When I was first elected to the North Dakota House of Representative in 2012, I made a promise to the constituents I represented that I would work just as hard for them in the Legislature as I did to earn their vote. I won this seat, which was long-held by Republicans, because Democrats, Republicans and Independents wanted new energy in their representation. I’m proud that my neighbors’ trust in me has continued and they re-elected me in 2016.

My first four years in the Legislature were dedicated to building relationships with my legislative colleagues, communicating regularly with the constituents I represented and working every day to improve the quality of life for all North Dakotans. It wasn’t long into my term that constituents would stop me in the grocery store or leave voicemails thanking me for keeping them informed about what’s going on in the Legislature.

In 2016, I got another kind of message. A mother in north Fargo reached out to me about a horrible online incident involving an adult and her teenage daughter and other young people. Based on the circumstances, law enforcement officers were limited in how they could address the situation, even though the adult’s actions were clearly inappropriate. Basically, our technology had evolved faster than our laws, and this amazing mom was advocating for a change. In response, I introduced HB 1183 during the 2017 legislative session, amending our law so police and prosecutors can better address future online incidents like the one in north Fargo. The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support and became law last August.

This story shows how my job as a legislator is to listen, ask questions and collaborate with constituents and stakeholders to find solutions to the problems they are facing. The same is true for the Secretary of State.

I am running for Secretary of State because small business owners, nonprofit leaders and family farmers need a Secretary who will listen to their concerns and work with them to develop solutions. As someone who files annual LLC paperwork (emphasis on “paper”), I knew how frustrating it is that the process can’t be done online with automatic renewal. However, I am surprised at the level of frustration I hear from people across the state. North Dakotans are tired of hearing excuses from the current office holder. They want a leader in the Secretary of State’s office who will deliver services using current-day technology and security standards.

Beyond modernizing the office, I believe there are opportunities to collaborate with regulatory boards, licensing entities and state agencies to streamline their annual processes and create efficiencies for North Dakota businesses and professionals. Doing so would provide opportunities to reduce annual fees and costs to taxpayers.

As I travel the state between now and November and voters learn about my legislative experience, private-sector track record and vision for the office, I’m confident they will support my campaign to be North Dakota’s 15th Secretary of State.

Rep. Josh Boschee, District 44 (D), was re-elected to the ND House of Representatives in 2016, re-elected in 2016 and serves as the House Dem-NPL Caucus Chair. He is the Democratic-NPL endorsed candidate for Secretary of State.

Voters can learn more about Boschee at www.joshfornd.com.