North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party
|
|
---|---|
Chairperson | Kylie Oversen |
Senate leader | Joan Heckaman |
House leader | Corey Mock |
Founded | 1956 |
Headquarters | Kennedy Center 1902 East Divide Ave Bismarck, ND 58501 46°49′25″N 100°45′45″W / 46.82362°N 100.76246°WCoordinates: 46°49′25″N 100°45′45″W / 46.82362°N 100.76246°W |
Ideology |
Liberalism Progressivism Social liberalism |
National affiliation | Democratic Party |
Colors | Blue |
Seats in the Upper House |
16 / 47
|
Seats in the Lower House |
23 / 94
|
Website | |
www.demnpl.com | |
The North Dakota Democratic-Nonpartisan League Party (abbreviated Democratic-NPL, DNPL) is the North Dakota affiliate of the Democratic Party of the United States. This political organization is the outcome of a merger of two parties; the state previously had a three-party political system.
The North Dakota Democratic-Nonpartisan League Party has roots in the Progressive Era of American history. At the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, progressives - including lawyers, merchants, editors, and professors- joined both the Republican Party, which had strong control of state politics, as well as the state Democratic Party, the progressive faction of which called itself "the party of the laborer and the farmer." Although they did not alter the control of the Republican Party during this era, progressives found support in the Norwegian-settled state, especially in the east. By 1906, Progressive sympathies were growing in opposition to what most saw as complete control of state politics by the railroads of the day. The initial organization and calls for reform laid a foundation that would soon grow into a statewide socialist workers' movement that eventually spread throughout the Midwest.
The prewar decade was marked by a series of progressive successes, starting with progressive Democrat John Burke's election as governor in 1906. Republican Alexander McKenzie's conservative political machine still controlled the Senate, but the House of Representatives was filled with progressive Democrats and Republicans, who managed to introduce many anti-railroad bills despite staunch opposition by lobbyists. Progressive reforms and legislation were passed during this time, including a direct primary law, a joint resolution for a constitutional amendment for initiative and referendum power, a public library commission law, and laws to enforce prohibition. Subsequent years would see the end of Alexander McKenzie and his Republican political machine. By 1908, the first State electoral primaries solidified his retirement. That year the Republican Party, free from McKenzie's conservative influence, crafted a progressive party platform. Progressive Democratic Governor John Burke enjoyed support of progressive Republicans.