District 16 Dem-NPL Candidates

Learn more about the candidates running for the North Dakota District 16 legislature with the Dem-NPL party

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<h2>Allow me to introduce myself and my family!</h2><img src="https://run.imgix.net/7c576f9e-ea9d-4b5d-b235-02176f1b3a74/93c00e6b-3bf0-42ff-8e7e-b494738ce874/93c00e6b-3bf0-42ff-8e7e-b494738ce874.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C1150%2C3409%2C3964&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"><h4>My husband Eric and I met when we were 17 and working at a Christian camp in Dent, MN. We're high school sweethearts!</h4>Eric works full-time at Halberstadt's West Acres in Fargo. His main role is being a personal stylist for his customers and he loves what he does! He also films, edits, and stars in their semi-weekly social media video series called Trendsetting. Eric is a native of West Fargo, having graduated from West Fargo High in 2019.Together we have two cats - Stevie and Beast! I adopted Stevie on his first birthday and he is now 5 years old. Beast was adopted by Eric when he was only 4 months old and he is now 3 years old. They are quite snuggly with one another. Stevie loves to play fetch with cat toys and they both enjoy chasing each other around our apartment.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/7c576f9e-ea9d-4b5d-b235-02176f1b3a74/12684cae-05c6-4248-9804-904efe6d1841/12684cae-05c6-4248-9804-904efe6d1841.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C250%2C1536%2C1363&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="35" tiltdirection="right" variant="framed"><h4>I earned two degrees from North Dakota State University (NDSU).</h4>I started with a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Human Development Family Science. When I started at NDSU, I thought I wanted to be an elementary school teacher so I worked in an after-school program. I decided over the school year that wasn't quite right for me, and switched to Political Science because I love learning about law and political systems. I decided to keep my Human Development Family Science credits and make that an additional major because I enjoyed learning about it.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/7c576f9e-ea9d-4b5d-b235-02176f1b3a74/ba2ff817-32ac-4e64-86a6-7779895faf7c/ba2ff817-32ac-4e64-86a6-7779895faf7c.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C180%2C1229%2C1356&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">I recently finished my master's degree in Educational and Organizational Leadership - Higher Education Administration. I know - what a mouthful of a name! That's why I typically refer to it just as Higher Education Administration. I knew two things when I was finishing my bachelor's degree. First, that I wanted to be a politician, and second, that I also wanted to work at universities. That meant that I needed another degree, so on to graduate school I went. I have worked in Residence Life at NDSU for the last 5 years and look forward to starting a professional career in postsecondary education. I truly enjoy being an advocate for students in our universities.<h4>I also competed for Miss North Dakota 2023 and 2024.</h4><img src="https://run.imgix.net/7c576f9e-ea9d-4b5d-b235-02176f1b3a74/c1e66640-cfed-4acb-93ac-08418f6c4508/c1e66640-cfed-4acb-93ac-08418f6c4508.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=743%2C1100%2C1853%2C1983&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="37" tiltdirection="right" variant="framed">While competing for the state title, I worked in local communities to combat food insecurity. In the fall of 2022 I was crowned Miss SummerFest out of Grafton. During my year of service, I met with the three main pantries in Fargo and West Fargo. They gave me tours of their facilities and we spoke about their needs and concerns. I expressed my interest in helping ensure all people are fed and asked how I could help them. The most common answer I received was they needed more volunteers.In the summer of 2023 I was crowned Miss Bonanzaville out of West Fargo. This year of service was spent going to area elementary schools to read to kids about food insecurity. After reading, we talked about how we can help our friends and neighbors if we think or know they need help. I also testified in front of a few different legislative committees in ND about anti-hunger legislation - some of which passed both chambers and became law!<h4>While at NDSU, I was a member of Student Government and took American Sign Language Classes.</h4><img src="https://run.imgix.net/7c576f9e-ea9d-4b5d-b235-02176f1b3a74/90de3833-2d5c-40c4-ac40-c80b6f6d77ee/90de3833-2d5c-40c4-ac40-c80b6f6d77ee.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C401%2C1200%2C833&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">I joined Student Government as a Student Senator in fall of 2022. I was appointed as a Senator to represent graduate students in all areas of campus. I worked with other senators to discuss, amend, and pass campus policies and funding that would benefit our campus. I also sat on a few councils and committees to give insight on student perspective. In October of 2023, I was promoted to the role of Executive Commissioner of Academic and Student Affairs or ASA. In this role, I continued to sit on councils and committees, while overseeing a commission of my own. My commissioners and I worked on events, solutions to student concerns, and upgrades to campus infrastructure. I also headlined a project to get cameras and storage of the footage in the on-campus apartment parking lots, funded by Student Government.My American Sign Language (ASL) classes were a highlight of my studies. In the spring of 2021 I found out that through the tri-college agreement, I could take ASL classes at M-State in Moorhead. I signed up for ASL I in fall of 2021 and quickly fell in love with the language. I learned to sign the alphabet in middle school but this was a great expansion of my knowledge. I also took ASL II in spring of 2022 and gained more experience in a fundamental language of many in the D/deaf community (there's a difference in the big D and the little d). I enjoy getting the opportunity to sign with others, even though I am slower at comprehending and responding than someone fluent in ASL. I encourage everyone to learn ASL and about the D/deaf community.

