Young North Dakota lawmakers form nonpartisan caucus ‘because it’s the right thing to do’

As part of a national initiative, young North Dakota lawmakers will come together over issues they can agree on instead of fighting over those they cannot.

By Peyton Haug | Inforum

BISMARCK — A nonpartisan coalition is aiming to dismantle the nationwide rise in polarized politics by uniting a minority group of elected leaders — young state lawmakers.

Targeting those in their early 20s to late 40s, the Future Caucus brings together millennial and Generation Z legislators, Republican and Democrat, with the goal of returning compromise to the lawmaking process and renewing people’s faith in their elected officials.

Since its fruition in 2013, the Washington, D.C.-based initiative has encompassed nearly 2,000 state and federal lawmakers, with more than 400 active members between 36 states — now including Rep. Dawson Holle, R-Mandan; Rep. Jayme Davis, D-Rolette; Sen. Claire Cory, R-Grand Forks; and Sen. Ryan Braunberger, D-Fargo.

“Oftentimes, when a bill gets introduced, we see the party label before we see the person or the idea. That is not how government should work,” Holle said during a press conference on Tuesday, April 1. “We help our neighbors — not because of political affiliation, but because it’s the right thing to do.”

Despite receiving some backlash on social media for joining the group, Holle said he has been “overwhelmed” with support from members of the legislative assembly.

Being part of the national caucus comes with a sense of general camaraderie from young lawmakers in other states, as well as access to resources like media training and policy research, members said while launching the caucus.

Finding common ground on topics that “shouldn’t” be partisan is what inspired North Dakota’s lawmakers to join, a sentiment each of them shared during Tuesday’s press conference. Their focus is to find solutions to myriad issues, from supporting the state’s Indigenous communities to regulating North Dakota’s towering agriculture and energy industries. 

“It’s about building relationships across the aisle,” Davis said. “We don’t have to agree on everything to agree that North Dakota’s future is worth working for.”

While the newly formed North Dakota chapter narrows down which issues to collaborate on ahead of future legislative sessions, individual members are encouraging their colleagues to consider joining.

President and CEO of Future Caucus Layla Zaidane said it takes “real courage and leadership” to set aside political differences and form such an alliance. 

“I think that is the solution to combat some of the maybe warped reality that you see on social media,” she added. “It doesn’t really reflect all the hard, good work that happens right here in North Dakota and legislatures across the country.

“North Dakota has a long tradition of leaders who put people above politics, who focus on real solutions rather than partisan fights,” Zaidane said. “We’re not bringing in outside priorities, but really amplifying amazing leadership that’s already here.”