Ross's Legislative Priorities

Ross is grateful to be a product of North Dakota’s public schools; schools that helped shape his work ethic, curiosity, and sense of responsibility to community. He believes a strong public education system is one of the greatest investments we can make in our children, our workforce, and the future of our state.

Ross wants every student, whether they grow up in Fargo, Reile’s Acres, or a small rural town, to have the same opportunity to succeed after graduation. That means classrooms where teachers are supported, students are well prepared for careers or college, and families feel welcomed as partners in their children’s education. Public schools have always been the heart of North Dakota communities, and Ross believes they deserve steady, dependable support.

To help students reach their potential, Ross supports:

• Providing breakfast and lunch at no cost so every child can focus on learning

• Expanding access to high-quality, voluntary Pre-K programs

• Strengthening “Choice-Ready” education that prepares students for college, careers, or the military

• Paying competitive salaries to attract and retain excellent teachers

Ross also believes decisions about our schools should remain close to home. North Dakota communities know their students better than anyone, and local educators and parents should continue to guide what happens in their classrooms. He is cautious about proposals that would divert resources away from public schools, weaken local control, or create long-term uncertainty for how schools are funded.

Above all, Ross sees public education as a promise between generations—the promise that every child, no matter their background, will have the chance to build a good life here in North Dakota. He will work to protect that promise and make sure our schools remain a source of pride for decades to come.

Ross believes every North Dakotan should be able to see a doctor and afford the care their family needs. Good health shouldn’t depend on where you live, what job you hold, or how much is in your checking account. Our goal should be a healthcare system that is reliable, affordable, and focused on better outcomes for patients.

This issue is personal for Ross. As a self-employed small business owner, he knows how stressful and confusing health insurance can be. That challenge became even more real in 2020 when his daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, and the Lockhart family had to navigate the cost of lifelong care. Experiences like that are shared by families across North Dakota.

Ross supports practical steps to strengthen healthcare in our state:

• Protect and restore Medicaid resources that support working families and rural providers

• Strengthen consumer protections for medical debt

• Make employer insurance more affordable by limiting out-of-pocket costs

• Invest in rural clinics, emergency services, mental health, prenatal care, and telehealth

• Encourage policies that put patients and local communities first

Ross believes North Dakota can lead with common-sense solutions that keep families healthier and communities stronger.

North Dakotans know that markets work best when people have real choices. When too much power is concentrated in too few hands, consumers pay more, producers earn less, and local communities lose opportunity. Ross believes North Dakota has a long tradition of standing up for fair competition and common-sense solutions that keep our economy rooted close to home.

State-owned enterprises like the Bank of North Dakota and the State Mill & Elevator are examples of that practical spirit. A century ago, North Dakotans created these institutions to make sure farmers, small businesses, and local banks had a fair chance to succeed. The challenge they were designed to address in 1919—how to thrive in an economy dominated by large, distant corporations—is a challenge many communities are facing once again.

Agriculture shows this clearly. As ownership in processing, equipment, and inputs has become more concentrated, many family farmers and ranchers feel they have less control over the prices they pay and the prices they receive. Ross has seen this change firsthand in his hometown of Grandin, where a once self-contained farm community has gradually become more of a bedroom town as ag-related jobs disappeared.

Ross believes North Dakota can respond the same way it has in the past: with steady, practical steps that restore balance without picking winners and losers. He supports efforts to:

• Encourage regulators to examine price spikes and promote transparency so markets remain fair for consumers and producers alike.

• Work with federal officials to ensure existing competition laws, including the Clayton Act and the Packers and Stockyards Act, are applied in ways that protect independent farmers and small businesses.

• Advance “Right to Repair” policies that allow farmers and consumers reasonable access to the tools and diagnostic information needed to maintain their own equipment.

These are not partisan ideas, they are North Dakota ideas: protecting competition, supporting local enterprise, and making sure the next generation can still build a life in rural communities.

Before returning to the family farm in 2012, Ross worked as a management consultant specializing in performance reviews of state and local government agencies. That experience gave him a practical understanding of how public services are delivered and how important it is to safeguard taxpayer dollars with clear rules and strong oversight. Ross wants to bring that same careful, problem-solving approach to Bismarck.

Ross believes one of the highest responsibilities of an elected official is to be open and accountable to the people they serve. North Dakotans expect their government to be honest, efficient, and focused on the public good. When decisions are made behind closed doors or spending priorities don’t match the needs of everyday families, trust in government begins to erode.

Ross supports common-sense reforms that put transparency first and ensure tax dollars are used wisely. He believes policies should reflect North Dakota values of moderation and respect for public service. If elected, Ross will work to strengthen oversight, improve reporting to the public, and make sure every dollar is treated with the same care working families and small business owners use in their own budgets.

Good government isn’t about partisanship, it’s about responsibility, fairness, and earning the confidence of the people of North Dakota.

As a fourth-generation farmer and the grandson of Scottish and German immigrants, Ross was raised to believe in the value of a hard day’s work. He feels a deep respect for the people who show up day after day with the simple goal of providing for their families and taking pride in a job well done. That work ethic has always been the backbone of North Dakota.

But many families are finding that effort alone doesn’t stretch as far as it used to. Wages have struggled to keep pace with the rising cost of groceries, housing, and childcare. Too many neighbors are working more than one job and still worrying about how to get ahead. Community food pantries and local charities are doing their best, yet the need remains high, especially in rural towns.

Ross believes North Dakota can do more to make work pay again. With unemployment low, our focus should be on helping working families build stability and opportunity, not just getting by. He supports practical steps that strengthen both workers and local businesses:

• Gradually raising the minimum wage so full-time work supports a family

• Creating a responsible statewide paid leave program

• Protecting the freedom of workers to organize and have a voice on the job

• Expanding training and apprenticeship programs in high-demand fields

These ideas reflect North Dakota values: rewarding work, supporting families, and making sure the next generation can see a future here at home.