North Dakota Democratic NPL Party
Encyclopedia
The North Dakota Democratic-Nonpartisan League Party (abbreviated Democratic-NPL, Dem-NPL or DNL) is the North Dakota
affiliate of the Democratic Party
of the United States
. This political organization is the outcome of a merger of two parties prior to which the state enjoyed a three-party political system.
of American history. Led by lawyers, merchants, editors, and professors, progressives of the time joined both the Republican Party
, which had strong control of state politics, as well as the state Democratic Party
, the progressive faction of which called itself "the party of the laborer and the farmer." Although their cooperation did not impair North Dakota's staunch allegiance to the Republican Party, progressives found some support in the Norwegian-settled eastern portion of the state. By 1906, Progressive roots were growing in opposition to what many saw as complete control of state politics by the railroads of the day. The initial organization and calls for reform laid a foundation that soon would grow into a statewide socialist movement of workers.
in 1906. Alexander McKenzie
's conservative political machine
controlled the Senate, but the House of Representatives was filled with progressive Democrats and Republicans, who managed to introduce many anti-railroad bills against staunch opposition by lobbyists. Many Progressive legislation and reforms were passed during this time, including a direct primary law
, a joint resolution for a constitutional amendment for the initiative
and referendum power of the people, a public library
commission law, and laws to enforce prohibition. Subsequent years would prove the end of Alexander McKenzie and his Republican political machine. By 1908, the first State electoral primaries solidified his retirement. That year the Republican Party, free from McKenzie's conservative influence, crafted an extremely progressive party platform. Progressive Democratic Governor John Burke remained in position with Republican votes.
North Dakota again proved its progressive sympathies in 1912. This year the state held the first United States Presidential Preference Primary
on March 19. North Dakota Republicans favored progressive presidential candidate Robert M. La Follette
over Theodore Roosevelt
and William Howard Taft
. Despite an angry Roosevelt forming the Progressive Party after losing the nomination to Taft, he had little support from North Dakota, where many Progressives distrusted his backers, George Walbridge Perkins of the J.P. Morgan group and International Harvester
. Because of such opposition, Woodrow Wilson
carried the state in November. Republican Louis B. Hanna was elected governor in 1912 and 1914. Once in office, he and his legislative allies halted the creation of a state-operated grain elevator, which may have convinced progressives to unite in 1915.
in 1915, he saw strife between a conservative legislature and farmers' interest groups. With his background in organizing farmers for the Socialist Party, Socialist activity had begun in North Dakota in 1900 when Arthur Basset organized a socialist club in Fargo. Townley brought his expertise to North Dakota. He knew that with the recent strife in Bismarck between a conservative legislature and the American Society of Equity
and its farm following, the time was ripe for a political revolution. Townley resolved to organize the farmers, so that they could control the primaries, whether it be Republicans or Democrats or both. This was the organization of the Farmers Nonpartisan League (later called the National Nonpartisan League). Townley organized the farmers of the state together for united action in nominating at the primaries and electing at the polls the men of their own choosing and men who would carry out their programs.
The Method of Organization was simple, scientific and successful. Organizers carefully went forth in ever increasing numbers to sell the idea to the farmers and to get their support for the new movement. The league grew in leaps and bounds. The first members were pledged in February 1915. Before midsummer, there were 10,000 members, and before winter set-in, there were 26,000 names enrolled.
The Nonpartisan League membership pledge was $2.50 a year, it later rose to nine dollars a year. The goals of the league were to use their collective best efforts to secure the nomination and election of men for office within the state. Men whom the investigations of the League have show by conviction, record and conduct do approve and will support legislation necessary for the purpose of saving millions of dollars each year for the farmer and were to be nominated and elected to carry out of the league program.
The League Program was concise and to the point. It consisted of five planks, as follows:
Each was designed to remedy what the farmers conceived as an abuse, and each was to lower the cost of producing and marketing grain.
