EPISODE · Feb 28, 2026 · 43 MIN
Perry Schmacher and State Rep Ben Koppelman discuss battles within the NDGOP
from Open Range · host garyemineth
In this in-depth conversation, legislator Ben Koppelman from District 16 joins Perry Schumacher on Open Range to tackle one of the most contentious issues facing North Dakota politics: the growing tension between district endorsements and primary elections. As grassroots involvement surges across the state, incumbents are facing unprecedented challenges to their seats, exposing a fundamental question—what does it truly mean to be a Republican in North Dakota? Koppelman pulls no punches in discussing the "disease of incumbency," explaining how politicians cling to time, money, and power. He reveals the uncomfortable truth that many current North Dakota Republicans would have run as Democrats 20-30 years ago, having absorbed the remnants of the state's defunct Democratic Party. This identity crisis has created a Republican brand so broad it's become nearly meaningless. The conversation explores critical procedural questions: Should district conventions have more authority in endorsing candidates? Why can anyone claim to be a Republican and run in the primary without party membership verification? Is it fair for incumbents to skip district endorsements and go straight to the primary when facing grassroots challenges? Koppelman advocates for strengthening party membership requirements, suggesting that only verified Republicans should vote in Republican primaries—similar to how presidential caucuses operate. He emphasizes the importance of citizen involvement at the district level, where voters can hold legislators accountable face-to-face rather than leaving decisions to mass advertising campaigns. From constitutional gifting clause violations to leadership control tactics, this wide-ranging discussion exposes the machinery of state politics that most citizens never see. Whether you're frustrated with establishment politics or simply want to understand how your state government really works, this conversation provides essential insights into the future of North Dakota's political landscape. #northdakotapolitics #GrassrootsActivism #RepublicanParty #PoliticalReform #LocalPolitics
What this episode covers
In this in-depth conversation, legislator Ben Koppelman from District 16 joins Perry Schumacher on Open Range to tackle one of the most contentious issues facing North Dakota politics: the growing tension between district endorsements and primary elections. As grassroots involvement surges across the state, incumbents are facing unprecedented challenges to their seats, exposing a fundamental question—what does it truly mean to be a Republican in North Dakota? Koppelman pulls no punches in discussing the "disease of incumbency," explaining how politicians cling to time, money, and power. He reveals the uncomfortable truth that many current North Dakota Republicans would have run as Democrats 20-30 years ago, having absorbed the remnants of the state's defunct Democratic Party. This identity crisis has created a Republican brand so broad it's become nearly meaningless. The conversation explores critical procedural questions: Should district conventions have more authority in endorsing candidates? Why can anyone claim to be a Republican and run in the primary without party membership verification? Is it fair for incumbents to skip district endorsements and go straight to the primary when facing grassroots challenges? Koppelman advocates for strengthening party membership requirements, suggesting that only verified Republicans should vote in Republican primaries—similar to how presidential caucuses operate. He emphasizes the importance of citizen involvement at the district level, where voters can hold legislators accountable face-to-face rather than leaving decisions to mass advertising campaigns. From constitutional gifting clause violations to leadership control tactics, this wide-ranging discussion exposes the machinery of state politics that most citizens never see. Whether you're frustrated with establishment politics or simply want to understand how your state government really works, this conversation provides essential insights into the future of North Dakota's political landscape. #northdakotapolitics #GrassrootsActivism #RepublicanParty #PoliticalReform #LocalPolitics
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Perry Schmacher and State Rep Ben Koppelman discuss battles within the NDGOP
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