Below are the issues that are at the forefront of the campaign. This page is not a complete list of all current topics. If you have a concern or question for the candidates about the issues, please feel free to reach out to the team using the Contact page.

<h3>Fighting for Our Community</h3>These are some of the top issues our campaign is focused on. Learn more about our issues <a href="/issues" target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">here</a>.

Our Campaign’s Top Issues

Above all, our team believes in fighting for everyone to have access to the route of education that works for them. We support the following: <ul><li>Public tax dollars going to public schools, no vouchers for private schools</li><li>Supporting our institutions of higher education, from two-year trade schools to the four-year institutions of all types</li><li>Investing in apprenticeship and on the job training programs</li><li>Advertising the ND State Scholarship pathways better</li><li>Leaving curriculum, program, and athletic decisions to the schools and their leadership at all levels</li></ul>

As educated people in many ways, we know the value of a hard-won education and we understand that a traditional degree is not right for everyone. We want to encourage all routes of education for our citizens - particularly public options.

Write a short blurb about an issue your campaign is highlighting. Try to keep the text a similar size between the various issue blurbs.

We have all worked minimum wage jobs and stressed about making ends meet. We know how hard it is to find a job you enjoy, earn enough to pay your bills, and still try and enjoy time to yourself or with loved ones. We also know that it's not easy to start your own business, but it can be done. Our policies to support the workforce are:<ul><li>Workers' safety protections: ND is ranked in the top five for most unsafe states for workers according to the AFL-CIO Labor Union Organization. We need to work with labor organizations to ensure they are putting safety above cutting corners for profits</li><li>Investing in the childcare field to help with staffing issues, as well as work to make it easier to open a childcare facility - without putting child safety at risk</li><li>Support paid family leave for business with more than 50 employees so that small businesses are protected from this cost, while supporting working families</li><li>Working with the housing industry to ensure affordable and safe housing so that workers can afford to put down roots</li><li>Supporting apprenticeship and on the job training programs for workers in fields that can support this</li><li>Encouraging trade schools, tech programs, and in demand degrees</li></ul>

We have worked in various service jobs and fought to get into jobs we love. We know the struggles of trying to make ends meet when wages are stagnant and there are limited protections for workers. It is important to keep our workforce energized and benefitting us all.

Workforce Issues

In North Dakota, too many of our citizens are struggling to feed themselves and their families. 1 in 17 North Dakotans experience food insecurity, which isn't just being hungry. It is a lack of nutritious food, with three levels of severity which are determined by how often you can't access nutritious and healthy food. We also have large food deserts which are areas that don't have a grocery store within a short driving distance. This also has three levels of severity, determined by how many miles the nearest grocery store is. We want to do the following:<ul><li>Provide free school lunch for all K-12 students, regardless of income, in public and private schools</li><li>Invest in rural grocery stores to help prevent closures, support small towns, and reduce or eliminate food deserts</li><li>Bolster the state EBT program at summer farmer's markets to help enable access to farm fresh produce</li><li>Support local food pantries and food banks with grants and program guidance</li><li>Create a statewide task force to combine efforts and resources of rural areas with the larger resources and programs in the urban metros and tackle the problem as a state</li></ul>

In North Dakota, too many of our citizens are struggling to feed themselves and their families. 1 in 18 North Dakotans experience food insecurity, which goes beyond simply being hungry. We have an obligation as the breadbasket of our nation to feed our citizens.

Food Insecurity

We believe in all people's right to make the reproductive decisions that are best for themselves and their families. The government should not be allowed to intervene in our health care decisions, particularly when these decisions are related to something to personal and intimate. We are unequivocally in favor of a woman's right to choose whether to have an abortion or not, just as we support all persons' right to access whatever reproductive and sexual health care they need.

