BISMARCK, N.D. — Is it soon enough? Is it too late? Is it jumping the gun? Or is it being well prepared? When is the appropriate time for people to enter political races?
You know we’ve never stopped the campaign from 2016 heading into 2018, but in reality, it’s probably just the last month or two where the discussion has ramped up about folks that are contemplating or have announced that they are running for some sort of elected seat, come 2018 election.
Those that enter early don’t deserve a free pass just because they’re the first ones to enter. In fact, that’s the time when you want to start asking those tough questions. You want to start finding out if they carry your belief and your principles.
At NDFB, we have a very solid belief. And I quote: “Individuals have a moral responsibility to preserve freedom for future generations by participating in public affairs and by helping to elect candidates who share their fundamental beliefs and principles.” End quote.
So when we approach these candidates with questions, I’m not saying we have to be aggressive and brutal about the way we ask them, but I would say that whatever time frame someone enters the race, make sure you find out what their principles and beliefs are.
And one of the things at NDFB, one of the other beliefs that we have, that private property is a very critical part to maintaining our freedoms. And so the questions we’ll ask of these candidates, “Will you protect private property, at all costs?” “Will you cast the vote that upholds our right to private property?” “Will you cast the vote that inherently protects that property when we do own it?”
If you’re an NDFB member, you probably carry that very strong belief of private property. If you haven’t had the opportunity to join NDFB yet, but that private property is very important to you, maybe you want to consider an NDFB membership, because we’ll be asking those questions.
And we need many folks across North Dakota to ask the tough questions of the candidates for the many political offices that are coming up in the 2018 election.
For questions or comments, please contact Dawn Smith-Pfeifer.
— Daryl Lies, President of North Dakota Farm Bureau
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