Question 1

Where do Bismarck candidates stand on abortion?

Accepted Answer

Attorney General. Tim Lamb (Democratic-NPL): In his questionnaire response, Lamb agreed that abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive government funds, including Title X grants. Drew Wrigley (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. State House, District 7. Steve Sauter (Republican): Sauter says taxpayer dollars should not fund abortion providers and that support should focus on women, families, and alternatives that respect life. Jason Thoms (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. Greg Vetter (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Tiffany Williams-Rice (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources.

Question 2

Where do Bismarck candidates stand on health care and retirement?

Accepted Answer

State Senate, District 7. Michelle Axtman (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Kevin Horneman (Democratic-NPL): His stated priorities include food safety and expanding rural healthcare through state-funded training programs. State House, District 7. Steve Sauter (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Jason Thoms (Democratic-NPL): He says he would advocate for improved mental-health policies and legislation to support individuals and families affected by mental-health issues. Greg Vetter (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Tiffany Williams-Rice (Democratic-NPL): She said families are struggling with rising healthcare costs and everyday expenses, and that too many people are left out of decisions affecting their lives. State House, District 35. Taylor Johnson (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. Karen Karls (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Lynne M Lafer-Halvorson (Democratic-NPL): She identifies rural health services as needing attention and says the state should address economic struggles affecting ordinary people. Bob Martinson (Republican): He opposes government-guaranteed health care with no private option, according to his response to the questionnaire’s health-care statement. State House, District 47. Rosann Jacobs-Fode (Democratic-NPL): She supports protecting access to affordable health care and mental-health services. Jon Lee (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Cole Montoya (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. Michael Motschenbacher (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Andrew Alexis Varvel (Independent): No public statement found in our sources.

Question 3

Where do Bismarck candidates stand on schools and education?

Accepted Answer

Superintendent of Public Instruction Unexpired 2-Year Term

Levi Bachmeier
Teacher compensation: He said the proposed annual teacher bonuses are a meaningful step toward addressing the teacher shortage, while acknowledging that money alone will not solve every problem. (North Dakota Monitor / News From The States)
School funding: He said state support for schools has not kept pace with inflation and that schools are hurting as one-time federal pandemic funding has ended. (North Dakota Monitor / News From The States)
Classroom technology: He opposed an outright ban on classroom technology, saying students will use it in college, the military and the workforce; he called for reasonable guardrails and a balance between local control and student wellness. (North Dakota Monitor / News From The States)
Tracy Layne Foss
Teacher compensation: She described the proposed teacher bonus as a start, but said the state should also raise salaries enough to provide financial stability; she cited burnout and heavy workloads as reasons educators leave. (North Dakota Monitor / News From The States)
School funding: She said the state should have planned for the expiration of federal pandemic funding and should provide schools enough state funding to maintain services without recurring difficult cuts. (North Dakota Monitor / News From The States)
Classroom technology: She supported locking up cellphones during the school day and said laptop policies should balance educational benefits against technology’s addictive nature; she said limits for younger students should be considered. (North Dakota Monitor / News From The States)

State Senate, District 35

Sean Cleary (Republican)
Jobs, education: He says he will fight for good-paying jobs, high-quality education, and building strong communities. (Sean Cleary campaign website)
Dale Pittman (Democratic-NPL)
No public statement found in our sources.

State House, District 7

Steve Sauter (Republican)
No public statement found in our sources.
Jason Thoms (Democratic-NPL)
Children and schools: He says he would pursue childcare subsidies, maintain and strengthen state support for federal programs serving children and families, fund schools appropriately, and work to ensure no child goes hungry. (BallotReady candidate profile)
Greg Vetter (Republican)
No public statement found in our sources.
Tiffany Williams-Rice (Democratic-NPL)
No public statement found in our sources.

State House, District 35

Taylor Johnson (Democratic-NPL)
No public statement found in our sources.
Karen Karls (Republican)
No public statement found in our sources.
Lynne M Lafer-Halvorson (Democratic-NPL)
Schools and oversight: She says the state should address public-school education, the loss of family farms, challenges facing small businesses, and the adequacy of rural health services. She also calls for transparency and appropriate oversight of ethical conduct and scrutiny of big money’s role in policymaking. (Bismarck Mandan Leaders)
Education funding: She says she wants to bring resources to schools and families, and identifies public education as an issue needing attention. (Bismarck Mandan Leaders)
Bob Martinson (Republican)
School choice: He supports school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools and homeschooling. (iVoterGuide)
Public education: His questionnaire response says publicly funded public education should be guaranteed through college. (iVoterGuide)