The determination of the league fulfilled their pledge and many of their planks passed legislation. The growth of far left sympathies was on the rise in North Dakota. The Socialists had considerable success. They brought in many outside speakers; Eugene V. Debs
spoke at a large antiwar rally at Garrison in 1915. By 1912, there were 175 Socialist locals in the state. Rugby and Hillsboro elected Socialist mayors. The party had even established a weekly paper, the Iconoclast
, in Minot, North Dakota
.
Throughout the decades, the League pushed for the establishments of State operated mills, elevators, and banks. While the state was not entirely isolationist, just as it was neither entirely liberal nor entirely conservative. By 1952, the Non-partisan league was itself divided.
. Those that called themselves insurgents aligned liberally with pro-farmers’ union, pro-organized labor, and pro-Democratic party groups. The Insurgents wanted to take the league into the Democratic Party. In 1952, the “insurgents” formed the Volunteers for Stevenson Committee, to help elect then Democratic Candidate Adlai Stevenson
. To the contrary the members of the old guard, also known as the Capitol Crowd, were more conservative, anti-farmers’ union, antilabor, and pro-Republican segment of the league, these members wanted to keep the Nonpartisan league in the Republican Party; they supported Dwight D. Eisenhower
in the 1952 presidential race. Over the next four years legislative polarization grew and the nonpartisan league party eventually split in two, in 1956 North Dakota was fundamentally realigned into a two party system. That year, the Nonpartisan league finally moved into the Democratic Party, and all Republicans joined in one organization. Two statewide parties vied for the votes of North Dakota citizens. Creation of the Democratic Nonpartisan League Party was codified in March during the League Convention, 173 to 3 voted yes to file candidates in the Democratic column. The new party introduced a full slate of candidates for state office and adopted a liberal platform that included the repeal of the Taft–Hartley Act, creation of a minimum $1.25 an hour wage, and a graduated land tax on property worth $20,000 or more. Two months later in May 1956 the Democratic Convention accepted the Nonpartisan League’s candidates and adopted its platform. Republicans in North Dakota also united after conservative supports broke away from the league.
Although the Democratic Party was still the minority, the number of Democrats in the state legislature increased greatly. Before the league moved into the Democratic Party, there were only five Democrats among the 162 members of both houses of the legislature in 1955. In 1957 the number grew to 28, 1959 the numbers continued to grow reaching 67, despite a drop to 62 members in 1961, nevertheless, for the first time in history, North Dakota was becoming a two-party state.
The 25 members are as follows:
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
affiliate of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. This political organization is the outcome of a merger of two parties prior to which the state enjoyed a three-party political system.
History
The North Dakota Democratic-Nonpartisan League Party has roots in the Progressive EraProgressive Era
The Progressive Era in the United States was a period of social activism and political reform that flourished from the 1890s to the 1920s. One main goal of the Progressive movement was purification of government, as Progressives tried to eliminate corruption by exposing and undercutting political...
of American history. Led by lawyers, merchants, editors, and professors, progressives of the time joined both the Republican Party
North Dakota Republican Party
The North Dakota Republican Party is the North Dakota affiliate of the United States Republican Party. The party platform is generally conservative.The North Dakota Republican Party is strongly in control of the state's politics...
, which had strong control of state politics, as well as the state Democratic Party
North Dakota Democratic Party
The North Dakota Democratic Party was a political party in North Dakota that existed from the state's formation in 1889 until 1956, when the party merged with the Non Partisan League to form the modern North Dakota Democratic NPL Party....
, the progressive faction of which called itself "the party of the laborer and the farmer." Although their cooperation did not impair North Dakota's staunch allegiance to the Republican Party, progressives found some support in the Norwegian-settled eastern portion of the state. By 1906, Progressive roots were growing in opposition to what many saw as complete control of state politics by the railroads of the day. The initial organization and calls for reform laid a foundation that soon would grow into a statewide socialist movement of workers.
