Dakota Beacon

Did you hear there was an earthquake in Fargo Friday?

There have been tremors for the past ten years and they have been intensifying - a foreshadow of the quake.

It was over 9.0 on the Richter Scale!

Generally earthquakes are geological, this one was political!

What happened?

The conservatives/center right won every party office in the state Republican party organization!

You may hear/feel some aftershocks coming from establishment, old timers, rent seekers that this earthquake is devastating, that is hardly the case if you are center right.

You might ask why?

I would say it is summed up in a comment made by a long time party activist on an state GOP Executive Committee this past week.  The comment was…

“I can’t understand this noise trying to destroy us.  It’s terribly difficult to get a handle on why, North Dakota is CENTER-RIGHT?”

DID YOU HEAR THAT?

CENTER RIGHT IS A BAD THING.

Isn’t that what the Republican party is supposed to be “Center Right” NOT “Center Left”?

What happened in Fargo was a seismic shift of significant proportions.

While many people have borrowed the term conservative, few really know what it means or stands for.

A conservative and their principles are center right positions.

The truth is the winners on Friday are principled conservative people who love this country and who believe in traditional family values!

That is a good thing!

Passionate conservatism requires strength because "While some people hold opinions, these people are held by their convictions".

This comes from a good place, the heart, the place where God finds character.

For example when God chose David, He didn't judge him on outward appearances but the heart. God described him as "a man after His own heart."

Principle, truth and hard word work won out over fear, false accusations, mischaracterizations, and grasping for power.

Please hear me… I am not saying all the people that lost Friday fall into the categories I list, however being one who has been attacked and mischaracterized through print and word from supposedly conservative Republicans can wear on you.

I felt the best thing I can do to help you make your own judgment as to what happened Friday is to share a portion of a letter of one the victors, “Sandi Sanford” who was elected the NEW STATE GOP CHAIRMAN, when she wrote to party leaders asking for their support.

SEE BELOW…

Being a strong Republican requires a commitment to living out the principles which formed our great nation and guides our party.  In my roles as a Christian, wife, mother, and public servant, the following statements found in our party platform, define my core beliefs, and will directly influence my leadership decisions. 

I believe that.  

1.     Individual liberty proceeds from our Creator, not the government. Government authority proceeds only from the consent of the People.  

2.     Individuals, including the unborn, have the intrinsic right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  

3.     Public policy should encourage personal responsibility and discourage the idea that all problems can be solved by the government. 

4.     All levels of government should be transparent and limited to essential services. 

5.     National security and sovereignty should be preserved without excess burdens to civil liberty. 

6.     Government taxes should be as low as possible and eliminated when unnecessary.

7.     The right of our citizens to bear arms is fundamental.

8.     Family integrity and American moral traditions must be preserved.

9.     Parents have the right to rear their children with minimal government interference and hold the ultimate responsibility for raising their children. 

10.   All involved in the Republican party should lead through personal moral integrity.

My goals as Chairman include:

Unite around our Republican Platform & informed citizenry

·       Defend and advocate for North Dakota traditional values.   

·       Develop strong partnership with district chairs and legislative leadership to advance our platform.  

·       Create programs and messaging statewide supporting republican values and positions.   

Serve and empower the districts and endorsed candidates 

·       Provide support, training, and resources.

·       Articulate our shared values through regular, open, and transparent communication.  

Engage all constituents; we have more that unites us than divides us, focus on those

·       Meet all stakeholders and identify their priorities.

·       Find common elements around which we can coalesce.

·       Use shared values to create communication vehicles and processes where differences are addressed, all parties are heard, and a united front emerges. 

·       Change the narrative from labeling factions that divide to values which unite.

Strong leadership and advocacy skills makes me a candidate for this position: 

·       Involved in state and federal politics for 25 years. 

·       Trained congressional lobbyist, a skill I would use in this position.

·       Managed campaigns raised funds and coordinated events at district level.

·       Advocated for American Association for Respiratory Care and worked on revisions to the Medicare Reform Act (1999-2010)

·       Co-founded Human Trafficking Task force in Watford City by working with law enforcement, healthcare, and ND Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Now rolled into the ND State Human Trafficking Task Force.

·       Co-authored the ND Essential Caregiver Bill ensuring residents would never again die alone without a family member present.  This ND legislation was recently introduced as a federal bill. 

Lastly, I pledge to SERVE YOU! I want to work for you and your district. With my conservative values, skillset, and desire to make a difference I know we can work together to build on the 20-year legacy of Republican victories and the noble goals of the party.

END OF HER LETTER...

Time will show that what I have written is true…please pay attention to the facts, stay informed and demonstrate a little grace.

Our country and state depend on it!