ABOUT MERRILL

Hometown: Stanley, Mountrail County, ND

Family: I moved to Fargo with family during my elementary school years. I am married to Connie and we enjoy our family time with son Max daughter-in-law Käri, and two beautiful granddaughters.

Education:

  • Fargo North High School

  • Concordia College, Moorhead - Bachelor’s in Speech, Communication, & Theatre Arts

  • River Basin Auction School, Bismarck, ND

Legislative Experience:

  • ND State Senator - District 44, 2017-present

  • Assistant Minority Leader - ND State Senate, 2023-present

  • Current Committee Member - Employment, Energy & Natural Resources, Finance & Taxation, Joint Committee on Information Technology

  • Former Committee Member - Agriculture, Human Services, Industry, Business & Labor, Joint Committee on Energy Development & Transmission

Business Experience:

  • Prairie Airwaves Inc., 2009-present

  • Part-time working musician, 1986-present

  • Full-time working musician, 1974-1986

  • Prairie Public Broadcasting, 2000-2016

  • S&S Promotional Group, 1998-2000

  • Freelance/studies, 1994-1998

  • Charpentier Hovland Advertising, 1992-1994

  • KDLM Radio - Detroit Lakes, 1984-1992

Community Involvement:

  • Horace Mann Area Neighborhood Association - Vice President

  • Messiah Lutheran Church - Member/Volunteer

  • The Hour of Worship Telecast Board - Vice President

  • Meals on Wheels - Volunteer

  • Youth sports coach

  • Various parent/teacher/school organizations - Member