Zac Ista: North Dakota Legislature Isn’t Like the Hatfields and McCoys
New Minority Leader Zac Ista emphasizes collaboration in North Dakota’s Legislature, highlighting friendships across party lines.
Grand Forks, North Dakota, Zac Ista, Democratic Party, Legislature, Republicans, Child Care
Grand Forks: Zac Ista is a friendly guy, even with many Republicans in the state. He believes North Dakota politics isn’t like the Hatfields and McCoys. Instead, he sees it as a place where people can celebrate their camaraderie.
He’s got a lot of Republican friends at the Capitol, and they often work together on bills. Ista wants folks to know that Democrats aren’t just sitting alone in a corner. Their opinions matter, and he’s proud of the relationships he’s built.
As the only Democrat among the 12 lawmakers from Grand Forks, he’s made it clear that every bill he’s passed has had Republican support. He’s optimistic about working together, especially on issues like child care.
When the Legislature kicks off again on January 7, there will be just 16 Democrats out of 141 members. That’s the same as last session but down from previous years. Ista, who’s been in the game since 2019, is stepping up as House minority leader now.
He’s the first Democratic leader from Grand Forks since 2015, and his former colleague, Josh Boschee, thinks he’s a great fit for the role. Ista is known for his ability to communicate and focus on real issues affecting the community.
Growing up in West Fargo and later studying at UND and North Dakota State University, Ista has deep roots in the area. He and his wife now work at Altru Health System in Grand Forks, and he’s about to celebrate his 40th birthday.
As minority leader, he’s got a big job ahead. He’ll need to make sure Democrats have a voice and keep their place at the table. This might mean he’ll have to juggle his own legislative work with these new responsibilities.
In the past, he’s focused on energy, finance, and reducing violence and childhood hunger. Last session, he pushed for free school lunches and wants to expand that program to all students this time around.
He believes that providing free lunches can really help kids do better in school. With North Dakota competing with states like Minnesota, he’s eager to work across party lines to make this happen.
It hasn’t been an easy year for the Democratic Party, with their numbers dwindling in the Legislature. Ista feels it’s important to support those in need and stand up for fundamental rights like health care.
He’s optimistic about the future, saying that politics can be cyclical. He believes there will come a time when Democrats will be competitive again in North Dakota.
Boschee is happy that Democrats maintained their representation after the recent elections. They want to change the narrative about the party, showing that North Dakota Democrats are more moderate than people think.
Ista remembers a time when Democrats held key positions in state politics. He believes that connecting with voters is crucial, whether they’re in cities or rural areas.
Right now, he acknowledges that the party’s image isn’t great, but he’s determined to change that one conversation at a time. He wants to show people that there are two parties in the state and that they often share similar views.