Politics of North Dakota
Constitution |
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The politics of North Dakota were shaped historically by early settlement by people from the Northern Tier, who carried their politics west ultimately from New England, upstate New York, and the Upper Midwest. The area and state also received numerous European immigrants and migrants, particularly during the era of opening up of former Native American lands for sale and settlement.
The political leanings of the state since its creation have been largely
The government of the state was modeled on that of the United States federal government, whereby the Governor of North Dakota is executive head of state and head of government. Legislative power is vested in both chambers of the North Dakota Legislature; the House of Representatives and the Senate. Judicial power is vested in the North Dakota Supreme Court, which is independent of the executive and the legislative branches. The North Dakota Constitution was approved in 1889.
Political history
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 235,595 | 65.11% | 114,902 | 31.76% | 11,322 | 3.13% |
2016 | 216,794 | 62.96% | 93,758 | 27.23% | 33,808 | 9.82% |
2012 | 188,163 | 58.32% | 124,827 | 38.69% | 9,637 | 2.99% |
2008 | 168,887 | 53.15% | 141,403 | 44.50% | 7,448 | 2.34% |
2004 | 196,651 | 62.86% | 111,052 | 35.50% | 5,130 | 1.64% |
2000 | 174,852 | 60.66% | 95,284 | 33.05% | 18,131 | 6.29% |
1996 | 125,050 | 46.94% | 106,905 | 40.13% | 34,456 | 12.93% |
1992 | 136,244 | 44.22% | 99,168 | 32.18% | 72,721 | 23.60% |
1988 | 166,559 | 56.03% | 127,739 | 42.97% | 2,963 | 1.00% |
1984 | 200,336 | 64.84% | 104,429 | 33.80% | 4,206 | 1.36% |
1980 | 193,695 | 64.23% | 79,189 | 26.26% | 28,661 | 9.50% |
1976 | 153,470 | 51.66% | 136,078 | 45.80% | 7,546 | 2.54% |
1972 | 174,109 | 62.07% | 100,384 | 35.79% | 6,021 | 2.15% |
1968 | 138,669 | 55.94% | 94,769 | 38.23% | 14,444 | 5.83% |
1964 | 108,207 | 41.88% | 149,784 | 57.97% | 398 | 0.15% |
1960 | 154,310 | 55.42% | 123,963 | 44.52% | 158 | 0.06% |
1956 | 156,766 | 61.72% | 96,742 | 38.09% | 483 | 0.19% |
1952 | 191,712 | 70.97% | 76,694 | 28.39% | 1,721 | 0.64% |
1948 | 115,139 | 52.17% | 95,812 | 43.41% | 9,765 | 4.42% |
1944 | 118,535 | 53.84% | 100,144 | 45.48% | 1,492 | 0.68% |
1940 | 154,590 | 55.06% | 124,036 | 44.18% | 2,149 | 0.77% |
1936 | 72,751 | 26.58% | 163,148 | 59.60% | 37,817 | 13.82% |
1932 | 71,772 | 28.00% | 178,350 | 69.59% | 6,168 | 2.41% |
1928 | 131,441 | 54.80% | 106,648 | 44.46% | 1,778 | 0.74% |
1924 | 94,931 | 47.68% | 13,858 | 6.96% | 90,292 | 45.35% |
1920 | 160,072 | 77.79% | 37,422 | 18.19% | 8,282 | 4.02% |
1916 | 53,471 | 46.34% | 55,206 | 47.84% | 6,713 | 5.82% |
1912 | 23,090 | 26.67% | 29,555 | 34.14% | 33,935 | 39.19% |
1908 | 57,680 | 61.02% | 32,885 | 34.79% | 3,960 | 4.19% |
1904 | 52,595 | 75.12% | 14,273 | 20.39% | 3,146 | 4.49% |
1900 | 35,898 | 62.12% | 20,531 | 35.53% | 1,362 | 2.36% |
1896 | 26,335 | 55.57% | 20,686 | 43.65% | 370 | 0.78% |
1892 | 17,519 | 48.50% | 0 | 0.00% | 18,599 | 51.50% |
1889 to 1904
North Dakota began as a
While the Republican control over the next several years was criticized by Progressives, the state made strides in industrial development. Large lignite mines opened near Beulah and Wilton, and brickworks and flour mills soon opened throughout the state. The railroad industry also boomed in the state during this period, and many cities were formed along the tracks.
