INFORMATION ON KEY REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES FOR NORTH DAKOTA UNITED MEMBERS
As we approach the June 14th primary election, we wanted to be sure to share pertinent information about the candidates in key Republican primaries if you are planning to vote on the Republican ballot.
Below, we have shared voting records, where applicable, and have also shared answers from candidates who took the time to fill out our candidate questionnaire so that you can know where they stand on issues critical to North Dakota United members.
See the Candidate Responses
Legislative Candidate Survey Questions:
1) Pensions: North Dakota United strongly supports the continuation of the Defined Benefit retirement for teachers (TFFR) and public employees (NDPERS). These plans provide a secure and fair retirement for all public employees while benefiting local economies, and offering the taxpayers of North Dakota an efficient investment. Would you oppose legislation that threatens the continuation of Defined Benefit retirement plans for North Dakota’s current and future public and education employees?
2) Vouchers: North Dakota United opposes using public funds to support nonpublic education. We believe that all children in North Dakota are entitled to a high-quality education that meets their diverse needs regardless of ability or disability or religious affiliation. Further, we believe that the only way to accomplish and maintain that quality for all North Dakota students is through a well-funded system of public education that is able to attract and retain high-quality educators and resources specific to the individual needs of all children. This requires that we dedicate the financial resources available to us to advance public education for all children. Would you oppose legislation that would allow the use of vouchers or tax credits to fund nonpublic education North Dakota?
3) Salaries: In order to recruit and retain quality employees for the purpose of providing efficient and high-quality service to the people of North Dakota, it is imperative that we compensate our public employees fairly. In their recently completed Legislative Session in South Dakota, the Republican-controlled body appropriated for a 6% increase in state worker and teacher salaries. With inflation at a 40-year high, a state budget that is in good health, and several years of small or no increases in salary, would you support a 5% increase for K-12 and state agencies salaries during the upcoming biennium?
4) Curriculum: School curriculum transparency demands have been in the news in many states including legislative proposals in at least a dozen states that would require teachers to submit lesson plans, assignments, class readings, tests, and all class material to a public database. What types of information do you feel need to be shared with the community to be transparent but also not place unrealistic barriers on student experiences and added burdens to already exhausted educators?
5) Other: Any other pertinent information that you would like the members of North Dakota United to know about you or your candidacy?
District 7 House
Retha Mattern
Question 1: Would you oppose legislation that threatens the continuation of Defined Benefit retirement plans for North Dakota’s current and future public and education employees?
“Yes.”
Question 2: Would you oppose legislation that would allow the use of vouchers or tax credits to fund nonpublic education North Dakota?
“Possibly. There is a lot nuance in here. I agree that the public schools system must be well funded, and it is not currently so. I do not support vouchers that would shift resources from public school funds to non-public education, however would not be opposed to looking at ideas such as tax-free savings accounts used for parents saving for a private school education.”
Question 3: Would you support a 5% increase for K-12 and state agencies salaries during the upcoming biennium?
“I support looking at needed and long overdue raises. Salaries for public employees are too low. The state needs to retain a qualified and competent workforce in order to effectively and efficiently operate. 5% might not even be adequate for many positions or roles.”
Question 4: What types of information do you feel need to be shared with the community to be transparent but also not place unrealistic barriers on student experiences and added burdens to already exhausted educators?
“Asking teachers to provide lesson plans a year in advance for a class they don’t even have is like asking a doctor to prescribe all medications a patient will need for a year in the future when they haven’t even met the patient. It’s unrealistic. I’d like to hear from teachers and educators at different levels about what they typically provide or would be able to provide without added burden before committing to specific types of information.”
Other: “As a state employee at a higher ed institution and as a parent with two children in public school, I understand many of the concerns and issues in the public eye, and experience them from a viewpoint unique to most legislators. I see the number of people involved in making a child’s classroom successful. It’s not just teachers, but administration, paraprofessionals, aides, and more. Investing in education will alleviate a lot of unnecessary expenses for society in the long term.”
Retha Mattern has no legislative voting record.
Rep. Jason Dockter
- Rep. Jason Dockter did not respond to the ND United survey.
- He had a 23% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2019 session and a 34% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2021 legislative session.
- Voted wrong on pensions (HB 1209, SB 2046) and voted wrong on vouchers (HB 1281, HB 1369) during the 2021 legislative session.
Matt Heilman
- Matt Heilman did not respond to the ND United survey.
