Jared Hendrix, Minot

We’re fortunate to have a representative system that allows us to be served by family, friends and neighbors across North Dakota who sacrifice the time and energy to represent us in Bismarck. However, when it comes to political power, even the best of us are not immune. Those who serve for decades may develop institutional bias and may fall into the trap of serving the loudest voices in Bismarck – lobbyists and bureaucrats – not their constituents. That is why structural reforms are needed to insure that political power in North Dakota is realigned away from the political class, and back to the rest of us.

When Benjamin Franklin added term limits for the governor and legislature to Pennsylvania’s Constitution in 1776, Franklin printed his intent in the state constitution itself: to thwart “the danger of establishing an inconvenient aristocracy.” Today we pursue term limits for North Dakota’s state legislature and governor for this very same reason.

Term limits are nothing personal. They don’t emanate from one ideological faction or another; nor are they aimed at any specific officeholders. Term limits are simply a good bipartisan reform that holds politicians accountable. We are hopeful and excited to give the people of North Dakota a vote on term limits in the 2022 statewide election.

According to a statewide survey by Pulse Research, the people of North Dakota agree that term limits are needed. The poll found 82% of North Dakotans support 8-year term limits for the state legislature and governor. That includes backing from 86% of Republicans, 80% of Democrats and 77% of independent voters in our state. In this era of political division and polarization, term limits are an issue that brings Americans together. If term limits are what the people of North Dakota want, why shouldn’t we have them?

Term limits are very common throughout America. The President has term limits. So do governors of 36 other states and state lawmakers in 15 states, including our neighbors in South Dakota and Montana. 9 out of the 10 largest cities in the United States have term limits. If anything, it’s actually a bit unusual that North Dakota has — up to this point — allowed ourselves to be governed by career politicians. Since 8-year term limits are good enough for the leader of the free world, they ought to be good enough for state leaders too.

If the people’s term limits passes in North Dakota, one could still serve up to 16 years total between the State House and Senate. Ask yourself – isn’t 16 YEARS of public service enough? If individuals want to continue to serve their communities, there are many great needs beyond the legislature. At the end of their tenure, they can find many opportunities at the school board, county, city and township levels. Nonprofits, charities, and other community organizations are in dire need of assistance.

Some critics of our grassroots campaign have trotted out the old trope that “we already have term limits and it’s called elections.” That may sound okay on paper, but it’s a talking point without much substance. Most people know that the power of incumbency has stacked the deck, making it nearly impossible for fresh faces and ideas to enter public office. Incumbents have all the advantages in the world: access to special interest donors, name recognition and free media coverage among others.

According to the Lucy Burns Institute, state legislative incumbents across the country have a 97% re-election rate. They have worse turnover than the Soviet Politburo and the British House of Lords. By protecting incumbents at the public’s expense, the status quo can hardly be considered democratic. Term limits will open up fresh seats on a regular basis, making elections more meaningful and competitive. It would give North Dakotans from all walks of life, regardless of political affiliation, an opportunity to run for office and participate in public service.

Over the coming weeks and months, it is likely you will be approached by a member of our grassroots team and asked to sign the petition to put 8-year term limits on the ballot. If you agree with 82% of our citizens that it’s time to end politics as usual and bring new energy to Bismarck, I encourage you to sign! Getting term limits on the ballot won’t immediately eject anyone from office. In the interest of fairness, these limits do not apply to service accrued prior to the people’s vote. But this measure will give all North Dakotans a vote on having a true citizen legislature, just as the founders intended.

George Washington was a man who literally could’ve been king. He voluntarily chose to represent his people – not rule them. His example of a voluntary two-term limit for public office is a wise policy to emulate in North Dakota. I hope you’ll join us.

Hendrix is chairman of the District 38 Republicans.