1905 to 1919
Despite the progress made by the Republican Party by 1905, political upheaval began to grow once again as Republican progressives united with Democrats to elect John Burke as the state's first Democratic Party governor. While the Democratic Party did not gain control of any other statewide offices, Burke's election began a reform era. During the next decade, a series of other movements began to take place.
In 1907, a new co-operative movement, the American Society of Equity, came to the state and by 1913 become well established. A second movement, the Socialist Party of North Dakota, gained momentum as many of the state's European immigrants by 1905 had come from more radical traditions. Both the cooperative and radical movements criticized the Republican Party and demanded change, seeking better conditions for farmers. These movements created the Nonpartisan League in 1915. This political organization became one of the most significant new movements in the United States.
Led by
1920 to 1930
The anti-NPL movement gained strength after the end of
In addition a drought in the western part of the state brought stress to families and diminished the NPL support. In 1920, the IVA took control of the North Dakota House of Representatives, and in 1921 it forced a recall election that deposed Governor Frazier, Attorney General William Lemke, and Commissioner of Agriculture and Labor John N. Hagan. The recall effectively ended the NPL's reign, and significantly altered North Dakota government for years to come. The state-owned Bank of North Dakota is a product of the NPL that continues to operate successfully in the 21st century.
During the mid and late 1920s, a struggle between the NPL and the IVA ensued. The state's constitutional offices, including that of the governor, were held by changing parties. The decade ended with a fire that destroyed the State Capitol building, adding to the state's financial burden on the eve of the Great Depression. The IVA gained control again of state politics.
1931 to 1960
During the early 1930s, state Government was dominated by the conservative IVA. By 1932, however, a revitalized NPL returned to the forefront and elected William Langer as governor. While in office, Langer took bold actions, including a massive cut of state spending during the depths of the Great Depression. He was believed to disregard the law. A federal investigation resulted in Langer's being removed from office in late 1934. Lieutenant Governor Ole Olson finished his term.
The state's Democratic Party made a comeback in the 1934 election when Thomas H. Moodie was elected; however, the success for the party was short-lived when it was discovered that Moodie did not meet residency requirements and had to be disqualified. Walter Welford succeeded Moodie, but was defeated in the 1936 election by an exonerated William Langer.
The turbulence in the governor's office ended in 1938, when Democrat John Moses was elected; he held the office for six years. By 1943, seeking a way to overturn the Democratic control, the IVA Republicans coalesced into the Republican Organizing Committee (ROC). They regained the governor's office by 1944, against the national popularity of Democratic candidates led by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The insurgency left a crippled Democratic Party struggling to re-organize.
As the Republican ROC controlled state politics into the early 1950s, the Democratic Party and the NPL, the state's two liberal parties, merged into the
1961 to present
The
While the Democrats made some strides in trying to control the state's constitutional offices, such as attorney general and tax commissioner in the 1980s, in the early 21st century, all of the statewide offices are held by Republicans. The last Democrat to serve was Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson, who resigned; he was succeeded by Republican Doug Goehring, appointed by Republican Governor John Hoeven.
Changes in demographics are beginning to influence the elections. A sizeable portion of North Dakota lands are held by federally recognized Native American tribes in reservations. Native Americans have become more active in electoral politics, and most vote with the
In August 2016, a federal court ruled that North Dakota's new voter ID law was too restrictive, reverting the state's voting rules to their 2013 revision for the following election. Under the nullified rules, the state would have disallowed use of federal tribal IDs that did not include street addresses, even though most Native Americans on reservations use post office boxes. The court found the state had created a discriminatory burden on Native American voters.[5]
Political institutions
As in the national government of the United States, power in North Dakota is divided into three main branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.
Executive
The
All thirteen statewide executive offices are filled by electoral contests. All but the North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction are on a party-affiliated ballot.