- Supports implementing statutory penalties against teachers accused of “teaching CRT”.
- Wants to “end political activism and teaching of gender ideology in North Dakota classrooms”.
- Hopes to implement required reporting for all k-12 schools and universities where educators must upload all teaching materials for pubic review.
- He has no legislative voting record.
District 8 House
Mike Berg
- Mike Berg did not respond to the ND United survey.
- He has no legislative voting record.
Scott McCarthy
- Scott McCarthy did not respond to the ND United survey.
- He has no legislative voting record.
SuAnn Olson
- SuAnn Olson did not respond to the ND United survey.
- She has no legislative voting record.
Brandon Prichard
- Brandon Prichard did not respond to the ND United survey.
- He has no legislative voting record.
District 15 Senate
Sen. Dave Oehlke
Question 1: Would you oppose legislation that threatens the continuation of Defined Benefit retirement plans for North Dakota’s current and future public and education employees
“Our defined benefit plan is a good solid plan as long as we keep working to fund its longevity. We have done that on occasion the past sessions, and making sure we can support our state employees is critical to our success. In some cases, I have noticed plans offering new employees an option of the defined benefit plan or a more modern approach, similar to a 401K. Either way, we want to make sure our employees in these plans are getting the best results… so, let’s keep on top of our retirement strategies for the good of all!”
Question 2: Would you oppose legislation that would allow the use of vouchers or tax credits to fund nonpublic education North Dakota?
“The State of North Dakota is responsible for making sure public education is available to all our K-12 children. The water gets too murky when we try to make concessions for other non-state supported institutions.”
Question 3: Would you support a 5% increase for K-12 and state agencies salaries during the upcoming biennium?
“We certainly need to do what we can to allow our state workers the chance to earn a favorable wage. We brag all the time about our great health insurance and retirement benefits – it would be nice to be able to brag about great wages as well.“
He had a 63% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2019 session and a 73% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2021 legislative session.
Voted right on pensions (SB 2046) and voted right on vouchers (HB 1281, HB 1369, SB 2288) during the 2021 legislative session
Judy Estenson
- Judy Estenson did not respond to the ND United survey.
- She has no legislative voting record.
District 15 House
Rep. Dennis Johnson
Question 1: Would you oppose legislation that threatens the continuation of Defined Benefit retirement plans for North Dakota’s current and future public and education employees?
“Yes.”
Question 2: Would you oppose legislation that would allow the use of vouchers or tax credits to fund nonpublic education North Dakota?
“I have a voting record and will always oppose public money going to non-public schools.”
Question 3: Would you support a 5% increase for K-12 and state agencies salaries during the upcoming biennium?
“I would if the money is there.”
Question 4: What types of information do you feel need to be shared with the community to be transparent but also not place unrealistic barriers on student experiences and added burdens to already exhausted educators?
“What we see in the news I believe is occurring in other states. North Dakota teachers should be proud of the job they are doing and maintain the communication with the parents they work with and we won’t be in the news.”
Other: “I have been on the Education committee for thirty years and have always tried to keep the educators and students in mind when I have to go on record with a vote. The representation NDEA and North Dakota United has had over the years has made our job easier.”
He had a 30% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2019 session and a 61% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2021 legislative session.
Voted wrong on pensions (SB 2046) and voted right on vouchers (HB 1281, HB 1369).
Rep. Greg Westlind
Question 1: Would you oppose legislation that threatens the continuation of Defined Benefit retirement plans for North Dakota’s current and future public and education employees?
“No.”
Question 2: Would you oppose legislation that would allow the use of vouchers or tax credits to fund nonpublic education North Dakota?
“Yes.”
Question 3: Would you support a 5% increase for K-12 and state agencies salaries during the upcoming biennium?
“Undecided.”
Question 4: What types of information do you feel need to be shared with the community to be transparent but also not place unrealistic barriers on student experiences and added burdens to already exhausted educators?
“None.”
He had a 39% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2019 session and a 58% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2021 legislative session.
Voted wrong on pensions (SB 2046) and voted right on vouchers (HB 1281, HB 1369).
Kathy Frelich
- Kathy Frelich did not respond to the ND United survey.
- She has no legislative voting record.
District 19 House
Alex Bata
Question 1: Would you oppose legislation that threatens the continuation of Defined Benefit retirement plans for North Dakota’s current and future public and education employees?