All people should be allowed to make their own medical choices without the input of their government. Access to abortion, emergency contraceptives, birth control, and all forms of sexual healthcare need to be enshrined as a right for all citizens.

Reproductive Rights

We believe in the right to love who you love, live as you are, and pursue the life you want to live. Members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community are not villains or bad people. They do not want to control your life or your child's life, they want to control their own lives. We all deserve to live freely, boldly embodying our true personalities and identities.I, Heather Tyulyandin, am an openly bisexual woman who is married to a straight man. This does not negate my bisexuality, and I am unafraid to be who I am. We all deserve the right to be who we are.

Members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community are not a threat to anyone and deserve the respect and dignity afforded to all people. Everyone deserves to love who they love and exist as themselves.

LGBTQIA2S+ Persons

Despite the passing of the American Disabilities Act, people with disabilities, both visible and not seen, are still discriminated against every day. Some times these moments of discrimination are intentional and obvious. Other times, they can be a well-intentioned comment that actually dismisses or demeans the person with the disability. We want to work with disability advocates to ensure that North Dakota is a place that supports our community members with all levels of ability and disability.I, Heather Tyulyandin, am a young adult with many chronic health conditions that are not visible to others, meaning that I live with invisible disabilities. I recognize that I have the privilege of not being noticeably disabled which protects me from many of the consequences that others experience.We are all fierce believers in enabling everyone to live their life to their full potential and removing barriers to every aspect of society.

Even with the existence of the ADA, members of the disabled community face barriers to everyday living. Visible or invisible, people with disabilities need more protections, access, and inclusion in all aspects of society and life.

Disabilities

We recognize that property tax is expensive and causes some to worry about being able to keep their homes, especially the elderly relying on social security income. However, if North Dakotans eliminate property tax completely, our state will not be able to make up that lost revenue and support our programs. In addition, local control will be limited as local governments will now have to make formal requests to the state legislature for funding.Instead, we support the proposal of the Dem-NPL governor candidate, Merrill Piepkorn. His proposal is as follows:<ul><li>The state will allocate funding from the Legacy Fund's interest gained to school districts to provide 50% of their budgets, with a focus on infrastructure and building needs. This will allow for school districts to re-allocate money to other aspects of their schools' needs, meaning they won't need to raise their mill levies. In turn, this frees up money in the city budgets for the rest of their functions, programs, offices, and capital projects.</li><li>Alongside the above, the state will make permanent the $500 homesteader tax credits for everyone who owns a house and uses that house as their primary residence.</li><li>Finally, seniors and disabled people who meet income requirements will not have to pay property taxes, and the criteria for this tax relief will be expanded.</li></ul>

We recognize that property tax is expensive and causes some to worry about being able to keep their homes, especially the elderly relying on social security income. However, if North Dakotans eliminate property tax completely, our state will not be able to make up that lost revenue and support our programs. In addition, local control will be limited as local governments will now have to make forma

Property Tax Reform

We are of the firm belief that all people should have access to health care and be able to access it without going bankrupt. No one should have to neglect their health because they can't afford to see a doctor. In addition, live saving medications should not be so expensive that someone has to ration their medicine or go without groceries. Each of us has first hand knowledge of health care access and affordability issues. Phil works in health care, Julie's experience as a fire fighter has put her in people's lives in a crisis, and Heather has multiple chronic conditions and her husband is a type-1 diabetic.We will work to protect patients, cut costs on life saving medications, and fight for citizens' access to any health care they need.

We are of the firm belief that all people should have access to health care and be able to access it without going bankrupt. No one should have to neglect their health because they can't afford to see a doctor. In addition, live saving medications should not be so expensive that someone has to ration their medicine or go without groceries.

Health Care Access and Affordability

Your support is appreciated in the effort to flip District 16!

<h3>Contribute now to support our campaign!</h3>

<h2>Campaign Resources</h2>Below are resources for more information on the candidates' stances, where and how to vote, and how to find out more about who is on your ballot this fall!

Candidate Forum Recording

FMWF Chamber's Website on Candidates

Voting Information

Who and What Are on My Ballot?

<h2>Donate to Phil individually.</h2><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/friends-of-phil-weiss-1">https://secure.actblue.com/donate/friends-of-phil-weiss-1</a><h2>Follow Phil on social media.</h2>Phil Weiss for ND House District 16<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558521719960">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558521719960</a>

Phil Weiss for ND House of Representatives

Below are opportunities to connect with Heather, Phil, and Julie. We would love to see you at any or all of these events - please feel free to say hello!

