679: 'We're your friends. We're your neighbors. We're your co-workers.'

Kyle Erickson and Zach Raknerud are two Democratic-NPL candidates running in Minot's District 5, but what's unique about Erickson is that he was born with cerebral palsy. If elected, he would (at least in this observer's memory) be the first lawmaker in North Dakota living with that sort of disability.

But he wants it to be clear that he's not getting elected to be a single-issue leader.

"The people with disabilities isn't this nebulous demographic out there," Erickson said on this episode of Plain Talk. "We're your friends. We're your neighbors. We're your co-workers. I think it would be a great chance to have those voices or to have somebody from the disability community get elected."

Still, Erickson plans to represent all of his constituents if elected. "Disability rights in this state is like the second or third policy that's a priority for me right now, because, I mean, North Dakota is wonderful, but we have a lot of work to do in order to increase the quality of life for it citizens, and that means whether or not you're a single mother or you have a disability or you're white or you're black or purple.

Erickson first made statewide headlines when a disability program he works for at Minot State University saw its federal funding cut abruptly as a part of the Trump administration's chaotic "DOGE" efforts to promote efficiency. "I kind of point to that as my kind of origin story, so to speak," Erickson said adding, "I just want to protect my community members."

This is Erickson's first time running for office, but for Raknerud, this is his fifth turn on the ballot, including a past run for the U.S. House against former Congressman Kelly Armstrong. "I continue to try because I love North Dakota and I really do believe that the values of North Dakota are not being represented by the North Dakota GOP, especially as they go farther into the extremes."

Also on this episode, guest co-host Jamie Selzler and I discuss what is looking to be a very diminished state convention from the North Dakota Republican Party, Fargo's mayoral race, and listener feedback.

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