State House, District 47

Rosann Jacobs-Fode (Democratic-NPL)
Education: She lists stronger public-education funding and expanded career and technical education pathways among her priorities. (Bismarck Mandan Leaders)
Jon Lee (Republican)
Governance and education: He says governance should emphasize diplomacy over division, respect taxpayers, and value education that prepares young people for success. (Jon Lee for ND House District 47)
School meals: Speaking about the school-meal funding measure, Lee said putting the measure on the ballot was the wrong approach. (KX News)
Cole Montoya (Democratic-NPL)
No public statement found in our sources.
Michael Motschenbacher (Republican)
No public statement found in our sources.
Andrew Alexis Varvel (Independent)
No public statement found in our sources.

Question 4

Where do Bismarck candidates stand on housing?

Accepted Answer

Agriculture Commissioner. Doug Goehring (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Vern Thompson (Democratic-NPL): He said he would address food affordability by advocating for a meat-processing cooperative in North Dakota. Public Service Commissioner. Sheri Haugen-Hoffart (Republican): She says she is working to keep North Dakota’s electricity costs among the nation’s lowest, protect energy infrastructure from foreign threats, and keep the energy industry strong and reliable. John M Pederson (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. State House, District 7. Steve Sauter (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Jason Thoms (Democratic-NPL): He says he wants to make the community more affordable and welcoming through a fiscally responsible, sustainable approach. He says he would seek legislation supporting affordable housing, including low-cost construction loans and greater availability of low-cost housing, and protections for renters and people in mobile-home communities. Greg Vetter (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Tiffany Williams-Rice (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. State House, District 47. Rosann Jacobs-Fode (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. Jon Lee (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Cole Montoya (Democratic-NPL): He says people who work full time should be able to afford basic housing and identifies rising housing costs and the cost of necessities as concerns. Michael Motschenbacher (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Andrew Alexis Varvel (Independent): No public statement found in our sources.

Question 5

Where do Bismarck candidates stand on public safety?

Accepted Answer

State Senate, District 35. Sean Cleary (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Dale Pittman (Democratic-NPL): Pittman says he supports law enforcement while also firmly supporting the civil liberties of every individual. State House, District 47. Rosann Jacobs-Fode (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. Jon Lee (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Cole Montoya (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. Michael Motschenbacher (Republican): He lists supporting law enforcement and cracking down on career criminals as a priority. Andrew Alexis Varvel (Independent): No public statement found in our sources.

Question 6

Where do Bismarck candidates stand on energy and utilities?

Accepted Answer

Agriculture Commissioner. Doug Goehring (Republican): Goehring said data-center developers should better explain their projects’ purpose, infrastructure needs and community benefits. He also said government should not prevent a private property owner from developing land. Vern Thompson (Democratic-NPL): Thompson proposed requiring community-benefit agreements before projects begin and decommissioning bonds for when they end. He said the state’s backing of a pipeline and certain power-related projects is bad public policy, and highlighted concerns about industrial development, farmland and impacts on roads and private property. Public Service Commissioner. Sheri Haugen-Hoffart (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. John M Pederson (Democratic-NPL): Pederson criticized the PSC attorney’s argument that the commission could not consider public safety when permitting a pipeline, saying that interpretation undermines public confidence and ignores landowner concerns. Public Service Commissioner Unexpired 2-Year Term. Scot Kelsh (Democratic-NPL): Kelsh supports industrial and energy development, but says it should happen openly and rural residents and local governments should have a voice early in the process. He also supports eliminating nondisclosure agreements between large industrial developers and local governments and requiring developers to pay infrastructure costs upfront to help prevent sudden rate increases for cooperative members. Kelsh said that if state law is unclear about whether the PSC can consider public safety in pipeline siting, lawmakers should change it. Jill Kringstad (Republican): Her stated priorities include affordable, reliable, dispatchable energy for families, farms and businesses, and consumer protection through fair rates, accurate utility billing and infrastructure oversight. Kringstad said the Legislature must address data-center policy, and that impacts on communities, the grid and how costs are borne warrant serious examination. State House, District 7. Steve Sauter (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Jason Thoms (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. Greg Vetter (Republican): He supports the coal and energy industry and reliable energy infrastructure, and advocates for individuals with disabilities. Tiffany Williams-Rice (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. State House, District 47. Rosann Jacobs-Fode (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. Jon Lee (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Cole Montoya (Democratic-NPL): He raises concerns about increased coal production, rollbacks of renewable-energy plans and unregulated construction of artificial-intelligence data centers, saying these threaten North Dakota’s natural landscape. Michael Motschenbacher (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Andrew Alexis Varvel (Independent): No public statement found in our sources. Burleigh County Commissioner. Kay LaCoe: No public statement found in our sources. Wayne Munson: No public statement found in our sources. Steve Schwab: No public statement found in our sources. James (Jim) Small: Small says he supports business development, provided it does not come at the expense of county citizens, and wants utilities to remain reasonably priced, including near new projects. Mark Splonskowski: No public statement found in our sources. Mark Wagner: No public statement found in our sources.

