North Dakota's House Minority Leader says Democrats believe they will pick up Legislative seats this fall.
"The demographics are changing in both Fargo and Grand Forks," said Rep. Kenton Onstad (D-Parshall). "We've seen an enthusiasm. We've filled almost every ballot. Sometime you struggle -- but this time, we had people knocking on our door."
Onstad says the current state budget situation is on the minds of a lot of voters. And he says Democrats will be running on that issue.
"The concern is, if we don't get our budget on track and get it straightened out, the property tax is going to go up," Onstad said. "That's always been the number one concern of North Dakotans."
The chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party says the GOP has a strong slate of Legislative candidates. And State Sen. Kelly Armstrong (R-Dickinson) says the party expects to do very well in those races this fall. Armstrong also downplays the role changing demographics could have on the elections.
"I think conventional wisdom, whether at the national level or the state level, has been wrong on politics this election season," Armstrong said. "At the end of the day, we've got great candidates."
Armstrong says the way you win elections is getting out and meeting people.
"That's a lot of grass-roots, retail politics," Armstrong said. "Knocking on doors, calling on people, going to events. You have to earn the trust of the voters. And I think we'll be good across the state."