Campaign Events

Come to West Fargo's last Cruise Night of the season, at least one candidate will be there for a bit milling around! Ask about the campaign, see how you can support our team, and enjoy the classic cars and motorcycles owned by area residents!

WF Cruise Night

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NDSU Homecoming Parade

The candidates will be walking in the NDSU Homecoming Parade with friends in celebration of NDSU's Homecoming! Heather is a two-time alumni from NDSU with tons of Bison Pride so come cheer on the Bison and get some candy from the team!

The candidates will be walking in the WestFest Parade with friends to get the word out about the campaign. We'd love to see you in the crowd!

WestFest Parade

League of Women Voters Candidate Forum

The North Dakota League of Women Voters are hosting a District 16 legislative candidates forum for the community to hear from those on your ballot. Julie and Phil have prior commitments so they will be submitting written statements, but Heather will be there to answer questions for the team.

Halloween Treat Street

West Fargo Events and West Fargo Parks are putting on a Trunk or Treat event on October 26th at the POW/MIA Plaza in downtown West Fargo and our team will be there handing out candy! Bring your kids and have a safe and fun trick or treat time!

FMWF Chamber Candidate Open Meet and Greet

This is an event where voters and candidates connect face to face. Come out and get a chance to speak directly with ND House and Senate candidates, as well as Cass County Commission candidates.

Be sure to vote at your local precinct! Your voting location can be found on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://vip.sos.nd.gov/WhereToVote.aspx?tab=AddressandVotingTimes">this website</a>.

General Election

Boo-nanzaville

Bonanzaville Historical Village is putting on a Halloween festival with lots of fun activities for the whole family. Part of the event is a Trunk or Treat and our team will be there handing out candy! Bring your kids and have a safe and fun Halloween party!

Dozens of local organizations and leaders ar standing together!

Heather Tyulyandin for ND Senate

<h2>Donate to Heather individually.</h2><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/tyulyandinfornd?fbclid=IwAR2F9rJgpugRndVsSN4Y2XmRbulaMBG_bnPpyomvQrZoKM33SZAQQEL7TtY">https://secure.actblue.com/donate/tyulyandinfornd?fbclid=IwAR2F9rJgpugRndVsSN4Y2XmRbulaMBG_bnPpyomvQrZoKM33SZAQQEL7TtY</a><h2>Follow Heather on social media. </h2>Facebook: Heather Tyulyandin for ND District 16 State Senate Twitter/X: @tyulyandinfornd Instagram: @tyulyandinfornd

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We would be happy to answer any questions or concerns that you might have. Please fill out all of the boxes to the right and someone from the team will reply to you as soon as we can.

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<h3>Why I'm running</h3>If we want change, we have to participate. That’s why I’m running… so our voices are heard and the issues we care about can be addressed. My friends and neighbors do not feel that our voices are being heard in Bismarck--I want to change that.North Dakota faces complex issues that require fact-based innovative solutions.&nbsp; I am committed to being a voice for our community. Some of the issues to address:<ul><li>raise incomes and lower costs for working families</li><li>support quality public education</li><li>increase access to quality healthcare, including mental health</li><li>advocate for reproductive rights and private health decisions</li></ul><h3>About me</h3>I grew up in a south Fargo neighborhood and graduated from Fargo South. I earned B.S. degrees from both MSUM and NDSU. After several years working in the service industry in Fargo, I went back to school in echocardiography (I scan hearts) and work in a variety of health care systems. My family influenced my interest in public service. Each generation has served in some capacity, as county commissioners, school board members, state's attorney, sheriff, and legislator. I've seen firsthand that you have to take action if you want to make a positive impact. I hope to be that positive change for District 16.&nbsp;

Heather, Julie, and Phil for ND State

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Dozens of local organizations and leaders are standing together!

Julie West for ND House of Representatives

Get Involved

We believe in putting people first. There are times where we have to decide whether to serve our people or ourselves. The choice to serve others comes naturally to us, and we will always put you first.

Click below to read up on what we've been up to in our efforts to put you first! For older articles, it's important to note Heather's maiden name is Gades.

Latest Campaign Developments

This article discusses changes made to the city of West Fargo's budget. Some of these changes were made specifically in response to Heather's questions at the September 16th meeting.

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West Fargo keeps tax rate flat...

