Our History
College Democrats of North Dakota (CDND) was founded on May 17, 2014 after months of planning by a motivated group of students at the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University. Recognizing that our chapters united could share resources, better organize, and expand across the state, CDND was born. CDND is working actively with students across the state of North Dakota to develop chapters at all of North Dakota’s colleges and universities. With help from College Democrats of America, New Generation North Dakota, and the North Dakota Democratic-NPL, CDND will serve as a strong progressive voice advocating for all students.
Our Mission & Values
CDND is a group of young leaders organizing students and promoting progressive values on college and university campuses across North Dakota. CDND strives to encourage and support youth involvement in the political process at all levels of government.
CDND strongly values the rights to quality education, affordable healthcare, economic opportunity, and a life free from discrimination.
Our Team
Jed Hanson, Executive Director, studies political science and public administration at the University of North Dakota. He previously served as CDND’s Communications Director and currently serves as a Traditional Media Coordinator for College Democrats of America. He worked for the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Coordinated Campaign as a field organizer in the 2014 election season. Jed is from Argusville, ND.
Eric Thibert, Political Director, studies political science and international studies at North Dakota State University. A passionate rhetorician, he is also the president of NDSU’s Lincoln Speech and Debate Society. Eric is from Fargo, ND.
Jaleen Yellow Wolf, Finance Director, studies at North Dakota State University.
Nikki Borstad, Communications Director, studies public relations at North Dakota State University. She has served in various public relations roles at NDSU including the Public Relations Chair for the NDSU College Democrats chapter. She also is involved in the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and Student Government. Nikki is originally from Dawson, Minnesota.
Matthew Perdue, Membership Director, studies composite social science education, political science, and leadership at Dickinson State University. He was raised on the family farm. He is the Student Assistant Director of the Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program, President of the DSU League of Political Scientists, a DSU football player, and a North Dakota Farmers Union member. Matthew is from Ray, ND.
Lauren Palmquist, Programs Director, studies history and international studies at North Dakota State University.
Our Party: The North Dakota Democratic-NPL
The Nonpartisan League (NPL) was founded in North Dakota and eventually spread throughout the Midwest and Pacific Northwest during the Progressive Era and was briefly organized as a national party. It also spread northward into Canada, running in provincial elections and providing some of the basis for the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation in Saskatchewan and the Progressive Party of Canada. The Nonpartisan League merged with the Democratic Party of North Dakota in 1956.
Our party was founded on the conviction that wealth and privilege shouldn’t be an entitlement to rule and the belief that the values of hardworking families are the values that should guide us. We didn’t become the most prosperous country in the world by rewarding greed and recklessness or by letting those with the most influence write their own rules. We got here by rewarding hard work and responsibility, by investing in people, and by growing our country from the bottom up.
Today Democrats are fighting to repair a decade of damage and grow an economy based on the values of Main Street, not greed and reckless speculation. Democrats are focused on rescuing our economy not just in the short run but also rebuilding our economy for the long run—an economy that lifts up not just some Americans, but all Americans.
