Together, they are running on a platform that aims to reduce despair and improve the lives of North Dakotans, they said.

“Our state is facing significant challenges, and Minot must elect better leadership more in-tune with the values of North Dakotans, their announcement stated.

“I am a disability advocate, non-profit professional, and comedian running to represent Minot’s District 5 in the state Legislature,” Erickson said. “I’ve spent my career working directly with people and families directly impacted by state policy. I’m running to bring practical, people-first leadership back. I believe North Dakota works best when we take care of our own, show up for our neighbors and focus on solutions that actually help.”

“I’m a lifelong North Dakotan who started a career in Minot 10 years ago and fell in love with this city,” Raknerud said. “For too long, Minot has captured the worst types of headlines as our leaders have fallen well short of the standard that people in Minot deserve. I’m running to represent District 5, because I believe people here deserve better. I’m relentlessly focused on policy solutions that will improve lives in our community at a time when too many families are falling behind.”

Zach Raknerud

District 5 currently is represented in the House by Republicans Reps. Jay Fisher and Scott Louser. They have not announced at this time whether they will seek reelection. Fisher has served since 2019 and Louser since 2011.

Raknerud previously ran for the District 5 House seat in 20218. He ran for North Dakota’s seat in the U.S. House in 2020 and also has run for Minot City Council and as a write-in for Ward County Commission.