“Yes. The program is vital to recruit and retain qualified personnel. I believe this may be the biggest draw for people to work for the state.“
Question 2: Would you oppose legislation that would allow the use of vouchers or tax credits to fund nonpublic education North Dakota?
“My district only has public institutions and I intend to protect funding for those institutions.”
Question 3: Would you support a 5% increase for K-12 and state agencies salaries during the upcoming biennium?
“I would like to see more information on this, as it pertains to exact dollars used, a 5% increase seems very fair, if not light, for lower-level public employees. I believe administrators are already paid plenty and may not require a raise.“
Question 4: What types of information do you feel need to be shared with the community to be transparent but also not place unrealistic barriers on student experiences and added burdens to already exhausted educators?
“Being transparent seems easy, however in many rural schools we have teachers teaching 7 different classes a day. They have to plan these out which already require more work than should be expected of them, publishing these details only will create more work for the overworked. I strongly disagree with the notion of having cameras placed in classrooms for the parents to watch teachers. We need to just let teachers do what they do best and limit the other objectives, let’s let them teach.”
Other: “As the son of a teacher, and friend of many others, I have taken the time to visits schools and try to understand the efforts and stresses on our teachers. Although we have not been able to come up with a solve all solution, I look to NDU for guidance on the issues pertaining to education and public employees. I look forward to helping advance education in our state.”
He has no legislative voting record.
Rep. Dave Monson
Question 1: Would you oppose legislation that threatens the continuation of Defined Benefit retirement plans for North Dakota’s current and future public and education employees?
“I would like to keep the defined benefit plan, but if it continues to fall farther into the red, the time may have to come to look at moving to another plan. With increases in interest rates, it may rebound, but the stock market is not looking good now either. I can’t promise what I would end up doing for new teachers or employees, but I would never abandon those that are already in the system with defined benefits. We have a contract with them that cannot be broken. I will give it careful consideration to keep defined benefit if possible. but no guarantees for new employees or teachers.“
Question 2: Would you oppose legislation that would allow the use of vouchers or tax credits to fund nonpublic education North Dakota?
“Yes. Vouchers I will not support. Tax credits are something I would not likely consider, but I think a tax deduction for parents sending their kids to private school could be something that would be fair. We have an obligation to fund free and public education. If parents don’t choose to make use of it, that is something they choose to give up.”
Question 3: Would you support a 5% increase for K-12 and state agencies salaries during the upcoming biennium?
“I would consider it. It looks like our revenue is going to far exceed the forecast. 5% is not even going to keep up with inflation so is certainly reasonable. The increase in health insurance will have to be considered, but yes, 5% is reasonable. We need to keep our teachers and employees in the classrooms in ND.“
Question 4: What types of information do you feel need to be shared with the community to be transparent but also not place unrealistic barriers on student experiences and added burdens to already exhausted educators?
“I think it should be a local decision. It should not be required in state law. If I were still a school administrator, I would not make my teachers submit all that to a public database. I, as an administrator, would keep the parents in the loop and make sure there was communication between the parents, teachers, and administration to avoid problems like many states have. I do not believe Critical Race Theory should be taught, nor do I think gender identity needs to be taught to anyone. Talking about it in a high school psychology or sociology class as something to discuss and not avoid is OK, in my book, but every school needs to decide with input from parents, teachers, administrators, and school boards and not the state legislature.”
Other: “I feel I am a strong supporter of public education. We have good schools and dedicated teachers, for the most part. With teacher shortages and lowering some requirements, we are having more problems and lower test scores, but we still provide a good education. Obviously, Covid didn’t do us any good either. At least we kept our doors open and did pretty well. I believe we still have teachers with “ND values” and common sense just like our state employees. We have great employees or things would not be as good in ND as they are. We can be better, but we have lots of successes too.”
He had a 45% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2019 session and a 59% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2021 legislative session.
Voted wrong on pensions (SB 2046) and voted right on vouchers (HB 1281, HB 1369).
Karen Anderson
- Karen Anderson did not respond to the ND United survey.
- She has no legislative voting record.
Paul Stremick
- Paul Stremick did not respond to the ND United survey.
- He has no legislative voting record.
District 24 House
Rep. Cole Christensen
- Cole Christensen did not respond to the ND United survey.
- He had a 21% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2021 legislative session.
- Voted wrong on pensions (SB 2046) and voted wrong on vouchers (HB 1281, HB 1369).
Rep. Dwight Kiefert
- Dwight Kiefert did not respond to the ND United survey.