1906 through 1915
The next nine years were marked by a series of revolutionary progressive successes, starting with John Burke's election to governorGovernor of North Dakota
The Governor of North Dakota is the chief executive of North Dakota. The current Governor is Jack Dalrymple. The Governor has the right to sign and laws, and to call the Legislative Assembly, into emergency session. The Governor is also chairman of the North Dakota Industrial Commission. The...
in 1906. Alexander McKenzie
Alexander McKenzie (American politician)
Alexander John McKenzie was a politician in early North Dakota. He preferred not to serve in public office, but was highly influential in North Dakota and in neighboring Montana and Minnesota...
's conservative political machine
Political machine
A political machine is a political organization in which an authoritative boss or small group commands the support of a corps of supporters and businesses , who receive rewards for their efforts...
controlled the Senate, but the House of Representatives was filled with progressive Democrats and Republicans, who managed to introduce many anti-railroad bills against staunch opposition by lobbyists. Many Progressive legislation and reforms were passed during this time, including a direct primary law
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
, a joint resolution for a constitutional amendment for the initiative
Initiative
In political science, an initiative is a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote...
and referendum power of the people, a public library
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
commission law, and laws to enforce prohibition. Subsequent years would prove the end of Alexander McKenzie and his Republican political machine. By 1908, the first State electoral primaries solidified his retirement. That year the Republican Party, free from McKenzie's conservative influence, crafted an extremely progressive party platform. Progressive Democratic Governor John Burke remained in position with Republican votes.
North Dakota again proved its progressive sympathies in 1912. This year the state held the first United States Presidential Preference Primary
United States presidential primary
The series of presidential primary elections and caucuses is one of the first steps in the process of electing the President of the United States of America. The primary elections are run by state and local governments, while caucuses are private events run by the political parties...
on March 19. North Dakota Republicans favored progressive presidential candidate Robert M. La Follette
Robert M. La Follette
Robert M. La Follette is the name of:* Robert M. La Follette, Sr. , senator, congressman, governor of Wisconsin and candidate for President, * Robert M. La Follette, Jr. , his son, also a senator from Wisconsin...
over Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
and William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States and later the tenth Chief Justice of the United States...
. Despite an angry Roosevelt forming the Progressive Party after losing the nomination to Taft, he had little support from North Dakota, where many Progressives distrusted his backers, George Walbridge Perkins of the J.P. Morgan group and International Harvester
International Harvester
International Harvester Company was a United States agricultural machinery, construction equipment, vehicle, commercial truck, and household and commercial products manufacturer. In 1902, J.P...
. Because of such opposition, Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
carried the state in November. Republican Louis B. Hanna was elected governor in 1912 and 1914. Once in office, he and his legislative allies halted the creation of a state-operated grain elevator, which may have convinced progressives to unite in 1915.
Rise of the Non-Partisan League
When Arthur C. Townley came to Bismarck, North DakotaBismarck, North Dakota
Bismarck is the capital of the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Burleigh County. It is the second most populous city in North Dakota after Fargo. The city's population was 61,272 at the 2010 census, while its metropolitan population was 108,779...
in 1915, he saw strife between a conservative legislature and farmers' interest groups. With his background in organizing farmers for the Socialist Party, Socialist activity had begun in North Dakota in 1900 when Arthur Basset organized a socialist club in Fargo. Townley brought his expertise to North Dakota. He knew that with the recent strife in Bismarck between a conservative legislature and the American Society of Equity
American Society of Equity
The American Society of Equity was an American agricultural cooperative and political organization, founded in 1902, which aimed to organize farmers as a "Third Power" in the United States, able to compete with capital and organized labor on equal terms. Equity inspired the creation of many...
and its farm following, the time was ripe for a political revolution. Townley resolved to organize the farmers, so that they could control the primaries, whether it be Republicans or Democrats or both. This was the organization of the Farmers Nonpartisan League (later called the National Nonpartisan League). Townley organized the farmers of the state together for united action in nominating at the primaries and electing at the polls the men of their own choosing and men who would carry out their programs.
