Former Dem-NPL state lawmaker Vern Thompson launches campaign for US House

Former state lawmaker Vern Thompson announced a campaign for U.S. House on Monday, the second Democrat seeking to challenge Republican incumbent Julie Fedorchak.

Thompson, 69, an independent trucker who hauls natural gas liquids, appeared on KFGO’s News and Views with Joel Heitkamp on Monday to announce his congressional run.

“The people deserve better,” Thompson said. “And I can holler on the sidelines, like at a ballgame, but it’s time to get off my butt and get into the game.”

He represented the Minnewaukan area, near Devils Lake, in the North Dakota House from 1989-1990 and served from 1997-2000 in the Senate, including one session as Senate minority caucus leader.

Thompson plans to seek the Democratic-NPL Party’s endorsement at the state convention in Bismarck on March 6-8, where Trygve Hammer also plans to seek support from the party. Thompson said he would not challenge Hammer in the June primary if delegates endorse Hammer. 

Round two: North Dakota Democrat Trygve Hammer announces second run for US House

Thompson also committed to serving no more than two terms in the U.S. House, if North Dakota voters elect him to the position.

During his interview, Thompson criticized Fedorchak for not standing up to President Donald Trump’s administration when it implemented tariff policies that hurt North Dakota farmers.

When describing recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Minnesota that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens, he said people are starting to see through the lies being issued by the Department of Homeland Security. Thompson called for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Customs and Border Protection Officer Greg Bovino to be fired.

“We have to hold people accountable,” he said. 

Although he criticized the Trump administration’s methods, Thompson said he believes undocumented immigrants should be deported.

“The border needs to be secure,” he said. 

Thompson wrote an open letter to Fedorchak in January that criticized her for supporting the One, Big Beautiful Bill, allowing Affordable Care Act premium tax credits to expire and not holding public town hall meetings.

In addition to Fedorchak, Republican Alex Balazs has announced a campaign for House.

North Dakota Monitor reporter Michael Achterling can be reached at [email protected].