North Dakota Agencies Say Suit Over Political ad Law Should be Dismissed

(Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)

(North Dakota Monitor) – North Dakota state agencies have asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit challenging a state law that criminalizes lying or making intentionally misleading statements in political ads.

Brandon Prichard, who represented Bismarck in the Legislature in 2023 and 2024, in early November filed suit over the state’s corrupt practices law, claiming that it violates the First Amendment.

The Republican is a controversial figure in North Dakota politics in part for his attacks on incumbent Republican lawmakers.

Prichard claims he and his wife, Kathryn, have been subject to investigations under the law, which makes it a class A misdemeanor to knowingly or with “reckless disregard for its truth or falsity” publish something false or misleading about a candidate or ballot measure.

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