Mathern Says Hoeven Needs to Clear the air

BISMARCK - At a news conference today, Senator Tim Mathern said North Dakotans should know his future political plans and those of Governor John Hoeven to clear the air before the upcoming election.

"Since I began my campaign for Governor, people have been asking me if Governor Hoeven wants to be in office for 12 or more years, or if he wins will he resign and run for Senate or Congress in two years. I think these are legitimate questions for the highest state office in North Dakota."

Mathern said the governor needs to make whatever decision he wants and let the citizens know what it is quickly.

"This is just a matter of clearing the air, so voters know what they are voting for. There have been other recent statewide office changes following a resignation. (Fong and Hamm) It makes sense that people now have this question in their minds. Is this a vote for John Hoeven for 12 plus years or a vote for Jack Dalrymple while Hoeven campaigns for another office?"

Mathern said for his part, "I pledge to run for no more than two terms as governor. I think eight years is enough for one administration to get the job done or to move on to encourage other leadership in our state."

Senator Mathern noted the governor's post is held by one full-time person who is the chief executive officer with dramatic impact on the state. Comparatively, a legislative change where a legislator is one of many legislators has less consequences.

Editorial by Sen. Tim Mathern

Via The Forum's Web site...

Tim Mathern, Fargo, Letter: No one should die for lack of insurance
The Forum

We all know that people who do not have health insurance live in fear. They may have to go into debt to pay for health care or forgo medical care altogether.

But, what many people don’t realize is that a lack of health insurance can also result in premature death.

A new report by Families USA found that between 2000 and 2006, 200 people in North Dakota between the ages of 25 and 64 died prematurely because of a lack of health insurance.

Does that seem hard to believe? Think about it. People without health insurance are more likely to receive too little medical care and receive it too late. They can become sicker due to lack of care, and some die sooner as a result.

Read on...

Geoff Greenwood's News from Headquarters

I have had the pleasure to meet many of you and work with a few of you as well, but for those of you who don't know who I am, I will be working as your new Field Director.

I worked as a Coordinated Campaign Field Staffer in Grand Forks over the 2006 general elections and was given the opportunity to work with our hard-working Representatives during the 2007 Legislative Session as Staff Assistant to House Minority Leader Merle Boucher.

After those great experiences, I am truly excited to now be a member of the Dem-NPL staff!

I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about an exciting grassroots organizing campaign that is being implemented in North Dakota and all over the country by the DNC with the help of state parties and individual Democrats like yourself. It is called the Neighborhood Volunteer Program and is aimed at getting people involved and contacting voters in neighborhoods throughout North Dakota to spread the Democratic message and to elect Democrats this coming November.

The program is a great and easy way to get involved to help our amazing slate of Dem-NPL statewide and legislative candidates win elections. What it does is ask that volunteers contact 25 voters in their neighborhood 3 times between now and the elections either through phone calls, door-to-door canvassing, or mailings that will be set up as "Voter Contact Events."

Following one of the best and most historic State Conventions to date and now with a full slate of Democratic Candidates for the first time in 25 years, it is certainly an exciting time to be a Democrat! We have an excellent chance to win a majority in the Senate, win a slew of legislative races all over the state, take back statewide offices, and send Congressman Pomeroy back to Washington, D.C., to represent us.

With YOUR HELP we can jump into the campaign season organized and ready to win elections all over the state.

If you are interested in becoming a Neighborhood Volunteer or would just like to know more about the program, please contact me by e-mail (greenwoodg@dnc.org) or call me at the Kennedy Center at 701-255-0460.

I look forward to hearing from you and meeting you all as we work throughout the campaign season and into November.

Geoff Greenwood, Field Director

The Forum Praises Sen. Dorgan

Via The Forum's Web site...

Forum Editorial
The Forum

PRAIRIE ROSES: To Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and other state and federal officials who pushed for a comprehensive scientific assessment of the oil reserve potential of the Bakken Formation in North Dakota and Montana. The study by the U.S. Geological Survey was released last week, and its findings are amazing. It looks like the formation holds an estimated 3.65 billion barrels of oil, 1.85 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 148 million barrels of natural gas liquids. It’s nothing short of a world-class reserve of energy, right under North Dakota. New exploration and recovery technologies make tapping the formation economically viable. While there is plenty of drilling and pumping activity under way in parts of the Bakken, last week’s news could spur much more. And because the reserves are so large, oil and natural gas activity could be sustained for many years. It’s good news for North Dakota and good news for the nation’s energy security.

Quick link...

Dem-NPL Announces Full Slate of Candidates

BISMARCK – The Democratic-NPL Party has announced that it has filled all candidate seats for the upcoming campaign season.

“This shows tremendous strength,” said party executive director Jamie Selzler. “We’ve been working tirelessly to recruit the best candidates possible to take back the state Capitol. Today, I’m happy to announce that every candidate seat has been filled.”

All even-numbered legislative districts are up for election this year. North Dakota has 47 districts. There is one senator and two representatives from each district.

At the party’s state convention last weekend, delegates endorsed Rep. Earl Pomeroy for U.S. House of Representatives, Sen. Tim Mathern for governor, Rep. Merle Boucher for lieutenant governor, Rep. Jasper Schneider for insurance commissioner, Cheryl Bergian for public service commissioner, Mitch Vance for treasurer and Daryl Splichal for auditor.

Last weekend’s endorsements fulfilled all federal and statewide candidate seats.

The filing deadline for the June Primary Election was today.

Sen. Clinton's Speech in N.D.

Sen. Obama's Speech in N.D.

Letter to the Editor by GF Mayor

Via the GF Herald's Web site...

IN THE MAIL: GF mayor: Congrats for a job well done
Grand Forks Herald
Michael Brown

GRAND FORKS — Thank you, Grand Forks Herald, for the on-target editorial about how well the historic events of this week have been and continue to be handled (“Well-run event got the Dems’ job done,” Page A4, April 5).

The “driving” analogy perfectly described the hard work that allowed the events to unfold without distraction to the passengers (event attendees). The North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party and its executive director, Jamie Selzler, deserve a huge congratulations and thank you from the community for a convention and an amazing experience we will not forget.

North Dakota Sens. Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan and Rep. Earl Pomeroy were instrumental in making the critical pieces fit together and again proving what they bring, literally, to our region and state.

Read on...

Photos of the Democratic Presidential Candidates in GF

Dem-NPL Delegates Overwhelmingly Endorse Daryl Splichal for State Auditor

GRAND FORKS - Delegates at the 2008 Democratic-NPL State Convention today overwhelmingly endorsed Daryl Splichal for state auditor.

“I have a strong background in auditing, and I look forward to putting those skills to work for the state of North Dakota,” Splichal said. “I will push to ensure we have the needed resources for the auditor’s office. I will also be a strong leader and supporter of the staff at the agency.”

Splichal has 23 years of internal auditing experience.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson State University and a master’s of business administration from North Dakota State University. He’s also attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Splichal was raised in Dickinson and now resides in Mandan. He is married to wife Mary and has two children.

The Democratic-NPL State Convention will end at 12:30 p.m. today.