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First Native American elected to ND Legislature leadership position

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BISMARCK - Rep. Jayme Davis, D-Rolette, has been elected Caucus Chair of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL House Legislative Caucus, making her the first Native American to hold a caucus leadership position in the North Dakota Legislature. Her term in caucus leadership begins today.

"I am honored and humbled to serve my Democratic-NPL colleagues as their caucus chair," said Davis. "During the 2023 legislative session, our caucus led the passage of nearly 40 laws and resolutions impacting the biggest issues facing North Dakota, like making investments in workforce development and child care. I look forward to building off this success and helping to grow our caucus in the 2024 elections."

Davis is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band Chippewa Indians. In 2022, she was elected to represent District 9a in the N.D. House of Representatives. In the 68th Legislative Assembly, Davis served on the Human Services and Political Subdivisions committees. During her first legislative session, she led the passage of a law to codify the protections of the federal Indian Child Welfare Act into state law. She also authored a legislative study to combat racism directed at North Dakota high school athletes.

Davis replaces Rep. Gretchen Dobervich, D-Fargo, as Democratic-NPL Caucus Chair. Dobervich held the position since 2018.

"It truly has been an honor to serve the N.D. Democratic-NPL House Legislative Caucus. I am very excited Representative Davis has been elected by her peers to serve. She will add not only diversity to the minority caucus leadership team, but years of leadership experience and knowledge," said Dobervich.

The N.D. Democratic-NPL House Caucus also elected Rep. Zac Ista, District 43, Grand Forks, as minority leader and Rep. Joshua Boschee, District 44, Fargo, assistant minority leader.

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