Cole Conley and Olivia Schloegel of Jamestown are seeking the District 12 Senate seat in the North Dakota Legislature. The person elected will serve a four-year term. Conley, a Republican, is the incumbent, and Schloegel, a Democrat, is seeking her first four-year term. The candidates were asked eight written questions and were limited to a response of 175 words per question. They also provided requested biographical information. The candidates’ answers to the questions were not changed in any way.

Cole Conley
Employment or occupation (former if retired): semi-retired farmer/businessman
Education: attended UND
Immediate family (name of spouse; number of children and grandchildren, if applicable): widowed (Colleen); three daughters and 10 grandchildren
Up to 5 memberships/organizations of which you are a member: none provided

Olivia Schloegel
Employment or occupation (former if retired): Presently a Research Coordinator, working remotely for a multi-institution wetland monitoring program; previously a Biologist for U.S. Geological Survey (Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center), Adjunct Professor (University of Jamestown, Valley City State University).

Education: DePaul University (B.S., Environmental Science, minor in Philosophy), University of Connecticut (M.S., Natural Resources)

Immediate family (name of spouse; number of children and grandchildren, if applicable): husband, David

Up to 5 memberships/organizations of which you are a member: Meals on Wheel volunteer, Kiwanis member, TRAC yoga instructor, Jamestown Forestry Committee member, District 12 Dem-NPL Chair

1. Why should voters choose you to represent District 12 in the North Dakota Legislature? Explain.
Cole Conley: It is very important that District 12 citizens have a proven, effective voice in Bismarck to represent them. Being a long-time resident myself, I know the community and values of the residents and think that I fairly represent those values with my votes. Being in the majority party gives me a seat at the table with other decision makers. Ultimately, it comes down to relationships I have built with like-minded legislators to get the majority of votes to pass legislation that works for the citizens of District 12. Being a Senator involves much more than sitting in the Senate Chamber and voting on proposed bills. I spend a much larger portion of my time in committee hearings, meetings with leadership, state agency officials and other legislators. Fargo, Bismarck, Minot, Williston, Dickinson and Grand Forks have multiple Senators representing them. District 12 has only one, so I work closely with Senator Wanzek and other Senators from rural districts to level the playing field while maintaining great relationships with all of my Senate colleagues.

Olivia Schloegel: Neighbors and peers describe me as “dependable, level-headed, and earnest.” My balanced approach to collaborative decision making is a strength I would bring to elected office, as are my skills in communication, analysis, and assessment. I am community-driven; I believe we can celebrate the good and talk honestly about challenges with empathy and determination. As our region and state face unprecedented change, we need a leader who can think on her feet, integrate new perspectives as they enter, and be rooted in addressing practical needs and solutions. I sincerely want a government that works better for more people, and I would be a strong listener, voice, and leader for the different sectors and nuances of our region if elected to represent you in Bismarck.

2. What do you think are the top three priorities of the state? Explain.
Conley: Energy security. Demand for power keeps rising while generation of power is staying flat or slightly declining. By 2030 and beyond, there will be insufficient generation to meet peak demand. Large areas of ND are in a high risk condition and new shortfalls may exist at normal peak conditions. We need to add more power plants and transmission lines to keep up with growing demand.

Economic Development. It is important to diversify our economy to create additional opportunities to grow our economy and become less dependent on just two industries, energy and agriculture. Tourism is ND’s number three industries and there are ample opportunities to expand.

Water Issues. We have been plagued with too much water since the 90’s. We have spent millions of dollars on raising road grades. It probably would have been wiser to help fund irrigation projects to help drain the problem areas which would reclaim productive farmland as well as making the surrounding land more productive.

Schloegel: The top three priorities facing our state are 1. creating property tax reform and relief, 2. building an economy for short- and long-term success, and 3. taking care of working families, seniors, and young people. Energy and agriculture are economic strengths- I’m excited to see how we can diversify and expand those sectors while also making long-term investments today in other pillars. I think we can leverage and grow our tourism capacity. The wide open space of North Dakota is sometimes something we joke about, but I seriously believe we can offer a place for people to slow down; enjoy our prairies, sloughs and other recreational spaces; and experience the elements of the community we love. North Dakotans have big hearts and work hard, but face un-met needs. Let’s listen to the real needs of residents across generations in order to make sure folks who want to stay here have the opportunity to do so, more residents have a reason to stay, and new people are welcome here to grow a vibrant workforce and community.

