District 31, ND – [10/10/2025] – Former legislator Jim Schmidt, a fourth-generation ag land owner, conservationist, and community leader, announced today that he will seek election to the North Dakota House of Representatives for District 31 in the 2026 election.
Schmidt previously served District 31 in the North Dakota House from 2011 to 2022, earning a reputation as a hard-working conservative and a strong voice for agriculture, water infrastructure, and fiscal responsibility. A Morton County farmer, Schmidt says his decision to run again stems from his ongoing commitment to protecting North Dakota’s way of life, local control and responsible spending.
“Our district deserves experienced leadership grounded in hard work, straight talk and common sense,” Schmidt said. “I’ve spent my life working with the land, helping ag producers, and making sure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. North Dakota is strongest when we invest in our communities, not when we regulate them from afar.”
A Record of Results
During his previous service in the legislature, Schmidt earned a reputation for turning priorities into results. Schmidt served on House Appropriations and as Conference Committee Chairman for the State Water Commission budget. He secured funding for major infrastructure projects, including $18 million for Mandan’s new water intake and $21 million for the Mandan-Heart River flood control dike and additional funding for Southwest Water, while expanding support for Missouri West Rural Water Systems.
His leadership also brought support for rangeland conservation, drought assistance, and programs strengthening the livestock and beef industries, including legislation requiring the labeling of lab-grown beef and grants for rural water development.
“When it comes to water issues, legislators turn to Jim Schmidt,” said Senator Don Schaible. “He knows water, and he knows how to get things done.”
Experience that Matters
Schmidt’s deep agricultural roots and technical experience in natural resource management have long informed his pragmatic approach to governance. He has served:
- 16 years as a director on the Morton County Water Resource Board and Missouri West Rural Water System.
- Vice-chairman of the House Appropriations Education and Environment Division.
- Chairman of multiple Water Topics Overview Committees across legislative interims spanning 8 years.
His leadership has earned statewide recognition, including:
- North Dakota League of Cities Legislator of the Year (2019) for his work advancing rural water systems.
- National Water Resources Association “Water Statesman Award” (2022).
- Missouri River Joint Water Board “Riverman Award” (2022).
- Governor’s designation as “Commodore in the North Dakota Mythical Navy” (2022)
- Clark Cronquist Waterline Award for leadership in rural water development (2023)
Priorities for the Next Session
If elected, Schmidt says his priorities will include:
- Protect property rights.
- Effectively utilize our water resources for our states people, economy, agriculture and recreation.
- Strengthen ethics and transparency so legislators never personally gain from office.
- Support agriculture and energy industries as key drivers of North Dakota’s economy.
- Preserve local control over land use, education, and individual rights and freedoms.
“In the legislative process, there’s no substitute for life experience,” Schmidt said. “I understand the challenges of agriculture, business, and sustaining rural North Dakota’s way of life. That perspective matters in Bismarck. Throughout my career I have lived and worked in many states and I’ve seen what works, and what doesn’t”.
About Jim Schmidt
Jim Schmidt lives in Huff, North Dakota, where he and his family operate a farm/ranch that has been in their family for over a century. Schmidt is known as a trusted, proven conservative who values relationships, results, and accountability, an approach that’s earned him the respect of colleagues and community leaders across North Dakota.