The city of West Fargo is in the final stages of their budgeting process for 2025. This includes needing to have a public hearing on the budget, which was held September 16, 2024. Heather attended the meeting and spoke about ensuring that some of the smaller, repeated line items are necessary.

Residents voice concerns over West Fargo city budget

District 16 Democratic-NPL candidates will flip burgers at a family burger and fun night June 19, 5:30 p.m., Rendezvous Park. Open to the public.&nbsp; Free will donation. Candidates are Julie West, Heather Tyulyandin, and Phillip Weiss.&nbsp; Paid for by District 16 Democratic-NPL Party, Lyle Jabs, Treasurer

Family Fun June 19, West Fargo

District 16 Democratic-NPL candidates will be flipping burgers at a family fun night in Rendezvous Park in West Fargo at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 19.

District 16 Candidates Burger Fundraiser

The event will be held April 25 at Traditions Restaurant.

District 16 Dem-NPL to host meet and greet

This is the press release announcing Julie's candidacy for State Representative.

West Fargo firefighter announces bid for North Dakota House

These are the bios of Heather, Phil, and Julie that District 16 has shared on their website alongside their endorsement.

District 16 Dem-NPL Endorses Heather Tyulyandin for State Senate

Eight Cass County Democrats receive endorsements for N.D. legislative races

On March 2nd, Cass County Dem-NPL party held their conventions and officially endorsed district candidates. District 16 endorsed Heather Tyulyandin for State Senate and Philip Weiss for State House.

Heather wrote a Letter to the Editor about combatting food insecurity in our state because this is a core issue for her. This is her second Letter to the Editor on this topic.

Letter: More needs to be done to erase school lunch debt in North Dakota

Read about why Heather decided to run and her thoughts on Gen Z involvement in politics!

North Dakota Dems hope to turn heads and a few seats in 2024

Jared Slinde with the Great Plains Food Bank did a podcast episode with Heather to talk about her experience with school lunch shaming.

Heather Gades shared her personal story of lunch shaming

Heather spoke with Joel Heitkamp about her lunch debt story on his show News &amp; Views.

Heather Gades shares her story on school lunch debt

This is Heather's first Letter to the Editor about her own story with food insecurity growing up. This issue is personal to her which is why she continues to fight for ending hunger.

Letter: My principal threatened to not let me walk on graduation day due to lunch debt

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<h2>Donate to Julie individually.</h2><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/friends-of-julie-west-1">https://secure.actblue.com/donate/friends-of-julie-west-1</a><h2>Follow Julie on social media.</h2>Facebook: Julie West for ND House District 16

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<h2>About me</h2>Nurturing strength and spiritAs a mother of three vibrant boys, each with their own distinct passions, my days are filled with the joy of exploration and connection. Whether we're shooting hoops in the driveway, gathered around the table for game nights, or adventuring in the great outdoors, our bond grows stronger with every shared moment. Witnessing the unique personalities of my sons blossom fills me with immense pride, seeing them evolve into compassionate and driven young men.Embracing curiosityMy own curiosity about the world fuels my love for outdoor exploration and continual learning. Embracing the dynamic nature of my job, I find fulfillment in encountering new challenges that demand creative solutions and fresh perspectives. Though my journey post-high school led me through various academic pursuits—from Psychology to Neuroscience to Exercise Science—my most cherished role has been as a devoted caregiver to my boys during their formative years. Volunteering in my community has always been a cornerstone of my life, a testament to my belief in the profound impact of serving others.Be the change you want to see in the worldMy passion for advocacy, particularly for the rights and well-being of women and children, was deeply inspired by my grandmother's tireless dedication to supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Her legacy became my guiding light, especially poignant in her final encouragement to continue her noble work. Shortly before her passing, she expressed such pride in me for "picking up the torch" and following in her footsteps. I've remained steadfast in my commitment to honor her memory by amplifying the voices of the marginalized and fighting against injustice.Home is where the heart isMy family holds a cherished place in my heart, anchoring me through life's highs and lows. Despite the geographical distance that separates us, the influence of my siblings remains a profound force, shaping my journey in countless ways. At the center of it all stands my unwavering pillar of support—my mother. Her boundless love and unwavering encouragement have been constants in my life and have deeply enriched the lives of my boys. I am endlessly grateful for her steadfast presence, knowing that her unwavering support is a beacon of strength in our lives.

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This is the official campaign site for Heather Tyulyandin, Julie West, and Phil Weiss who are running for the state legislature in District 16 in West Fargo, ND.

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