3. What issue in North Dakota requires more attention? Explain.

Conley: Transparency. We need to do a better job communicating the State budgeting process and how the dollars are spent. Measure 4 is the result of citizens not understanding where the money is being spent and thinking the legislature is spending tax dollars on pet projects which I have found not to be the case. In fact, millions have gone to tax relief. Citizens have a right to know where Legacy Fund dollars are being invested and with who.

Schloegel: Two issues we need urgent attention to are childcare and housing. While there was progress last session solving the “family” side of the childcare equation by improving and expanding aid to families, supporting the “provider” side fell short, despite an effort by some legislators to address this issue comprehensively. I’ve talked with multiple childcare providers in town, and I’m excited to pick up where the last session left off and contribute to substantial solutions. Our community deserves well-rounded approaches to address on-the-ground childcare wage and workforce realities. Childcare and early education should be a career path that is both viable and valued, and we need funding and policy to better support caretakers. We have people who work at Cavendish, Collins, the State Hospital and Prison and elsewhere in Jamestown who commute because of lack of affordable housing. Housing is a key people-centered piece to economic development and community livelihood. I want to help our community get better access to state and federal initiatives, and I will collaborate to bring property tax relief to everyday people.

4.  What legislation, if any, that passed in the last session of the North Dakota Legislature did you disagree with? Why?

Conley: There was a Destination Tourism proposal that I would have liked to see turn out differently. The original proposal would have allocated fifty million dollars for tourism projects. The budgeting process cut it down to twenty five million dollars which resulted in worthy projects like Bison World and others being put on hold.

Schloegel: We’re fortunate to have JRMC and OBGYN providers in Stutsman County. All North Dakotans deserve access to adequate care. I disagree with the bill that makes abortion illegal except for within a dangerously short timeframe due to rape or incest (SB 2150). Safe abortion and reproductive care are essential to improving public health outcomes here. Let’s move forward, not backward. I’m grateful for our public school educators and librarians, and they deserve representatives who will solve real problems, not create new ones. I disagree with HB1205, which mandated local libraries go through collections to find “sexually-explicit” materials and remove or relocate them. Our local library already had a mechanism for folks’ to voice concerns and we have trusted stewards of resources who adhere to a code of ethics. I’m disappointed this reactionary bill passed. Of course we need to protect children from harm and make sure material is age-appropriate, that’s why we hire professionals, and we have mechanisms for review and feedback already; this one-time, one-sized fits all approach was wrong and wasteful.

5. Rising property taxes are of concern to some residents. What, if anything, can the Legislature do to help reduce the property tax burden on residents? Explain.

Conley: I understand that there are a lot of people that are struggling financially and the thought of eliminating property taxes seems like a great idea. However, it does not eliminate property tax, it just shifts the burden to the State to pay the bill. We must keep in mind that local authorities set the budgets and spend the money on necessary expenses. The legislature has recognized that rising property taxes are a burden on all taxpayers and has taken steps to help. In fact, if the state wasn’t helping, our property tax bills would be 40% higher. In the last session, $53.5 million went toward the Homestead Tax Credit and $103.3 million went into the Primary Residence Credit. Additionally, $358 million went toward income tax relief. The state pays about 75% of the per pupil payment to public schools and it wouldn’t surprise me to see proposals to pick up a larger percentage. The largest of your tax bill goes to your local school district. I have also heard of several other proposals.

Schloegel: The state legislature can write a bill about almost anything it wants. The state legislature oversees state agency priorities and gate keeps a lot of federal dollars around housing. I think the legislature can provide direct relief, via tax credits like the homestead tax credit and primary tax credit that passed last session. I think the legislature can continue and expand support for first time and young homebuyers, through programs implemented by state agencies. I think our local legislators need to be strong advocates for our region to make sure we get access to some federal programs and dollars that pass through the state legislature. Finally, I think we need improved communication about how the current property tax burden is shared across different property owners and zoning classes. Perhaps, the state can provide technical assistance or other guidance for this communication. While property tax and housing requires strong collaboration across different levels of government, the state legislature certainly has a role to play.

