North Dakota
McFeely: The problem with Republicans is Republicans
FARGO — My Forum Communications Co. columnist
colleague Rob Port had an interesting take on Republican politics the other day.
In lamenting the rightward lurch of North Dakota’s GOP into Crazytown, Rob saw fit to put some of the blame at the feet of the state’s impotent Democratic-NPL Party.
“Monopolies are bad. Competition is good,” Rob concluded. “I’m a conservative, so I’m generally not interested in seeing Democrats elected to office, but I do wish they were more competitive in North Dakota. If for no other reason than to keep Republicans honest.”
In other words, it’s the Democrats’ fault Republicans are
nominating far-right Christian nationalists to important positions like state school superintendant.
Odd way of looking at things, but I get it. Competition generally is good in politics because historically it’s forced moderation. And the vast middle decides elections, allegedly. Fair enough.
Except …
Minnesota.
One state away, one could say Democrats are “competitive.” They hold every statewide office and the trifecta of the state House, state Senate and governor’s office. So, following Rob’s trail of logic, that would mean the Minnesota GOP would moderate to the middle in order to be more palatable to voters. Appeal to the normies, right?
Except …
Minnesota Republicans are just as loony as their counterparts in North Dakota.
So maybe the problem with Republicans is Republicans, and not Democrats?
In recent months, Minnesota Republicans have:
—
Made reverting to the old state flag their No. 1 issue with which they think they’ll win back legislative majorities.
Like, No. 1 with a bullet. Their rhetoric about the old flag’s “heritage” and “history” sounds an awful lot like the arguments made by Southerners who didn’t want to part with Confederate statues.
—
Introduced a bill in the legislature inspired by the nutty chemtrails conspiracy theory,
which offers that the government deliberately laces airplane exhaust with harmful chemicals for various vile purposes, including forced sterilization and mind control.
—
Had a longtime state senator call for the ban of sexual education in schools
because, he said, it produces “addiction to pornography, and some of those young boys will turn into human sexual predators.”
— Had a different longtime state senator argue against safe storage gun laws because farmers need to access firearms quickly
in case one of their milk cows goes berserk.
“You even walk too close to a cow,” Sen. Warren Limmer of Maple Grove said, “and it’ll take you down and trample you into dust.”
In a state where Republicans would just have to be a little normal to take control of the state legislature, they are openly promoting conspiracy theories instead of something that might gain suburban votes like, say, school lunches for all or day-care assistance.
Republicans have gone ’round the bend not because of Democrats, but because the GOP sold out to the loons 30 years ago (see: Newt Gingrich) and the bill is coming due.
The problem isn’t Democrats, it’s Republicans. This is, increasingly, who they are. And the dwindling number of mainstream GOPers remaining are having their faces eaten by the leopard they released.
Who could’ve seen that coming, except everybody?
Mike McFeely is a columnist for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. He began working for The Forum in the 1980s while he was a student studying journalism at Minnesota State University Moorhead. He’s been with The Forum full time since 1990, minus a six-year hiatus when he hosted a local radio talk-show.
BISMARCK — A West Fargo attorney has been appointed to the North Dakota Ethics Commission.
According to a release, Lisa Edison-Smith was appointed to the commission Tuesday, July 7, to fill the unexpired term of Commissioner Ronald Goodman, who will retire from the board.
Edison-Smith works for Vogel Law Firm, from which she plans to retire at the end of the year, the release said. She specializes in employment and labor law and is also the editor of the North Dakota Employment Law Letter, a monthly publication providing guidance to employers.
Edison-Smith graduated from North Dakota State University and Hamline University School of Law. She was a clerk for the Minnesota Supreme Court and worked in finance and accounting roles at GTE Corp., the release said.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to bring my legal experience and problem-solving skills to the important work of the Commission,” Edison-Smith said via release. “Together, I believe we can improve public trust and deepen the Commission’s commitment to accountability and transparency in North Dakota.”
Commissioners are appointed by consensus of the governor and majority and minority leader of the North Dakota Senate.
Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “staff.” Often, the “staff” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.
North Dakota
Schulz to transition from ND Parks and Recreation to ND Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Gov. Kelly Armstrong today announced that North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department Director Cody Schulz is leaving the agency next month to assume the role of chief financial officer in the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, effective Aug. 17.
Schulz has led Parks and Recreation since being appointed director by then-Gov. Doug Burgum in October 2021. Armstrong reappointed Schulz to the position upon taking office in December 2024. Schulz previously served 13 years in the state Department of Emergency Services (DES), including as business manager and finance officer for seven years and as the state’s director of Homeland Security from 2018 to 2021. Prior to joining DES, he spent nearly 13 years in the private sector as a business owner, account specialist and government and public affairs analyst.
“Parks and Recreation has thrived under Cody’s leadership, opening a new state park at Pembina Gorge, expanding and improving existing parks, making major investments in infrastructure and enhancing visitor experiences,” Armstrong said. “While we will miss his leadership of the agency, we’re excited that he has decided to continue serving the citizens of North Dakota at DOCR, where his experience in finance and accounting will serve the department well.”
“This was an incredibly difficult decision, one driven primarily by the desire to travel less and spend more time with family, especially my aging parents. At the same time, my new role at DOCR allows me to work in finance and public safety – two passions that have shaped much of my career,” Schulz said. “I am filled with gratitude for the team at Parks and Recreation, and I leave with complete confidence in this organization. This is an exceptionally talented team filled with capable, dedicated people who care deeply about one another, our mission, and the citizens we serve.”
A native of New Salem, N.D., Schulz earned an associate’s degree from Bismarck State College, a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Dickinson State University and an MBA from the University of North Dakota. He also served on the Morton County Commission from 2012 to 2020, including as chairman in 2016, 2017 and 2020, and as a member of the Morton County Park Board for eight years.
Justin Fairbanks went to work! He created this incredible breakdown of Fargo participants and their college commitments. Email kyle.klingman@flosports.tv with updates.
Here’s the full Fargo schedule so you don’t miss any of the girls’ action.
2026 U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals
Junior Girls Freestyle
Thursday, July 16 at 2:00 p.m. ET – Session XI
Friday, July 17 at 10:00 a.m. ET – Session XIII
Friday, July 17 at 4:00 p.m. ET – Session XIV
Saturday, July 18 at 11:00 a.m. ET – Session XV
Saturday, July 18 at 3:00 p.m. ET – Session XVI
Saturday, July 18 at 4:30 p.m. ET – Finals
16U Girls Freestyle
Thursday, July 16 at 6:00 p.m. ET – Session XII
Friday, July 17 at 10:00 a.m. ET – Session XIII
Friday, July 17 at 4:00 p.m. ET – Session XIV
Saturday, July 18 at 11:00 a.m. ET – Session XV
Saturday, July 18 at 3:00 p.m. ET – Session XVI
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