Heidi Heitkamp – Junior Senator from North Dakota Heitkamp hails from the small town of Mantador, ND. On Jan. 3, 2013 she was sworn in as the first female Senator from North Dakota. Before her role as Senator, she acted as an attorney where she battled drug dealers, sexual predators and tobacco companies. She sits on the Senate Agriculture Committee and Committee on Indian Affairs and serves on the Banking, Small Business and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committees.  

Main goals for 2014:

Energy Independence: Like Senator Hoeven, Senator Heitkamp believes that when it comes to energy development, there should not be a one-size-fits-all solution. She also believes North Dakota is a prime example of energy independence for a state

Heitkamp’s Take: “A lot of the talk about policies coming out of Washington regarding energy…  it’s not good for our state, but equally not good for the country as we pursue the goal of energy independence for North America.”

Education for Native America Children: Senator Heitkamp has recently introduced a plan she hopes will find solutions to the issues facing Native American children. The bipartisan legislation would create a commission to study all of those issues.

Heitkamp’s Take: “It’s a concern I think I share with many, especially families on the reservations, that we need to do better for our Native American kids.”

Veterans: Senator Heitkamp wants to ensure our veterans are thanked appropriately. She wants to ensure they have the right opportunities both in and out of service.

Heitkamp’s Take: “A lot of programs will look at jobs, education, housing opportunities and healthcare. We need to be sure that the American people thank all of our veterans appropriately.”

Housing Shortage: There has been a housing boom in North Dakota, but it has not kept up with the demand. Throughout the state, especially out west, there is a housing shortage that Senator Heitkamp believes needs to be addressed immediately.

Heitkamp’s Take: “We’re looking at national housing policies that we’ve been part of in Washington DC, developing new models for Fannie (Mae) and Freddie (Mac), or replacements for Fannie and Freddie, and taking a look at how we can continue the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, which makes home ownership so affordable for young families.”

Debt Deficit: Like Senator Hoeven, Senator Heitkamp believes that the debt deficit needs to be addressed immediately. With the country $17 trillion in debt, something needs to happen soon.

Heitkamp’s Take: “(It’s important) to have those discussions that move us forward on resolving the fiscal crisis in the country and getting us back to regular orders so that we can appropriately manage our debt deficit.”  

 What is the general sentiment about Fargo and North Dakota in DC?

“Beyond the movie? (Laughs) I think they’re really curious about what’s happening here. What I try and do is go beyond just what’s happening in energy, which they hear the most about, and talk about research that NDSU is doing. Talk about what we’re doing with our unmanned aircraft, and that we’re on the cutting edge of that technology up in Grand Forks. Talk about what North Dakota is providing in terms of Microsoft and the things that we do in Bismarck, Fargo and North Dakota that go beyond what people would traditionally see. We’ve got a great story to tell in North Dakota.”  

 What are some of your favorite things to do in Fargo?

“I always feel bad if I leave Fargo and I haven’t gone to Zandbroz. I love Zandbroz. There’s also all of downtown really. There are wonderful restaurants. I’m a big fan of the Red Pepper. I would tell anyone who wanted to hear that the Red Pepper in Fargo is as good as the Red Pepper in Grand Forks.” 

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