Question 7

Where do Bismarck candidates stand on farming, land and water?

Accepted Answer

Agriculture Commissioner. Doug Goehring (Republican): He said he was discussing a possible fertilizer-incentive framework with the Bank of North Dakota and Department of Commerce to help farmers. Vern Thompson (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. Public Service Commissioner. Sheri Haugen-Hoffart (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. John M Pederson (Democratic-NPL): Pederson said landowners should not have to face the threat of eminent domain over carbon pipeline development. Public Service Commissioner Unexpired 2-Year Term. Scot Kelsh (Democratic-NPL): Kelsh said landowners should not have to face the threat of eminent domain. He also said the carbon-pipeline permitting process had bypassed local concerns and that officials should listen to affected people. Jill Kringstad (Republican): Kringstad says infrastructure should be developed in an orderly way that protects the environment and citizens while balancing landowners’ rights. She says she reviews each case’s circumstances, hears public concerns and applies legislative rules fairly and impartially.

Question 8

Where do Bismarck candidates stand on roads and infrastructure?

Accepted Answer

Public Service Commissioner. Sheri Haugen-Hoffart (Republican): She says major infrastructure should be reviewed rigorously, with safety, reliability and the public interest considered, while clear and predictable regulation supports investment. She also emphasizes consistent standards, transparency and assessing effects on rates, reliability and communities. John M Pederson (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources.

Question 9

Where do Bismarck candidates stand on elections and how government runs?

Accepted Answer

Secretary of State. Ryan Braunberger (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. Michael Howe (Republican): He says his priorities are preserving and protecting election integrity and ensuring North Dakota remains a good place to start and grow a business. Attorney General. Tim Lamb (Democratic-NPL): Lamb says he would work to strengthen relationships between the Attorney General’s Office, other state agencies, law enforcement and county state’s attorneys, and improve transparency. Drew Wrigley (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Public Service Commissioner. Sheri Haugen-Hoffart (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. John M Pederson (Democratic-NPL): Pederson says major projects should be scrutinized rather than treated as automatic approvals, and PSC oversight should serve the public. He says the commission should take a long-term view, plan transparently, coordinate across jurisdictions and ensure stakeholders have a voice, so ratepayers do not bear costs they did not create. Tax Commissioner. Brian Kroshus (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Mark Nelson (Democratic-NPL): He expressed concern that one-party dominance makes state government susceptible to corruption. State House, District 47. Rosann Jacobs-Fode (Democratic-NPL): She calls for responsible, transparent government spending and says personal freedoms should be protected. Jon Lee (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Cole Montoya (Democratic-NPL): He says his approach to public office would focus on bridging partisan divides and amplifying young adults’ voices. Michael Motschenbacher (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Andrew Alexis Varvel (Independent): No public statement found in our sources. Burleigh County Commissioner. Kay LaCoe: LaCoe says she would prioritize better working relationships among commissioners and with outside groups and other levels of government. She also says proposed projects should comply with county rules and ordinances, and that officials should use taxpayer resources carefully while planning for the county’s future. Wayne Munson: No public statement found in our sources. Steve Schwab: No public statement found in our sources. James (Jim) Small: No public statement found in our sources. Mark Splonskowski: Splonskowski has argued that voters should get another say on whether the county auditor and treasurer positions remain elected or become appointed. Mark Wagner: No public statement found in our sources.

Question 10

Where do Bismarck candidates stand on taxes and spending?

