REPRESENTATIVE BILL TVEIDT CAUGHT MISLEADING VOTERS WITH OUTDATED STATEMENTS MADE BEFORE ANTI-COAL VOTES

BISMARCK, N.D. — District 33 candidate Mike Heger and several industry groups are condemning Representative Bill Tveidt for releasing misleading radio and social media ads highlighting statements from the Lignite Energy Council and Greater North Dakota Chamber. The problem for Rep Tveidt is these recognitions were given in 2021 prior to his barrage of anti-energy and anti-business votes.

As a result of Rep. Tveidt’s votes against coal, and business. COALPAC, Greater Chamber PAC, and North Dakota Farm Bureau have all shifted their support to Mike Heger, a reality which runs counter to the perception Tveidt is making with his ad. Mike Heger and other North Dakota energy leaders have described the ad as a desperate attempt to mislead voters.

Asked about Tveidt’s ad on the Dakota Morning talk show, Jonathan Fortner President of the Lignite Energy Council stated, “Over the last few sessions, the constituents and the people that work in the industry that are constituents in District 33 have noticed the change in the voting habits and the policy interest that’s there. And so, over those past couple cycles, there’s been a kind of a groundswell of ‘can we find a better candidate? Can we find somebody who’s going to do more to support the industry and the opportunities that are in front of us?', and that’s where candidate Mike Heger was able to step forward and put his hat in the ring.”

Fortner further stressed that the LEC does not endorse candidates for office, but the COALPAC, which is supported by coal industry employees, does. He continued, "The committee got together, and they decided to vote for Mike Heger and Anna Novak in District 33. There’s no secret to who CoalPAC is supporting. It’s just unfortunate that a candidate would be out there running an ad insinuating that they have the endorsement or support of the coal industry—the PAC—when that’s not the case. Past recognition for votes cast in a previous session—that’s great, but past recognition does not equal current endorsement. Every vote, every session stands on its own. Where we’re at currently and where the industry needs to go in the future, we have decided, CoalPAC—I’ll say it again—we have endorsed Mike Heger for District 33 House.”

Addressing the controversy Mike Heger stated, “District 33 deserves and needs representatives who will aggressively support efforts to expand value-added opportunities for lignite, attract new development, support grid reliability and create future economic opportunities in rural North Dakota.  We simply haven’t had enough of that during the last two legislative sessions.  That’s why I’m in this race.  To me, the ad is unfortunate in that it tends to deceive voters into thinking that organizations like COALPAC, Greater Chamber PAC, and North Dakota Farm Bureau support Representative Tveit.  They have supported my race – I would encourage Rep. Tviet to take down the misleading radio and social media that are not a true representation to the voters of District 33.”

Heger, president of BNI Energy and a longtime leader in North Dakota’s energy industry, is running for the North Dakota House in District 33 with a focus on supporting responsible energy development, strengthening North Dakota’s business climate, and advancing growth opportunities in our rural communities. Heger brings nearly three decades of experience in mining, engineering, and energy leadership. He currently serves in leadership roles with organizations including the Greater North Dakota Chamber and the Lignite Energy Council, two groups that have consistently advocated pro-growth and pro-energy policies in North Dakota.

Heger has also earned the endorsement of Gov. Kelly Armstrong, who praised the importance of electing experienced, solutions-oriented conservatives who understand the importance energy industries play in powering North Dakota future.

The District 33 race will help determine whether North Dakota continues to support policies that encourage investment, energy production, and economic growth or moves toward policies that create uncertainty for employers, workers, and communities that depend on affordable, reliable energy.

“The future of District 33 has amazing potential if supported by the appropriate state policies. I believe we need more people in the Legislature who can help shape and implement those policies,” Heger said. “I’ve spent my career fighting for reliable energy, good-paying jobs, and strong communities, and that’s exactly how I’ll serve in the Legislature. I’m grateful that COALPAC, Greater Chamber PAC, and North Dakota Farm Bureau support me in that mission.”

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