Piepkorn files to run as Democratic-NPL governor candidate

BY: MICHAEL ACHTERLING - MARCH 22, 2024 12:47 PM

State Sen. Merrill Piepkorn, D-Fargo, is running for governor and will seek the endorsement of the Democratic-NPL Party during its state convention April 4-7. Piepkorn, assistant Senate minority leader, filed his candidacy paperwork with the Secretary of State’s Office on Tuesday.

The former Prairie Public radio personality turned lawmaker has represented the Fargo area in the state’s upper chamber since 2017. In a response to a request for comment, Piepkorn said he won’t be speaking to the press until his formal announcement event which is expected to take place April 2.

One of Piepkorn’s District 44 colleagues, Rep. Josh Boschee, D-Fargo, said Piepkorn travels the state extensively and loves getting out and talking with North Dakotans about the issues they are facing in their households.

“The man has committed his life to being involved in the state wherever he can,” Boschee said. “He’s North Dakota through and through.”

He describes Piepkorn politically as a moderate who has the ability to see all sides of an issue and find common ground, even when the term “compromise” has become a dirty word in today’s partisan climate.

“He loves telling the story of North Dakota,” he said. “And I think his run for governor is his opportunity to continue to be an advocate for this great state and the people that live here.” He added: “For me, he’s like hanging out with someone who is family.”

Boschee said he plans to seek the District 44 Dem-NPL endorsement for Piepkorn’s Senate seat during their local endorsing convention also on April 2.

Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, said Piepkorn is relatable to everyday North Dakotans and should be able to connect with voters on an everyday level like no other. “He knows music, he knows entertaining people, he knows storytelling and those are all really positive qualities for a candidate,” Mathern said.

He also said he thinks Piepkorn will be able to break through the negative branding Republicans have painted of North Dakota Democrats. “As far as I’m concerned, Merrill Piepkorn putting his hat into the ring is good news for everybody,” he said.

During the most recent legislative session, Piepkorn sponsored a bipartisan bill that was signed into law in April that eliminated licensing and fees for nonprofit organizations who build, or remodel, homes to be sold below their appraised value to low-income residents. He also co-sponsored a bill that would have provided $3 million in grants to fund organizations that provide services for people struggling with substance-use disorder or mental health disorders which failed on a 15-32 vote on the Senate floor.

Piepkorn serves on four interim committees including the Budget Section and Taxation Committee. He also serves on the Finance and Taxation, and Workforce Development standing committees. Adam Goldwyn, chair of the Dem-NPL, said he plans to let his party’s candidate endorsing process play out through the state convention, but Piepkorn does represent the values of the Dem-NPL party.

“Merrill Piepkorn has carried forward Dem-NPL values in the North Dakota Senate for many years and has always stood for working North Dakotans, for working families and for the people in Fargo as well as people across the state in farming and ranching,” Goldwyn said. “We’re looking forward to a competitive gubernatorial primary for the Dem-NPL party.”