6. If Measure 4 is approved by voters, it would abolish property taxes. Do you support Measure 4? Explain. 

Conley: Measure 4 leaves a lot of unanswered questions. It does seek to limit the amount of increase by freezing taxes to 2024 levels it does not address double digit inflation. Major corporations pay about ½ of the taxes and we would need to replace that loss of tax revenue from other sources.

Schloegel: Frustrations are valid. We’ve had decades of leaders in Bismarck telling residents they will “figure this out,” and they have not. To me that means we need to shake up some things with new leadership. Let’s avoid completely breaking things; let’s say no to eliminating this local revenue stream without a clear plan. There were positive steps last session, i.e., $500 primary residence tax credit. Let’s explore increasing that amount and maybe have it automatically applied to property tax bills, because many people didn’t know about it. Let’s find a targeted way to improve communication and metrics around assessments too. When you talk with your friends, please ask them to consider 1. Who does Measure 4 help (mostly out of state landowners), 2. Who does it not help (no direct relief for renters or most everyday homeowners), and 3. Who does it harm (it hurts our community; our EMS providers who answer the call; public teachers who teach us all; local services that we sure as heck know still need some improvements and investments).

7.  Should the Legislature support Bison World? Explain.

Conley: Tourism is the third largest industry in ND and we need to grow tourism. Bison World would be a great addition. It would bring tourists and their dollars to ND and add significantly to our economy as well as create jobs and opportunities for hospitality focused businesses.

Schloegel: Bison World and other tourism opportunities certainly need support from the state legislature, both through funding and through setting priorities and guidance for state programs and in-state investment mechanisms. I was really happy to host a round table about the Legacy Fund and In-state investment programs this fall. We were able to get questions answered about existing ways the Legacy Fund principal is being geared toward in-state businesses and endeavors such as Bison World. There, we also talked about how to most effectively “sell” Bison World to the state legislature and the people in Jamestown, we need to concurrently address community development realities such as housing, workforce, and local input about land-use. I’d be a strong voice for Jamestown in these discussions in Bismarck. I’d continue to bring different people to the table rather than stubbornly push ahead without changing any original viewpoint. I’m collaborative, practical, empathetic, and good at bridging different perspectives.

8. What is your vision for the state of North Dakota five years from now?

Conley: My vision for ND is that we would have a vibrant economy comprised of diverse business interests which would provide jobs and services to support our citizens. I would also like to see ND become less dependent on outside sources.

Schloegel: Let’s embrace wide open space and the opportunity it provides, not just for development, but finding new parts of ourselves and our community. Let’s think twice about economic development for the sake of the economy; the economy is a means to an end not an end in it itself. I want to center people, community, and vibrancy. My vision for our region in five years is one that empowers creative businesses, one with clean air and water, one that has safe and accessible streets and parks that don’t require a perpetual loop of spaghetti feeds and raffles to fund, and one in which more people feel welcome. Five years from now, I want the teacher or counselor who working with a student “in-between” being extreme enough for a certain program but still needs intervention; the family “in-between” making enough to not qualify for housing aid but not enough to afford groceries; the young person “in-between” staying with their roots and finding true freedom elsewhere; I want them all to feel better connected and supported here.

9.  What other topics not included in the other questions would you like to address here? Explain.

Conley: Work force and housing are being addressed and the legislature continues to focus on these important issues. In the last session we $66million to expand childcare centers to support parents that wish to join the work force. We invested $68million in Career and Technology centers to develop home grown skilled trade workers. We need to keep working on these things. Housing needs to be the responsibility of local entities but there are many programs that can be accessed through the Bank of North Dakota and North Dakota Rural Development.

Schloegel: I’m worried about transparency and accountability in Bismarck, so proactive communication in general would be a core tenet of my leadership in the state senate. I think any call for transparency in the Legacy Fund needs to be matched with actions around better accountability and accessibility to decisions getting made elsewhere. To me, this means having better partisan balance, yes, but also electing leaders who know how to actively balance lived experiences and expert opinion. From the repeal of the anti-corporate farming law to school voucher discussions that happened in private before someone spoke up, we have seen evidence of our elected leaders losing touch with their commitment to the people of our region. We can all be a part of positive change, we need to keep showing up in all levels of government and participate where we can. But we also need leaders who meet us where we’re at and don’t forget us. I’d be honored to represent this region for the next four years in this capacity.