North Dakota

Growing up on a farm near Casselton, Michael Howe never imagined his family’s dinner conversations would inspire an initiative he would later launch as North Dakota’s secretary of state.

“My parents, I would say, are very civically engaged, and I grew up talking about policy at the kitchen table. My parents never ran for office, but we had the 6 o’clock news on during dinner, and you would hear about the events of the day,” he says.

Now, Howe encourages other North Dakotans to understand the benefits of those types of dinner table conversations.

As part of its commitment to informing voters, North Dakota Living introduces readers to candidates seeking statewide office.

For the 2026 general election, North Dakota Living asked candidates in certain statewide races, including the U.S. House of Representatives and North Dakota Public Service Commission, to respond to two questions.

Besides the statewide races highlighted in this issue, voters will see legislative, county and local races on their ballots Nov. 3.

When North Dakotans vote in the Nov. 3 general election, they’ll decide more than who will represent them in office. They'll also vote on two proposed amendments to the North Dakota Constitution.

A constitutional measure proposes a change to the North Dakota Constitution. If approved by voters, the amendment becomes part of the state's governing document.

After spending decades of his life in public service, former Gov. Ed Schafer believes the future of American democracy depends less on what happens in Washington, D.C., and more on what happens between neighbors.

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Schafer believes restoring civility can strengthen democracy. He says it begins around the kitchen table, in churches, community organizations and small towns, where people learn not only to understand differing opinions, but welcome them.

As America marks its 250th anniversary, North Dakota will celebrate a milestone of its own with the grand opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library July 4 in Medora.

Built within the buttes of the Badlands, the library showcases Theodore Roosevelt's character and vision, and tells the story of the nation’s 26th president who influenced conservation, preservation of public lands and true American leadership.

FEEDING THE WORLD
Matt Perdue, president, North Dakota Farmers Union

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, North Dakota joins the nation in commemorating the people, places and traditions that have shaped our country. As one of 50 states, North Dakota has its own collection of official symbols that reflect the landscapes, wildlife, agriculture and history that make our state unique.

This summer, take a road trip through 250 years of history without ever leaving North Dakota.

On July 1, “ND 250 Road Trip: Our American Story” opens in the Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives Governors Gallery at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck. The exhibit traces the state’s history from 1776 to 2026.

From the rolling row crops in the east to the rugged wheatfields of the west, North Dakota’s electric cooperatives have a top priority for everyone in the field: ensuring every farmer returns home safely.

Power lines are necessary to deliver electricity to hardworking farmers and ranchers, but those same power lines can be deadly if not treated with respect. While farmers need to focus on the field and their machinery, your local electric cooperative urges you to also watch for electrical hazards.