- Claire Cory, District 42

State House of Representatives:

- Bert Anderson, District 2

- Donald Longmuir, District 2

- Clayton Fegley, District 4B

- Dick Anderson, District 6

- SuAnn Olson, District 8

- Mitch Ostlie, District 12

- Bernie Satrom, District 12

- Jon Nelson, District 14

- Robin Weisz, District 14

- Kathy Frelich, District 15

- Donna Henderson, District 15

- Ben Koppelman, District 16

- Andrew Marschall, District 16

- Steve Vetter, District 18

- Mike Beltz, District 20

- Jared Hagert, District 20

- Brandy Pyle, District 22

- Jonathan Warry, District 22

- Dwight Kiefert, District 24

- Jeremy Olson, District 26

- Mike Brandenburg, District 28

- Jim Grueneich, District 28

- Glenn Bosch, District 30

- Mike Nathe, District 30

- Pat Heinert, District 32

- Lisa Meier, District 32

- Todd Porter, District 34

- Nathan Toman, District 34

- Dori Hauck, District 36

- Dan Ruby, District 38

- Matt Ruby, District 40

- Emily O’Brien, District 42

- Jim Kasper, District 46