Ryan Braunberger (D)
Ryan Braunberger is a North Dakota State Senator, community leader, and public servant running for Secretary of State to strengthen trust in elections and ensure government works for every North Dakotan. Representing Fargo’s District 10 since 2022 and serving as Senate Minority Caucus Leader, Ryan has worked to promote transparency, accountability, and policies that strengthen communities across the state.
Before entering public office, Ryan built a career in the private sector while remaining deeply committed to community service. He earned an associate degree in Business Administration and graduated magna cum laude from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Guided by a belief that democracy works best when everyone can participate, Ryan is running to expand voter education, protect election integrity, and ensure North Dakota’s elections remain fair, secure, and accessible to all eligible voters.
Michael Howe (R)
Michael Howe, North Dakota’s Republican Secretary of State since 2023, has repeatedly worked to undermine Native voting rights and weaken protections for marginalized voters. He defended a redistricting map that a federal court found illegally diluted Native voting power and pushed to delay its correction. Despite claiming the state’s elections are “secure,” Howe has actively supported policies that suppress Indigenous representation.
Most notably, Howe backed a ruling from the 8th Circuit Court that stripped tribal nations of their ability to sue under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act – one of the few legal tools left to fight racial discrimination in voting. His record makes clear: Howe is more interested in preserving power than protecting democracy.