Current executive branch
Office | Name | Party | Since |
---|---|---|---|
Governor of North Dakota | Doug Burgum | Republican | December 15, 2016 |
Lieutenant governor | Brent Sanford | Republican | December 15, 2016 |
Secretary of State
|
Michael Howe | Republican | January 1, 2023 |
State Auditor | Josh Gallion | Republican | January 1, 2017 |
Attorney General
|
Drew Wrigley | Republican | February 8, 2022 |
State Treasurer
|
Thomas Beadle | Republican | January 1, 2021 |
Insurance Commissioner | Jon Godfread | Republican | December 15, 2016 |
Tax Commissioner
|
Brian Kroshus | Republican | January 4, 2022 |
Agriculture Commissioner | Doug Goehring | Republican | April 6, 2009 |
Superintendent of Public Instruction | Kirsten Baesler | Republican | January 1, 2013 |
Public Service Commissioners | Sheri Haugen-Hoffart | Republican | January 4, 2022 |
Randy Christmann
|
Republican | January 2013 | |
Julie Fedorchak | Republican | December 2012 |
Legislative
The North Dakota Legislative Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives, with all members elected directly by the people of each district. The House of Representatives has 94 members, each serving a four-year term. The Senate has 47 members, each serving a four-year term. The state does not limit the number of terms that a legislator can serve; Brynhild Haugland notably served for 52 years in the House, a national record that still stands today.
Current composition
In the 64th Legislative Assembly (2015-2016), the Republicans command large majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
North Dakota House of Representatives
Affiliation | Members | |
---|---|---|
Republican | 82 | |
Democratic-NPL
|
12 | |
Total | 94 |
The North Dakota Senate
Affiliation | Members | |
---|---|---|
Republican | 43 | |
Democratic-NPL
|
4 | |
Total | 47 |
Current leadership
The North Dakota House of Representatives
Office | Name | Party | Since |
---|---|---|---|
Speaker of the House
|
Larry Bellew | Republican | 2014 |
Majority Leader
|
Al Carlson | Republican | 2008 |
Minority Leader
|
Josh Boschee
|
Democratic-NPL
|
2016 |
The North Dakota Senate
Office | Name | Party | Since |
---|---|---|---|
President of the Senate | Brent Sanford | Republican | 2010 |
President pro tempore | Dick Dever | Republican | 2014 |
Majority Leader
|
Rich Wardner | Republican | 2011 |
Minority Leader
|
Joan Heckaman | Democratic-NPL
|
2016 |
Federal representation
North Dakota's two U.S. Senators are elected at large:
- Senior Senator John Hoeven(Republican)
- Junior Senator Kevin Cramer(Republican)
North Dakota currently has one at-large congressional district. A 2nd and 3rd district were eliminated due to population growth in other states.
U.S. House of Representatives:
- Rep. Kelly Armstrong(Republican).
- North Dakota's 2nd congressional district existed from 1903 to 1973.
- North Dakota's 3rd congressional district existed from 1913 to 1933.
Gallery of North Dakota's congressional delegation
-
Senior Senator John Hoeven
-
Junior Senator Kevin Cramer
-
Representative Kelly Armstrong
North Dakota is part of the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota in the federal judiciary. The district's cases are appealed to the St-Louis-based United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Third political parties
Under state law, there are technically no major or minor parties, only 'organized' parties that are entitled to equal rights under the law [1].
In the 1990s the Reform Party and the Natural Law Party both formally organized in the state, but the national in-fighting in these two parties in 2000, caused their decline. As of 2006, the Constitution Party and the Libertarian Party both have organized state chapters.
The North Dakota Libertarian Party is the most active of the organized third parties in the state. In 2004, Roland Riemers and Mitchell Sanderson were the libertarian candidates for state governor and received 4,193 votes, just over one percent [2]. In 2006, Riemers ran for United States Senate and received a similar result [3].
It is rare for third parties to nominate candidates for certain offices, especially the state legislative, because State primary rules require a minimum number of primary voters before an organized party's candidate can go onto the general election.
See also
- Government of North Dakota
- Elections in North Dakota
- North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party
- North Dakota Republican Party
- United States congressional delegations from North Dakota
- List of United States senators from North Dakota
- Electoral reform in North Dakota
- Political party strength in North Dakota
References
- ^ Leip, David. "Presidential General Election Results Comparison – North Dakota". US Election Atlas. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
- ^ Dakota Datebook Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "North Dakota History" Archived 2007-04-03 at the Wayback Machine, North Dakota government
- ^ Mark Trahant, "North Dakota Forges a History from Pipeline to Ballots", Indian Country Today, 31 October 2016; accessed 31 October 2016
- Frontline. WGBH-TV. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
Further reading
- Stock, Catherine McNicol (2020). Nuclear Country: The Origins of the Rural New Right. University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 978-0-8122-5245-3.