The Method of Organization was simple, scientific and successful. Organizers carefully went forth in ever increasing numbers to sell the idea to the farmers and to get their support for the new movement. The league grew in leaps and bounds. The first members were pledged in February 1915. Before midsummer, there were 10,000 members, and before winter set-in, there were 26,000 names enrolled.
The Nonpartisan League membership pledge was $2.50 a year, it later rose to nine dollars a year. The goals of the league were to use their collective best efforts to secure the nomination and election of men for office within the state. Men whom the investigations of the League have show by conviction, record and conduct do approve and will support legislation necessary for the purpose of saving millions of dollars each year for the farmer and were to be nominated and elected to carry out of the league program.
The League Program was concise and to the point. It consisted of five planks, as follows:
- State Owned and Operated elevators, flour mills, and packing plants
- State hail insurance
- Exemption of farm improvements from taxation
- Fair grain grades, based upon milling and baking values
- Rural Credits at cost
Each was designed to remedy what the farmers conceived as an abuse, and each was to lower the cost of producing and marketing grain.
The determination of the league fulfilled their pledge and many of their planks passed legislation. The growth of far left sympathies was on the rise in North Dakota. The Socialists had considerable success. They brought in many outside speakers; Eugene V. Debs
Eugene V. Debs
Eugene Victor Debs was an American union leader, one of the founding members of the International Labor Union and the Industrial Workers of the World , and several times the candidate of the Socialist Party of America for President of the United States...
spoke at a large antiwar rally at Garrison in 1915. By 1912, there were 175 Socialist locals in the state. Rugby and Hillsboro elected Socialist mayors. The party had even established a weekly paper, the Iconoclast
Iconoclast
An iconoclast is someone who engages in iconoclasm—destruction of religious symbols or, by extension, established dogma or conventions.Iconoclast may also refer to:...
, in Minot, North Dakota
Minot, North Dakota
Minot is a city located in north central North Dakota in the United States. It is most widely known for the Air Force base located approximately 15 miles north of the city. With a population of 40,888 at the 2010 census, Minot is the fourth largest city in the state...
.
Throughout the decades, the League pushed for the establishments of State operated mills, elevators, and banks. While the state was not entirely isolationist, just as it was neither entirely liberal nor entirely conservative. By 1952, the Non-partisan league was itself divided.
Toward a two-party system
Two factions divided the traditionally liberal Nonpartisan League, on one side the insurgents on the other the old guardOld guard
Old Guard may refer generally to a veteran or group of veterans, a conservative faction, or an older segment of a population...
. Those that called themselves insurgents aligned liberally with pro-farmers’ union, pro-organized labor, and pro-Democratic party groups. The Insurgents wanted to take the league into the Democratic Party. In 1952, the “insurgents” formed the Volunteers for Stevenson Committee, to help elect then Democratic Candidate Adlai Stevenson
Adlai Stevenson
Adlai Ewing Stevenson II was an American politician, noted for his intellectual demeanor, eloquent oratory, and promotion of liberal causes in the Democratic Party. He served as the 31st Governor of Illinois, and received the Democratic Party's nomination for president in 1952 and 1956; both times...
. To the contrary the members of the old guard, also known as the Capitol Crowd, were more conservative, anti-farmers’ union, antilabor, and pro-Republican segment of the league, these members wanted to keep the Nonpartisan league in the Republican Party; they supported Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
in the 1952 presidential race. Over the next four years legislative polarization grew and the nonpartisan league party eventually split in two, in 1956 North Dakota was fundamentally realigned into a two party system. That year, the Nonpartisan league finally moved into the Democratic Party, and all Republicans joined in one organization. Two statewide parties vied for the votes of North Dakota citizens. Creation of the Democratic Nonpartisan League Party was codified in March during the League Convention, 173 to 3 voted yes to file candidates in the Democratic column. The new party introduced a full slate of candidates for state office and adopted a liberal platform that included the repeal of the Taft–Hartley Act, creation of a minimum $1.25 an hour wage, and a graduated land tax on property worth $20,000 or more. Two months later in May 1956 the Democratic Convention accepted the Nonpartisan League’s candidates and adopted its platform. Republicans in North Dakota also united after conservative supports broke away from the league.
