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Agriculture Commissioner
2026 North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner — General Election · November 3, 2026
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North Dakota Secretary of State — 2026 General Election Certified Candidate List
Contest: Agriculture Commissioner
Candidate: Vern Thompson
Party: Democratic-NPL
Term length: 4 years
Jurisdiction: Statewide
Mailing address: 2214 Victoria Rose Dr S
Mailing address: Fargo ND 58104-6813
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.thompson4nd.com/
Phone: (701) 400-6767
Only contact details published in official filing records, FEC filings, or a verified candidate-owned source with retained exact evidence appear here.
2214 Victoria Rose Dr S · Fargo ND 58104-6813
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Mailing address: 2214 Victoria Rose Dr S
Mailing address: Fargo ND 58104-6813
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.thompson4nd.com/
Phone: (701) 400-6767
Publication here means only that the contact detail appeared in the cited filing. It is not an endorsement, and older filings may remain visible until an amended official record is captured.
Verified records and candidate-provided claims are labeled separately.
Rural communities and family farms depend on one another to survive. Many of the country's best and brightest individuals grew up in rural communities, but this talented generation left for the cities due in large part to housing availability. Retaining and recruiting farm labor, business owners, veterinarians, teachers, and tradespeople is nearly impossible when there are no move-in ready homes available in a rural community.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Rural communities and family farms depend on one another to survive. Many of the country's best and brightest individuals grew up in rural communities, but this talented generation left for the cities due in large part to housing availability. Retaining and recruiting farm labor, business owners, veterinarians, teachers, and tradespeople is nearly impossible when there are no move-in ready homes available in a rural community.
Vern Thompson has spent his life working: farming, trucking hazardous bulk liquids, serving in the state legislature, leading as mayor of Minnewaukan during the Devils Lake flood fight, and calling fouls as a basketball referee. He's a working man who, with his wife Cindy, built an independent trucking business in Fargo and raised two children, Will and Kathryn. Vern knows what it takes to make a payroll. And after years in the game, he knows a foul when he sees one.
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Vern Thompson has spent his life working: farming, trucking hazardous bulk liquids, serving in the state legislature, leading as mayor of Minnewaukan during the Devils Lake flood fight, and calling fouls as a basketball referee. He's a working man who, with his wife Cindy, built an independent trucking business in Fargo and raised two children, Will and Kathryn. Vern knows what it takes to make a payroll. And after years in the game, he knows a foul when he sees one.
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All parties need to come together and pass a comprehensive Farm Bill that includes funding for crop insurance, conservation, nutrition and agricultural research. Vern will collaborate with Ag Commissioners from across the country to go down to DC and fight for a fully funded Farm Bill!
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All parties need to come together and pass a comprehensive Farm Bill that includes funding for crop insurance, conservation, nutrition and agricultural research. Vern will collaborate with Ag Commissioners from across the country to go down to DC and fight for a fully funded Farm Bill!
The Agriculture Commissioner serves on the Industrial Commission, which oversees 17 state agencies. As one of three members alongside the governor and attorney general, Vern will ensure transparency in all commission decisions. He will refuse to meet in secret executive sessions, where commissioners lock out members of the public. No more sweetheart deals for billionaires. No more letting out-of-state corporations take advantage of our resources and infrastructure. Vern is standing up for workers, farmers, ranchers, rural communities, and every taxpayer in North Dakota.
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The Agriculture Commissioner serves on the Industrial Commission, which oversees 17 state agencies. As one of three members alongside the governor and attorney general, Vern will ensure transparency in all commission decisions. He will refuse to meet in secret executive sessions, where commissioners lock out members of the public. No more sweetheart deals for billionaires. No more letting out-of-state corporations take advantage of our resources and infrastructure. Vern is standing up for workers, farmers, ranchers, rural communities, and every taxpayer in North Dakota.
