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ND needs to produce more candidates for all offices

Over the past couple of years, Minot Daily News has often opined on the need for more candidates to step forward, bring new ideas to the table and otherwise challenge the entrenched status quo.

It is not something just needed at the municipal and county government level. It’s needed at all levels of government.

Congratulations are due state Sen. Tom Campbell of Grafton and Ben Hanson, a Fargo commercial real estate agent who served in the state House from 2013-2016.

Campbell is seeking the Republican endorsement for the Senate seat held by Democrat Heidi Heitkamp. Hanson has announced for the Democratic-NPL endorsement for the U.S. House seat held by Republican Kevin Cramer.

Both candidates face uphill battles considering the powerful elected officials they are set to face – that is, set to face unless Cramer opts to run against Heitkamp and thus leaves an open House seat.

Yet both are probably well aware of the challenges they face and yet they still opted to toss their hats in the ring relatively early. Both are demonstrating courage and leadership to their respective political parties.

It is in no way meant to be disrespectful to either new candidate for Minot Daily News to, once again, call for active, vibrant participation. More candidates representing a greater diversity of aptitude and ideas are very much needed. Money might be the mother’s milk of politics, but a range of ideas is the essence of sound public policy.

What North Dakota needs is a delegation that advocates for sound policy. Yes, policy that particularly benefits North Dakota. But also policy that benefits the entire country. Sometimes these aren’t the same thing.

Perhaps Heitkamp and Cramer are the best potential public servants for their jobs. Or perhaps not. Until their records, ideas and principles are challenged, we wouldn’t really know, would we?

That’s why, hopefully, this election cycle will see spirited debate and clarifying competition.

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