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Former Democratic Lawmaker Announces Campaign For North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner

By Bill Dubensky Mar 22, 2026 | 8:01 AM

(Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)

 

(North Dakota Monitor) – Former Democratic-NPL state lawmaker Vern Thompson announced Friday he’s running for North Dakota agriculture commissioner and has received endorsement from the party’s executive committee.

The former farmer from Minnewaukan said living through the 1980s farm crisis gives him a unique perspective to lead farmers through their current struggles. He blamed today’s challenges on President Donald Trump’s tariff policies reducing crop markets and war with Iran that has greatly impacted fuel and fertilizer costs in a matter of weeks.

“We need a voice to speak to that,” Thompson said in an interview with the North Dakota Monitor on Friday. He added the North Dakota Industrial Commission and the state’s federal lawmakers have not done enough to stand against policies affecting North Dakota growers.

Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, a Republican, is running for reelection.

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