We are experiencing the worst farm crisis in 40 years. As Ag Commissioner, Vern will fight for fair commodity and input prices so that hard working people can pass on their land to the next generation. Struggling farmers must be offered answers to their financial concerns, so we need to bolster the North Dakota Mediation Service with more ag credit counselors.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
We are experiencing the worst farm crisis in 40 years. As Ag Commissioner, Vern will fight for fair commodity and input prices so that hard working people can pass on their land to the next generation. Struggling farmers must be offered answers to their financial concerns, so we need to bolster the North Dakota Mediation Service with more ag credit counselors.
Let’s require Community Benefit Agreements and bonding for reclamation and decommissioning. Hold the corporations accountable by requiring these things upfront, before permits are given. Development must be done the right way the first time. Involve the community. No NDAs. Do things out in the open. Long term planning, so that when the construction is over or the data center is obsolete, the community isn't left with a mess. Build the roads up before you ruin them. Study road and pedestrian safety to prevent disasters. Build permanent housing, not man camps. Community benefit agreements.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Let’s require Community Benefit Agreements and bonding for reclamation and decommissioning. Hold the corporations accountable by requiring these things upfront, before permits are given. Development must be done the right way the first time. Involve the community. No NDAs. Do things out in the open. Long term planning, so that when the construction is over or the data center is obsolete, the community isn't left with a mess. Build the roads up before you ruin them. Study road and pedestrian safety to prevent disasters. Build permanent housing, not man camps. Community benefit agreements.
The people of North Dakota have been ignored for far too long. Sweetheart deals and unilateral decisions are being made in places of power that negatively impact your lives. Enough is enough. As your Agriculture Commissioner, Vern will hold regular in-person town halls to share what is going on in Bismarck and listen to what is going on in your communities. Together, we can make a difference.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
The people of North Dakota have been ignored for far too long. Sweetheart deals and unilateral decisions are being made in places of power that negatively impact your lives. Enough is enough. As your Agriculture Commissioner, Vern will hold regular in-person town halls to share what is going on in Bismarck and listen to what is going on in your communities. Together, we can make a difference.
JBS, Tyson, Cargill, and National Beef control over 80% of America's beef processing. They set the prices. Farmers take what they're given. That's a monopoly! Vern will champion a meatpacking co-op to bring fair prices for producers, quality local meat to consumers, and a more vibrant rural economy.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
JBS, Tyson, Cargill, and National Beef control over 80% of America's beef processing. They set the prices. Farmers take what they're given. That's a monopoly! Vern will champion a meatpacking co-op to bring fair prices for producers, quality local meat to consumers, and a more vibrant rural economy.
As one of the most influential voices in Bismarck, Vern will testify in legislative committees on behalf of your interests, not the interests of multi-billion dollar out-of-state corporations.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
As one of the most influential voices in Bismarck, Vern will testify in legislative committees on behalf of your interests, not the interests of multi-billion dollar out-of-state corporations.
We need to stand up for landowners. Private property rights matter. The ND Constitution matters. The Industrial Commission also oversees the Carbon Capture and Sequestration Program. Vern will be the voice of private property rights and the ND Constitution on the Industrial Commission.
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We need to stand up for landowners. Private property rights matter. The ND Constitution matters. The Industrial Commission also oversees the Carbon Capture and Sequestration Program. Vern will be the voice of private property rights and the ND Constitution on the Industrial Commission.
American consumers deserve to know where their food is coming from. Right now, voluntary labeling lets the big meatpackers hide that information. Restoring mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) for beef and pork will help North Dakota producers get the price they deserve for their superior products.
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American consumers deserve to know where their food is coming from. Right now, voluntary labeling lets the big meatpackers hide that information. Restoring mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) for beef and pork will help North Dakota producers get the price they deserve for their superior products.
One of the state agencies overseen by the Industrial Commission is the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency, which provides low-interest mortgages and supports affordable housing development. As Ag Commissioner, Vern will support initiatives for rural communities to build and remodel move-in ready homes.
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One of the state agencies overseen by the Industrial Commission is the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency, which provides low-interest mortgages and supports affordable housing development. As Ag Commissioner, Vern will support initiatives for rural communities to build and remodel move-in ready homes.
