North Dakota Democrats seeking more strength in numbers

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party expects to see many new faces at its state convention this weekend but it also will need to find new leadership among its legislators.

Adam Goldwyn, chair of the Dem-NPL Party, said he is anticipating the strongest convention attendance since former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp ran for reelection eight years ago.

“I think that’s just a reflection of the energy we’re seeing in our party across the state,” Goldwyn said.

Four years ago, he said about half of the legislative races were uncontested by Dem-NPL candidates, but this year he expects at least one candidate in every legislative district and full slates of candidates in multiple districts.

Goldwyn added he believes the increased enthusiasm reflects the disdain many people have for President Donald Trump’s second administration and unpopular Republican policies. He said voters don’t seem to like the country’s immigration and enforcement actions, war with Iran, tariffs that impact farmers and lower income Americans or how the administration has handled the release of the Epstein files.

“As much as I would like to think a lot of it is enthusiasm for the Dem-NPL, I think a lot of it is a rejection of the Republican Party as it exists,” he said. “You don’t have to love Democrats. You don’t have to swear fealty to Democrats for all time. You can vote for Democrats this once as a way to show your rejection of this un-American, unpatriotic oligarchy that’s in power and the Republican Party that refuses to stand up to it.”

Democrats are hoping to build on their small foothold in the Legislature, where they are outnumbered 42-5 in the Senate and 83-11 in the House.

Three current Democratic legislators who are in leadership positions will not be on the November ballot, and a fourth leadership position could open.

Rep. Zac Ista of Grand Forks, minority leader in the House, announced this week he is not running. He cited a desire to spend more time with his family while his children are young.

House Minority Leader Rep. Zac Ista, D-Grand Forks, speaks on the House floor during a special session of the Legislature on Jan. 22, 2026. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

“He has garnered the respect of elected leaders at every level of government through his ability to effectively negotiate important funding and policy solutions that positively impact North Dakotans and their families,” Senate Assistant Minority Leader Josh Boschee said in a news release. “I am confident he will continue to provide leadership to the Grand Forks community.”

Rep. Gretchen Dobervich of Fargo, the House assistant minority leader, also is not running.

Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan of Fargo announced in January she will not seek reelection. Rep. Mary Schneider, D-Fargo, is running to succeed Hogan in the Senate.

With Hogan stepping down, Boschee would be in position to step up to lead the Democrats in the Senate. But Boschee is making a run for the Fargo mayor’s seat. He said he will resign his Senate seat if he is elected mayor in June.

Legislative leaders will be determined after the election. But up next is the state convention.

Democrats will gather Friday and Saturday at Bismarck State College. Friday features a speech by Democratic National Committee Midwest Region President Ron Harris of Minneapolis.

“North Dakotans and Minnesotans are bonded,” Goldwyn said. “It’s a story that we need to hear in North Dakota.”

Convention delegates will vote on its statewide endorsements, party platform and resolutions on Saturday. The day will also feature speeches by Heitkamp, the last Democrat to win statewide office in North Dakota, and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston.

Three Dem-NPL candidates, Trygve Hammer, Vern Thompson and Helene Neville, are seeking the party’s endorsement in the U.S. House race. No other Dem-NPL candidates have announced their intentions to compete in the other 2026 statewide races for attorney general, secretary of state, agriculture commissioner, tax commission and two seats on the Public Service Commission, but Goldwyn expects other candidates will be considered once the convention begins.

(Story written by Michael Achterling and Jeff Beach – North Dakota Monitor)