- He had a 31% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2019 session and a 31% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2021 legislative session.
- Voted wrong on pensions (SB 2046) and voted wrong on vouchers (HB 1281, HB 1369).
Rep. Phillip Kleymann
- Phillip Kleymann did not respond to the ND United survey.
- He has no legislative voting record.
Rep. Cynthia Schreiber-Beck
Question 1: Would you oppose legislation that threatens the continuation of Defined Benefit retirement plans for North Dakota’s current and future public and education employees?
“As is known, the Defined Benefit & Defined Contribution (that is also currently available) Plans are being studied by a legislative committee. There will be no change for those who wish to continue in the Defined Benefit Plan (which I support). The questions for me are: Will legislation threaten or improve a retirement plan for teachers and state employees? What type of a retirement plan will be more attractive to future employees? What type of plan will make ND more competitive with other states? I have not responded with a yes or no to the question since it would be premature until the results of the study are known.“
Question 2: Would you oppose legislation that would allow the use of vouchers or tax credits to fund nonpublic education North Dakota?
“Yes.”
Question 3: Would you support a 5% increase for K-12 and state agencies salaries during the upcoming biennium?
“Yes, given the parameters outlined above.“
Question 4: What types of information do you feel need to be shared with the community to be transparent but also not place unrealistic barriers on student experiences and added burdens to already exhausted educators?
“A suggestion (since I would not be an advocate of a data base): if this is an issue in the community, advertise that basic class materials will be on display at parent-teacher conferences; also offer the opportunity for parents to visit the media center and/or their child’s classroom(s). Additionally, this issue should be left to local control. ”
Other: “As a former speech and language pathologist I am an advocate for providing learning opportunities for children prior to kindergarten. I have served on the education committee since my first session in 2015 and also on the interim education committee. Additionally, I have served on a number of organized committees with topics that include: a review of testing, developing the strategic vision for education in North Dakota, studying personalized competency-based learning, mental health, and teacher retention. Public education is critical to developing a workforce and educators are a key to the success of North Dakota. ”
he had a 45% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2019 session and a 77% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2021 legislative session.
Voted wrong on pensions (SB 2046) and voted right on vouchers (HB 1281, HB 1369).
Sen. Jason Heitkamp
- Jason Heitkamp did not respond to the ND United survey.
- He had a 23% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2021 legislative session.
- Voted wrong on pensions (SB 2046) and voted wrong on vouchers (HB 1281, HB 1369).
Rep. Kathy Skroch
- Kathy Skroch did not respond to the ND United survey.
- She had a 16% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2019 legislative session and a 16% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2021 legislative session.
- Voted wrong on pensions (SB 2046) and voted wrong on vouchers (HB 1281, HB 1369).
Sen. Robert Erbele
- Robert Erbele did not respond to the ND United survey.
- He had a 59% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2019 session and a 53% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2021 legislative session.
- Voted right on pensions (SB 2046) and voted right on vouchers (HB 1281, SB 2288).
Rep. Sebastian Ertelt
- Sebastian Ertelt did not respond to the ND United survey.
- He had a 13% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2019 session and a 9% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2021 legislative session.
- Voted wrong on pensions (SB 2046) and voted wrong on vouchers (HB 1281, SB 2288).
Jim Grueneich
Question 1: Would you oppose legislation that threatens the continuation of Defined Benefit retirement plans for North Dakota’s current and future public and education employees?
“Yes.“
Question 2: Would you oppose legislation that would allow the use of vouchers or tax credits to fund nonpublic education North Dakota?
“Yes.”
Question 3: Would you support a 5% increase for K-12 and state agencies salaries during the upcoming biennium?
“Yes.“
Question 4: What types of information do you feel need to be shared with the community to be transparent but also not place unrealistic barriers on student experiences and added burdens to already exhausted educators?
“I don’t believe a public database is the right approach, just as I feel a one size fits all approach to education is not the answer, in rural North Dakota and district 28 our teachers/principals and superintendent probably know every student and their families. I personally believe the current process is working quite well.”
Other: “The faculty in public education are doing a great job, I have in the past and will continue to fight if re-elected for public education and provide them with the funds and resources they need to continue to be successful.”
He had a 29% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2019 session.
Rep. Mike Brandenburg
- Did not respond to the ND United survey.
- He had a 21% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2019 session and a 47% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2021 legislative session.
