District 21 Democratic-NPL leaders steamroll the process

SOURCE: FARGO INFORUM

April 26, 2010

Scott Edward Haugen is running for the state Legislature in Fargo’s District 21, challenging the Democratic-NPL Party House endorsements, giving voters a choice in the June 8 primary.

By: Tom Magin, Fargo

Scott Edward Haugen is running for the state Legislature in Fargo’s District 21, challenging the Democratic-NPL Party House endorsements, giving voters a choice in the June 8 primary.

Democratic-NPL Party leaders stopped any debate, questions or answers about who should get the endorsements, so Haugen withdrew from the endorsement process. It was not democratic in his judgment, as many other Democrats agree. He made the right call to bypass that flawed process.

The noteworthy fact is, long before Haugen withdrew, the District 21 Committee had made plans for an endorsement process that included debate and questions and answers from the candidates. Unfortunately, the district party chairwoman and the incumbent legislative candidates derailed the District 21 committee’s decision, taking a less legitimate path in order to maintain their dubious control of the process.

Now, by challenging the insiders, Haugen has ruffled some feathers and has become a target of their criticism. That’s politics: a blend of facts, fiction and phobias. But, the truth is still important, good, bad or ugly, and there’s just no pretty way to say it: The incumbents did not want any debate, questions or answers, so they “stretched” their authority in order to prevent any debate, questions or answers.

Haugen’s candidacy gives the voters of District 21 a real choice and a real opportunity to have a more objective and progressive voice for the district in the North Dakota House. June’s primary election is about changing the Democratic Party’s decline and direction from the same old promises of the past, from the same old crowd, to a renewed focus on common sense, fairness, inclusiveness and accountability.

That’s why Haugen deserves our support now and in November. Haugen has the energy, passion and values that we need for the future of the Democratic-NPL Party and to represent all independent, forward-thinking citizens in Fargo’s District 21.



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Magin lives in Fargo.

Tim Magin was Vice Chair of North Dakota AFL-CIO and current vice chair of Democratic-NPL Senate District 21.