Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2026
Harsell Launches Campaign for District 42 House Seat, Says “The People Decide — Not the Insiders”
Running to Cut Taxes, Empower Families, Strengthen Our Workforce, and Defend North Dakotan Values
Grand Forks, ND – Ethan Harsell today announced his candidacy for the North Dakota House of Representatives, District 42, pledging to fight for economic freedom, property tax relief, strong families, and constitutional government
Harsell is an Eagle Scout, a former aquatics instructor, and a lifelong North Dakotan and a Senior at the University of North Dakota studying Political Science and Unmanned Aircraft Systems. He has been actively engaged in public policy, legislative testimony, and grassroots organizing in Grand Forks. His background in aviation, energy policy, Advocating for Mental Health and state governance informs his practical, solutions-oriented approach to lawmaking.
District 42—home to the University of North Dakota and Grand Forks Air Force Base—sits at the center of North Dakota’s energy, agriculture, defense, and aviation economy. Harsell said the district deserves bold leadership focused on workforce shortages, rising property taxes, education reform, and public safety.
“North Dakota families are working harder than ever, but government keeps taking more,” Harsell said. “We don’t have a resource problem—we have a leadership problem. I’m running to put working families first.”
A Platform Focused on Results
Cut Property Taxes, Rein in Spending, Empower Voters Expand meaningful relief for both homeowners and renters. Conduct thorough audits of wasteful government spending so we can responsibly raise teacher pay and better support our classrooms. Instead of letting local politicians hand out special property tax incentives and abatements to favored special intreats, we must deliver relief to every North Dakotan. “The hard truth is that when local politicians get to pick winners and losers by handing out selective tax favors to their connected insiders and special interests, it fuels crony capitalism and government favoritism far more than it creates broad-based prosperity for hardworking North Dakota families,” Harsell said.
To reclaim power from out-of-touch bureaucrats and career politicians and return it to where it truly belongs—with North Dakota’s hardworking taxpayers, families, and parents—we will enact real checks and balances through genuine local control.
If 15% of registered voters in any city, county, or school district sign a petition, it will automatically trigger a binding election. Citizens will then have the direct power to choose clear options: Permanent property tax relief by lowering tax rates for every homeowner and renter, or Raising teachers’ pay and better supporting our classrooms — without any tax hikes — by forcing local governments to first conduct thorough audits, cut wasteful spending, and end special tax breaks for connected insiders and special interests.
Strengthen Workforce and Energy Independence Reduce burdensome red tape on North Dakota’s vital oil, gas, and agriculture industries. Eliminate state taxes on tips and overtime pay so workers keep more of what they earn. Incentivize businesses to hire and retain North Dakota graduates in high-demand fields. Slash income taxes
Empower Parents in Education – Expand Education Savings Accounts, stabilize tuition costs, support merit-based teacher pays, and refocus classrooms on core academics, skilled trades, and workforce readiness.
Support Our Veterans, Strengthen Public Safety, and Champion Mental Health
We will expand meaningful tax relief for honorably discharged veterans, Expand National Guard benefits to make North Dakota fully competitive with neighboring states, grow strategic investment in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), and aggressively crack down on fentanyl trafficking that is devastating our communities.
We will also champion comprehensive mental health policies and work to eliminate the stigma that too often prevents North Dakotans from seeking the care they need.
Defend Life and Constitutional Rights – Protect the unborn, strengthen parental rights, and safeguard Second Amendment freedoms especially for renters who have their rights infringed by unconstitutional provisions in the lease.
Taking the Campaign Directly to the People
Harsell also did not participate in a closed-door endorsing convention process, choosing instead to take his message directly to voters across District 42. “Elections should be decided by the voters—not by a small group of insiders operating behind closed doors,” Harsell said. “I respect the party process, but I strongly believe the issues must be debated openly and decided by the people themselves, not by a select few. That’s why I’m running to represent the residents of District 42, and I will take my case directly to them. The last time party insiders nominated unelected candidates behind closed doors, both of those candidates lost decisively—and the voters clearly rejected that approach
For media inquiries or to schedule an interview:
(701) 620-7697
checks may be mailed to:
4250 E 6th Ave Apt 3, Grand Forks 58203
Or Online secure.winred.com/harsell
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