Accepted Answer

Tax Commissioner. Brian Kroshus (Republican): Kroshus identified fiscally responsible government, effective representation of citizens, and transparency and fairness as priorities for his work as tax commissioner. Mark Nelson (Democratic-NPL): He said he believes one-party dominance makes state government susceptible to corruption, and supported the $1,600 primary-residence credit, saying, “Property taxes are just too high.” State Senate, District 7. Michelle Axtman (Republican): She supports conservative budgeting and protecting the state’s Legacy Fund. Kevin Horneman (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. State House, District 7. Steve Sauter (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Jason Thoms (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. Greg Vetter (Republican): He supports limited-government policies that lower property taxes and respect taxpayers. Tiffany Williams-Rice (Democratic-NPL): She says she is running to lower costs and highlights healthcare costs, housing expenses and the cost of everyday living as pressures on District 7 families and seniors. State House, District 47. Rosann Jacobs-Fode (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. Jon Lee (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Cole Montoya (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. Michael Motschenbacher (Republican): He lists continuing to lower income taxes as a priority. Andrew Alexis Varvel (Independent): No public statement found in our sources. Burleigh County Commissioner. Kay LaCoe: No public statement found in our sources. Wayne Munson: Munson said his goal for the 2027 budget was to buy equipment rather than hire subcontractors, describing the purchases as long-term investments intended to reduce costs to residents over time. Steve Schwab: No public statement found in our sources. James (Jim) Small: Small says he wants to address relationships with political subdivisions and monitor the budget with the aim of reducing it as much as possible. Mark Splonskowski: In discussing county budgeting, Splonskowski pointed to the creation of an internal Budget Committee as a recent improvement, amid turnover and loss of institutional knowledge in the finance department. Mark Wagner: No public statement found in our sources.

Question 11

Where do Bismarck candidates stand on jobs and the economy?

Accepted Answer

Agriculture Commissioner. Doug Goehring (Republican): Goehring said he would continue supporting agricultural research and expanding trade opportunities. Vern Thompson (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. State Senate, District 7. Michelle Axtman (Republican): She supports pro-business policies for entrepreneurs, farmers and energy producers. Kevin Horneman (Democratic-NPL): He says his experience as a journeyman electrician, small-business owner, farmer and rancher informs his commitment to fair reward for work and to North Dakota’s workforce. State House, District 7. Steve Sauter (Republican): His stated priorities include supporting strong families and safe communities, affordable living, and responsible energy development. Jason Thoms (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. Greg Vetter (Republican): He supports a business-friendly environment for entrepreneurs, job creators and local communities, and says continued economic growth depends on keeping North Dakota competitive and open for business. Tiffany Williams-Rice (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. State House, District 47. Rosann Jacobs-Fode (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. Jon Lee (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Cole Montoya (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. Michael Motschenbacher (Republican): He lists strengthening families through job creation, affordable housing, and childcare as a priority. Andrew Alexis Varvel (Independent): No public statement found in our sources. Burleigh County Commissioner. Kay LaCoe: LaCoe says she would work to develop the Missouri Valley Complex as a social and economic center for Burleigh County. Wayne Munson: No public statement found in our sources. Steve Schwab: No public statement found in our sources. James (Jim) Small: Small said he welcomes more business and economic opportunities and hopes the county can attract more businesses. Mark Splonskowski: No public statement found in our sources. Mark Wagner: No public statement found in our sources.

Abortion

Attorney General

State House, District 7

Health care and retirement

State Senate, District 7

State House, District 7

State House, District 35

State House, District 47

Schools and education

Superintendent of Public Instruction Unexpired 2-Year Term

State Senate, District 35

State House, District 7

State House, District 35

State House, District 47

Housing

Agriculture Commissioner

Public Service Commissioner

State House, District 7

State House, District 47

Public safety

State Senate, District 35

State House, District 47

Energy and utilities

Agriculture Commissioner

Public Service Commissioner

Public Service Commissioner Unexpired 2-Year Term

State House, District 7

State House, District 47

Burleigh County Commissioner

Farming, land and water

Agriculture Commissioner

Public Service Commissioner

Public Service Commissioner Unexpired 2-Year Term

Roads and infrastructure

Public Service Commissioner

Elections and government

Secretary of State

Attorney General

Public Service Commissioner

Tax Commissioner

State House, District 47

Burleigh County Commissioner

Taxes and spending

Tax Commissioner

State Senate, District 7

State House, District 7

State House, District 47

Burleigh County Commissioner

Jobs and the economy

Agriculture Commissioner

State Senate, District 7

State House, District 7

State House, District 47

Burleigh County Commissioner

Other positions

Secretary of State

Attorney General

State Senate, District 35

Justice of the Supreme Court

Burleigh County Commissioner