- Voted wrong on pensions (SB 2046) and voted right on vouchers (HB 1281, HB 1369)
Sam Leppert
- Did not respond to the ND United survey.
- He has no legislative voting record.
Josh Loegering
- Did not respond to the ND United survey.
- He has no legislative voting record.
Sen. Jessica Bell
Question 1: Would you oppose legislation that threatens the continuation of Defined Benefit retirement plans for North Dakota’s current and future public and education employees?
“I would consider all benefits of the legislation proposed, no matter the outcome. It’s important we provide our educators with the retirement they deserve after the service they provide to our children, and any decision I make regarding that topic would have the teachers as my priority.“
Question 2: Would you oppose legislation that would allow the use of vouchers or tax credits to fund nonpublic education North Dakota?
“The residents of District 33 have very little access to nonpublic schools, as most of our small towns rely solely on public education. Historically, I’ve supported a balance of tax credits for nonpublic education and fully funding our public schools. This approach represents the needs of District 33.”
Question 3: Would you support a 5% increase for K-12 and state agencies salaries during the upcoming biennium?
“Absolutely our teachers need a raise. Our teacher shortage is a real problem, especially in our small communities. Providing our teachers with the compensation they deserve has always been a priority of mine. Balancing those priorities with tax relief is a priority of mine for the upcoming session.“
Question 4: What types of information do you feel need to be shared with the community to be transparent but also not place unrealistic barriers on student experiences and added burdens to already exhausted educators?
“As a state legislator, I don’t know what’s happening in each classroom across our state, but I do know the concerns of parents in my district. I think these issues belong in the hands of our local leaders – our parents should be able to influence what materials are in the classrooms and have access to that information, and the local school board is best-equipped to handle these types of issues.”
Other: “As the only returning mother of school-age children in the Senate, ensuring the education funding formula is meeting the needs of our teachers and providing them with what they need to provide our children with a top-notch education is a priority of mine. I will always listen to any concerns, and do my best to find the best public policy to address them.”
She had a 59% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2019 legislative session and a 50% voting record with North Dakota United in the 2021 legislative session.
Voted right on pensions (SB 2046) and voted right on vouchers (HB 1281, SB 2288).
Keith Boehm
- Did not respond to the ND United survey.
- He has no legislative voting record.
Sean Cleary
Question 1: Would you oppose legislation that threatens the continuation of Defined Benefit retirement plans for North Dakota’s current and future public and education employees?
“I support competitive and sustainable retirement plans for public employees and teachers. Any changes to the current DB retirement plan need to maintain that goal. I would not support legislation that would transition from a DB plan if it adversely affects current workers or retirees, threatens the state and schools’ ability to recruit and retain a talented workforce, or is irresponsible with current and future taxpayer dollars.“
Question 2: Would you oppose legislation that would allow the use of vouchers or tax credits to fund nonpublic education North Dakota?
“I would oppose any legislation that takes money from our public school system to fund vouchers or tax credits. I am open to the targeted use of vouchers or tax credits if they come with standards directing how money is being spent to ensure the quality use of taxpayers’ dollars. I would oppose any legislation that did not guarantee the funds were being properly used. While I support expanding educational options for more students and parents, this cannot come at the quality or expense of our public school system.“
Question 3: Would you support a 5% increase for K-12 and state agencies salaries during the upcoming biennium?
“I support competitive raises – along with total compensation packages – for K-12 and state employees to ensure we can attract and retain a quality workforce. In order to effectively serve the citizens of North Dakota, we need to have competitive compensation and supportive work environments for those who choose to work in public service.”
Question 4: What types of information do you feel need to be shared with the community to be transparent but also not place unrealistic barriers on student experiences and added burdens to already exhausted educators?
“I support transparency between teachers and parents on what is being taught in the classroom. I do not support proposals that would attempt to micromanage teachers’ work. To the extent that more information is requested by the broader public beyond what is already normally available, those conversations should begin at the local school board level first. Any additional regulations should not detract teachers from their goal of educating students.”
Other: “As someone who has worked in the public sector in the past, I understand the importance of making sure the state is compensating employees competitively and fostering a positive work environment. Our education system is fundamental to the future success of our state and will be a priority for me in the Legislature. I will strive to be accessible, deliberate, and responsive in office, and I am grateful for your consideration of my campaign. Thank you.”
He has no legislative voting record.
Ryan Eckroth
- Did not respond to the ND United survey.
- He has no legislative voting record.