Managing your mental health during the best of times is difficult enough. During times of unstable markets, low crop prices, and high input costs, producers are under an incredible amount of stress. Vern's Ag Department staff will focus on conducting surveys, researching solutions, and working with policymakers and organizations to address the current crisis.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Managing your mental health during the best of times is difficult enough. During times of unstable markets, low crop prices, and high input costs, producers are under an incredible amount of stress. Vern's Ag Department staff will focus on conducting surveys, researching solutions, and working with policymakers and organizations to address the current crisis.
Support for rural communities does not end with housing. Local foods, water, infrastructure, and electricity are all under the umbrella of the Industrial Commission. Vern will take the office of the Ag Commissioner around the state to host town halls. Meeting with mayors, council members, and community leaders will inform the Ag Department on how to have the most impact supporting rural development. Potential projects include: A rural endowment fund. Interest earned on the fund will provide flexible grants to communities with populations fewer than 1,000 residents. More support for Operation Intern through the Department of Commerce, to attract workers to rural communities and recruit local young people to take over for aging business owners.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Support for rural communities does not end with housing. Local foods, water, infrastructure, and electricity are all under the umbrella of the Industrial Commission. Vern will take the office of the Ag Commissioner around the state to host town halls. Meeting with mayors, council members, and community leaders will inform the Ag Department on how to have the most impact supporting rural development. Potential projects include: A rural endowment fund. Interest earned on the fund will provide flexible grants to communities with populations fewer than 1,000 residents. More support for Operation Intern through the Department of Commerce, to attract workers to rural communities and recruit local young people to take over for aging business owners.
The Agriculture Commissioner does not directly control hunting and conservation policy. However, as the #1 advocate for North Dakota farmers and landowners, Vern will work closely with ND Game and Fish to help landowners, the state, and hunters work together to sustain our essential traditions. He recognizes that hunting access has become a major issue because 93% of the state's land is privately owned and landowners can now post their land digitally. Push to expand the Governor's Legacy Soil Health and Habitat program to offer cost sharing for agriculture practices such as shelterbelt tree planting in addition to grass seeding. Explore other avenues for soil health initiatives that also support wildlife Recognize that farmers and landowners bear financial risk from hunting policy, and make sure that their voices are heard, every single day.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
The Agriculture Commissioner does not directly control hunting and conservation policy. However, as the #1 advocate for North Dakota farmers and landowners, Vern will work closely with ND Game and Fish to help landowners, the state, and hunters work together to sustain our essential traditions. He recognizes that hunting access has become a major issue because 93% of the state's land is privately owned and landowners can now post their land digitally. Push to expand the Governor's Legacy Soil Health and Habitat program to offer cost sharing for agriculture practices such as shelterbelt tree planting in addition to grass seeding. Explore other avenues for soil health initiatives that also support wildlife Recognize that farmers and landowners bear financial risk from hunting policy, and make sure that their voices are heard, every single day.
I support agricultural development. But it has to be done right, with corporate accountability. CAFOs that cut corners and take opportunity away from family operations are not the answer.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
I support agricultural development. But it has to be done right, with corporate accountability. CAFOs that cut corners and take opportunity away from family operations are not the answer.
North Dakota farmers and ranchers feed the world. Vern will work to open and expand export markets so North Dakota agriculture can compete and win on the world stage.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
North Dakota farmers and ranchers feed the world. Vern will work to open and expand export markets so North Dakota agriculture can compete and win on the world stage.
Tariffs are hurting farmers and consumers. Since tariffs are a tax on American consumers, they never should have been enacted without authorization from Congress. We lost global markets — China used to buy 70% of our soybeans. Now Brazil and Argentina have taken over. The result for consumers has been higher grocery prices. We are supposed to have a free market. Tariffs should be used sparingly and only after negotiations are in place.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Tariffs are hurting farmers and consumers. Since tariffs are a tax on American consumers, they never should have been enacted without authorization from Congress. We lost global markets — China used to buy 70% of our soybeans. Now Brazil and Argentina have taken over. The result for consumers has been higher grocery prices. We are supposed to have a free market. Tariffs should be used sparingly and only after negotiations are in place.
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