Contested race for District 23 House

WILLISTON, N.D. (KUMV) - While even-numbered districts in North Dakota are up for election this year, voters in District 23 will also need to decide on a new state representative.

District 23 covers north and west Williston and the Trenton and Buford areas. Rep. Scott Dyk resigned over family issues in April, and now a special election will determine who will take over the remainder of his term.

For the first time since the district was formed in 2021, it is a contested race between Dyk’s replacement Republican Rep. Dennis Nehring and Dem-NPL candidate Mark Casler.

Dennis Nehring

Rep. Nehring was selected by district Republicans in May to take over in the interim. He was born and raised in the area and has served in several government roles including a township position and the Williams County School District. He is also the vice-chair of the District 23 GOP.

Nehring said one of his priorities is to reel in spending at the state level.

“I think we have a spending problem. We’re fortunate to have the amount of money we’re getting from our oilfield. I guess I have the feeling that people that are in the office tend to forget that money isn’t ours. It belongs to you. Might make a difference in how they allocate it or spend it,” said Nehring.

While he’s uncertain how feasible it would be, Nehring said he would like to see the Bank of North Dakota offer debit and credit cards that would keep processing fees in North Dakota rather than other companies in other states.

“If we could offer that from our state to the citizens— we already have the bank, we don’t need to make a profit, so all we have to do is break even— that money would go right back into the economy. That’s huge,” said Nehring.

Nehring would also zero in on education reform, support a voucher system and move away from federal funding.

“I think the voucher thing would be a good plan. I think it should be nationwide, not just in North Dakota,” said Nehring.

Nehring explained that while the money from the Department of Education can be beneficial, he doesn’t agree with the requirements imposed on schools when they accept the money.

“I’d like to see North Dakota quit taking away federal funding for education. Not because the money isn’t handy and good to use, but because it doesn’t come without strings,” said Nehring.

Mark Casler

Mark Casler is the Dem-NPL candidate running for District 23 House. He is a Trenton native and works in the private sector. He said he’s running to give people a choice and because he feels the current legislators are not representing the district well.

“I don’t think they are doing the job the way we elected them to do, especially after the last legislative session,” said Casler.

Casler said he wants to make sure the region gets its fair share of the money for beneficial projects.

“I want to make sure the state is investing in education, investing in roads, especially where I’m out, where I live out by Trenton. [Highway] 1804 out by Trenton has become dangerous,” said Casler.

As for education, Casler wants to see more of a focus in the upcoming legislative session.

“Make sure that we are investing in our teachers, recruiting new ones and retaining the ones we do have. Things like school lunch— students in this state shouldn’t have to worry where their next meal is. The state of North Dakota should be providing that, especially since we’re in a surplus,” said Casler.

Party Demographics

Republicans hold the lone state Senate and both state House seats in district 23. Nehring said he is the conservative choice in this election.

“Between conservative and liberal, I think the conservative wins in my opinion,” said Nehring.

However, Casler said he believes the oil boom has brought in a more diverse voter base which could lead to an upset.

“I don’t think it’s quite as red as everybody thinks it is, but we’ll see on Nov. 5,” said Casler.

Measure 4

Measure 4 focuses on abolishing property taxes and will be a major cause for debate in the upcoming legislative session, should it pass.

Nehring is a supporter of Measure 4 and believes the state will need to reel in its spending for certain projects to cover any essential funding.

“In the last biennium, if I’m not wrong, the state of North Dakota raised their budget by 125 percent. I can understand the cost of living, everything needs more money, but 125 percent? That’s a lot of money. Another thing was a million or two that went to a bison feedlot, and 20 or 30 million that went to a fertilizer plant. I guess I’m not really comfortable with the state taking your money and giving it to a private enterprise,” said Nehring.

Casler calls Measure 4 a terrible idea that would require a hard look into the state budget to figure out how to replace the property tax revenue.

“Things like giving money to out-of-state corporations to come here and build, stuff like that is going away. Investing in education, stuff like that will probably go away because we won’t have the money to do it,” said Casler.

The winner will serve the remainder of Dyk’s term through 2026.