Although the Democratic Party was still the minority, the number of Democrats in the state legislature increased greatly. Before the league moved into the Democratic Party, there were only five Democrats among the 162 members of both houses of the legislature in 1955. In 1957 the number grew to 28, 1959 the numbers continued to grow reaching 67, despite a drop to 62 members in 1961, nevertheless, for the first time in history, North Dakota was becoming a two-party state.
Members of the State House
The Democratic-NPL Party fully represents 9 of North Dakota's 47 legislative districts in the House of Representatives with two members and shares representation with the Republicans in 7 additional districts, for a total of 25 Democratic-NPL house members.The 25 members are as follows:
| Representative | District |
|---|---|
| Tom Conklin | 4th |
| Kenton Onstad Kenton Onstad Kenton B. Onstad is a North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party member of the North Dakota House of Representatives, representing the 4th district since 2001. He currently serves as Assistant Minority Leader.-External links:* official ND Senate website... |
4th |
| Bob Hunskor | 6th |
| Tracy Boe Tracy Boe Tracy Boe is a North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party member of the North Dakota House of Representatives, representing the 9th district since 2003.-External links:* in the North Dakota Legislative Assembly* profile*Follow the Money - Tracy Boe... |
9th |
| Marvin E. Nelson | 9th |
| Ron Guggisberg | 11th |
| Scot Kelsh Scot Kelsh Scot Kelsh is a North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party member of the North Dakota House of Representatives, representing the 11th district since 1997.-External links:* official ND Senate website* profile*Follow the Money - Scot Kelsh... |
11th |
| Lyle Hanson Lyle Hanson Lyle L. Hanson is a North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party member of the North Dakota House of Representatives, representing the 12th district since 1979.-External links:* official ND Senate website* profile*Follow the Money - Lyle Hanson... |
12th |
| Joe Kroeber Joe Kroeber Joe T. Kroeber is a North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party member of the North Dakota House of Representatives, representing the 12th district since 1999. He previously served from 1991 through 1995.-External links:* official ND Senate website* profile... |
12th |
| Robert J. 'Tork' Kilichowski | 16th |
| Eliot Glassheim Eliot Glassheim Eliot Glassheim is a North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party member of the North Dakota House of Representatives, representing the 18th district since 1993. He served as a Representative previously in 1975. He obtained B.A. from Wesleyan University and a M.A. and Ph.D... |
18th |
| Lonny B. Winrich | 18th |
| Richard G. 'Rick' Holman | 20th |
| Lee A. Kaldor | 20th |
| Kathy L. Hogan | 21st |
| Steve Zaiser Steve Zaiser Steve Zaiser is a North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party member of the North Dakota House of Representatives, representing the 21st district since 2003.-External links:* official ND Senate website* profile*Follow the Money - Steve Zaiser... |
21st |
| Ralph Metcalf Ralph Metcalf Ralph Metcalf was an American lawyer and politician from Newport, New Hampshire. He served two terms as governor of New Hampshire.... |
24th |
| Phillip 'Phil' Mueller | 24th |
| Clark Williams Clark Williams Myron Clark Williams was an American banker and politician.-Life:... |
25th |
| Bill Amerman | 26th |
| Jerome G. 'Jerry' Kelsh | 26th |
| Shirley J. Meyer | 36th |
| Corey Mock Corey Mock Corey Ray Mock was first elected in 2008 to represent District 42 in the North Dakota House of Representatives. He is a member of the Democratic-NPL Party.- Biography :... |
42nd |
| Lois Delmore | 43rd |
| Ed Gruchalla Ed Gruchalla Ed Gruchalla is a North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party member of the North Dakota House of Representatives, representing the 45th district since 2007.-External links:* official ND House of Representatives website* profile... |
