The Rundown

Here is a rundown of what you might have missed in North Dakota politics this week sprinkled with a dash of sarcasm. Consider it a cheat sheet for tonight’s happy hour discussion. Cheers to the weekend. If you’d like to submit a moment from the week, click here!

The Weekend

Dem-NPL delegates gathered in Grand Forks to select their candidates heading into the mid-term election. The race on everybody’s mind was the contested Congressional nomination. Mac Schneider received a majority on the first ballot securing the nomination. Immediately following the vote, Ben Hanson and John Grabinger joined Mac on stage as he accepted the nomination. The two handled the situation with grace and class and showed the state that they back Mac.

Monday

Rep. Randy Boehning announced he’s seeking reelection to the ND House. Boehning is known for taking a picture of his private and sending it to another person who never asked for the picture. The news caught national attention. The unsolicited picture is considered a form of harassment. While politicians in other states have resigned for similar actions, Boehning feels compelled to continue the role. District 27 Republicans endorsed him the following night demonstrating they’re cool with it.

In related news, the ND Legislature is looking to revamp their harassment policies heading into the 2019 session. Al Carlson and others in leadership maintain there has been no evidence of harassment on their watch. Someone should introduce Carlson to Boehning who is a member of his own caucus in the House.

Tuesday

We broke the development that Pat Finken, President of Odney Advertising, was taking a leave from the advertising/lobbying firm to run Kevin Cramer’s Senate campaign. Finken has been the de facto manager of Republican campaigns in ND for years. The only difference, in this case, is federal laws. The Bismarck Tribune confirmed my report Thursday night. I’ll have plenty more to share on this development in the days and weeks ahead.

Former Congressman Rick Berg was selected as the NDGOP Chair. Berg was defeated by Heitkamp in 2012 and was a rumored candidate to challenge her again in 2018 at one point.

Wednesday

The Associated Press reported Tom Campbell was basically buying votes at the upcoming NDGOP convention. Campbell has spent over a quarter of a million dollars of his own money on raising his profile. For some reason, it doesn’t seem to be working in his party. His solution? Throw more targeted money at ’em. I wrote about this on Thursday. This isn’t the first time someone has basically bought votes in the NDGOP. It has been reported John Hoeven did something similar when he ran against Gary Nelson for Governor. They didn’t seem to have much of an issue with it then but sure do now.

The Secretary of State approved the format for an initiated measure focused on ethics in state government. The group can begin circulating petitions. When I first heard of this effort, I said to closely watch those who desperately try to discredit attempts to firm up ethic policies in the state. Who or what are they trying to provide cover for?

Thursday

President Trump’s trade war is starting to raise concerns right here. I visited with Monte Peterson who is a soybean farmer from Valley City. Peterson joined me on KFGO’s “Afternoons Live” to share his experience and frustrations as China threatens retaliation for Trump’s actions specifically on soybean imports. North Dakota could be impacted by $1.5 billion. Peterson is heading to China in a few weeks to talk trade. You can listen to our visit here. 

Friday

In the early morning hours, Congress approved a $1.3 trillion spending bill. It was yet another bill crafted behind closed doors and rushed through the chambers as a shutdown deadline loomed. Another bill nobody read before voting. Couple the $1.3 trillion in spending with billions of increased debt from the rushed tax reform bill and this Congress is setting us up for future budgetary issues. What will they cut to try and narrow the deficit? Medicare? Medicaid? Social Security? Infrastructure? President Trump has threatened a veto of this bill.