Shaw: A dedicated Republican gets booted out

If there’s any doubt that dangerous extremists are taking over the Republican Party in North Dakota, all you have to do is look at the case of Mary Ann Armbrust, of District 46 in south Fargo.

Armbrust is a warm, friendly, smart and charming woman. She spent 37 years as a dedicated and caring teacher. Most of her teaching years were at Fargo South High, where she taught home economics and was beloved by her students.

“I loved teaching the kids,” Armbrust told me. “I was delighted to make a difference in their lives.”

Armbrust loves North Dakota so much that she has a license plate that says “ND4EVR.”

“I love the people of North Dakota, the prairie, the land, and the work ethic,” she said.

For 40 years, Armbrust has been a devoted member of the North Dakota Republican Party. She made thousands of phone calls and knocked on many doors on behalf of Republican candidates, while attending all the party conventions.

“It was kind of a calling,” Armbrust said. “I wanted to help make North Dakota prosper and support our candidates. It was very gratifying.”

For the past 16 years, Armbrust served as vice chair of the District 46 Republicans.

“Mary Ann did an excellent job for the district and the party,” said former District 46 Chair Mark Thelen. “You couldn’t ask for a better volunteer. She would get her hands dirty and do the work. She never missed a meeting. She was always bubbly and smiling and gave everybody hugs.”

It all recently came crashing down for Armbrust, Thelen and three other District 46 Republican officers. They were

suddenly voted out

of their leadership positions.

“I was surprised,” Armbrust said. “I didn’t expect it. I didn’t see it coming.”

The fanatics had secretly organized and turned out in large numbers. At the meeting, they passed out sheets praising far-right District 46 Rep. Jim Kasper for his votes to ban books, ban effective medical treatment for transgender minors, ban drag shows, and against vaccines, while blasting moderate District 46 Rep. Shannon Roers Jones for voting against those bills.

Rob Muntz, the new District 46 chair, has bashed homosexuals and vaccines on social media.

“Most of the people at the meeting had never come to a district function and never said they had any issues,” Armbrust said. “I guess we were not far enough to the right for them.”

“I feel bad for Mary Ann,” Thelen said. “She deserved better than that after the 16 years she put in.”

What’s happening to the North Dakota Republican Party is frightening. It’s been taken over by extremists who push hatred and censorship, while denying science. Thus, there’s no place in the party for traditional, dedicated and loyal Republicans, such as Mary Ann Armbrust. Anyone can be booted out.

“It’s very disappointing to be removed,” Armbrust said. “I will miss the chance to make a difference.”

InForum columnist Jim Shaw is a former WDAY TV reporter and former KVRR TV news director.