45th |
Members of the State Senate
The 12 members of the State Senate are as follows:| Senator | District |
|---|---|
| John Warner John Warner (North Dakota politician) John M. Warner is a North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party member of the North Dakota Senate, representing the 4th district since 2004. He was previously a member of the North Dakota House of Representatives from 1997 through 2003.-External links:... |
4th |
| David O'Connell | 6th |
| Ryan Taylor Ryan Taylor (North Dakota politician) Ryan M. Taylor is a North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party member of the North Dakota Senate, representing the 7th district since 2003. He has been the Senate Minority Leader since 2010.... |
7th |
| Richard Marcellais Richard Marcellais Richard Marcellais is a North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party member of the North Dakota Senate, representing the 9th district since 2007.In November 2008, Marcellais was voted in as the tribal chairman of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. He ran for re-election in the 2010 election, but... |
9th |
| Tim Mathern Tim Mathern Tim Mathern is a state senator in North Dakota. He also unsuccessfully ran for Governor of North Dakota in 2008.Mathern grew up on a dairy and grain farm near Edgeley, ND with 12 brothers and sisters. He attended public school in Edgeley before attending Cardinal Muench Seminary in Fargo... |
11th |
| Constance 'Connie' Triplett | 18th |
| Philip M. Murphy | 20th |
| Carolyn Nelson Carolyn Nelson (politician) Carolyn Nelson is a North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party member of the North Dakota Senate, representing the 21st district since 1994. She currently serves as Assistant Minority Leader... |
21st |
| Joan Heckaman Joan Heckaman Joan Heckaman is a North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party member of the North Dakota Senate, representing the 23rd district since 2007.-External links:* official ND Senate website* profile*Follow the Money - Joan Heckaman** campaign contributions... |
23rd |
| Larry J. Robinson | 24th |
| Jim Dotzenrod | 26th |
| Mac Schneider | 42nd |
Class I
- 1960-1992 Quentin N. BurdickQuentin N. BurdickQuentin Northrup Burdick was a United States Senator from North Dakota from August 8, 1960 until his death in 1992. Prior to that he had served in the United States House of Representatives from January 3, 1959 to August 8, 1960. He was the son of NPL North Dakota Congressman Usher L...
- 1992 Jocelyn BurdickJocelyn BurdickJocelyn Birch Burdick was a Democratic United States Senator briefly during 1992.Upon the death of her husband, Senator Quentin N. Burdick, Governor George Sinner appointed her to fill the vacancy until a special election was held...
- 1992-present Kent ConradKent ConradKent Conrad is the senior United States Senator from North Dakota. He is a member of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party, the North Dakota affiliate of the Democratic Party...
See also
- Politics of North DakotaPolitics of North DakotaThe Politics of North Dakota are modeled after that of the United States, whereby the Governor of North Dakota is both head of state and head of government. Executive power is exercised by the Governor, and Legislative power is vested in both chambers of the North Dakota Legislature; the House of...
- North Dakota Republican PartyNorth Dakota Republican PartyThe North Dakota Republican Party is the North Dakota affiliate of the United States Republican Party. The party platform is generally conservative.The North Dakota Republican Party is strongly in control of the state's politics...
– North Dakota affiliate of the Republican PartyRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... - Political party strength in North DakotaPolitical party strength in North DakotaThe following table indicates the party of elected officials in the U.S. state of North Dakota:*Governor*Lieutenant Governor*Secretary of State*Attorney General*State Treasurer*State Auditor*State Insurance Commissioner...