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Brandon Prichard

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Brandon Prichard
Member of the North Dakota House of Representatives
from the 8th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 1, 2022
Personal details
Born (2001-05-29) May 29, 2001 (age 23)
Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Kathryn Schnaible
​
​
(m. 2023)​
Residence(s)Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Minnesota
WebsiteOfficial website

Brandon Prichard (born May 29, 2001) is an American politician and member of the North Dakota House of Representatives for the Republican Party representing District 8 which encompasses parts of Bismarck and Linton. He assumed office in 2023. Prichard is among the youngest state legislators in the United States.

Noted for his far-right views, Prichard has been described as a key member of "a new generation of MAGA-aligned activists" in North Dakota politics, contrasted with traditionally conservative state Republicans. His election was therefore seen as a bellwether for the future of the North Dakota Republican Party.[1]

Early life and education

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Prichard was born May 29, 2001, in Bismarck, North Dakota. He is a fifth generation North Dakotan. In 2019, Prichard graduated from St. Mary's Central High School, where he won three state championships in speech and debate.[citation needed] He was also selected as a delegate to the United States Senate Youth Program in 2018.[citation needed]

Prichard graduated from the University of Minnesota, where he claims to have "quadruple majored" in history, philosophy, political science and religious studies, along with minors in Islamic studies and Asian/Middle Eastern studies.[2] He also claimed to have continued his education at the University of Minnesota Law School and School of Public Policy "on a part-time and virtual basis,"[3] which a spokesperson for the school confirmed was not possible.[2] After his academic background began raising questions in the local media,[2] Prichard attempted to negotiate with a journalist from The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead to provide evidence of his educational attainment in exchange for modifications to a different story about him.[4]

In October 2023, Prichard mentioned being a law student while making an argument on the House floor, prompting the University of Minnesota Law School to confirm via social media that he was not enrolled at the school. Prichard responded by accusing the school of having an "anti-Christian" bias and suggesting that he might sue for unspecified reasons.[5][6]

Politics

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Elections

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On February 15, 2022, Prichard announced his candidacy in the 2022 election to represent the 8th district in the North Dakota House of Representatives, defining himself as "unequivocally pro-life, pro-liberty, and pro-gun rights."[7] He also emphasized a "return to pre-Covid normalcy," vowing to "protect individual choice" for decisions like masking and vaccines.[7] Prichard was elected to the seat – which encompasses parts of Bismarck and Linton – later that year.[8]

On December 21, 2023, Prichard announced his intention to run for reelection.[9] He lost renomination in June 2024 by less than a percent, to his 2022 opponents SuAnn Olson and Mike Berg.[10]

Tenure

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In August 2022, Prichard was revealed to be a member of a Telegram group called the North Dakota Young Republicans which "frequently featured bigoted slurs and white supremacist tropes" in its messages between members, including personal attacks against gay public figures and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.[11]

Prichard has sponsored numerous bills targeting LGBTQ people as part of the larger 2020s anti-LGBTQ movement.[12] In January 2023, Prichard co-sponsored House Bill 1254, which sought to ban all forms of gender-affirming care for transgender minors and impose felony charges on doctors who perform transition-related surgeries.[13][14] HB1254 passed the legislature and was signed into law by Governor Doug Burgum in April,[14][15] drawing immediate condemnation from the Human Rights Campaign.[16] This law caused North Dakota transgender youth to travel to Minnesota to receive healthcare; a group of families filed a lawsuit against HB1254 in September.[17]

Other anti-LGBT bills sponsored by Prichard during his tenure include House Bill 1333, which classified drag shows as "adult-oriented businesses" and restricted their performances;[18] it was similarly signed into law by Governor Burgum in April 2023.[19] Bills sponsored by Prichard that did not pass include House Bill 1301, which aimed to impose civil penalties on doctors who perform transition surgeries on minors,[20] and House Bill 1332, which sought to legalize conversion therapy.[12]

In October 2023, over the course of several days, Prichard made a series of social media posts advocating for Christian nationalism,[21] specifically calling for enshrining Christian beliefs into state and federal constitutions.[22][23] He argued that "every conservative state should put into code that Jesus Christ is King and dedicate their state to Him" and that "Real conservatives will never put the constitution above natural law".[22] Prichard's tirade also included anti-LGBT rhetoric, writing in another post that "All schools should have LGBTQ history taught and lesson one should be Sodom and Gomorrah."[24]

Prichard received swift backlash for his comments. Former Republican U.S. Representative Joe Walsh responded by saying "Not in this country. Never. Our Constitution won’t allow it. And that’s a damn good thing. Shame on you."[22] Additionally, Freedom from Religion Foundation (FRRF) Action Fund president Annie Laurie Gaylor said in an open letter to Prichard: "As a state representative, your duty is to support the state and federal constitutions and to protect the rights of conscience of your constituents, not to promote your personal religious views, much less a Christian theocracy. Your oath of office has charged you with great responsibility over citizens, including those citizens who may not or do not share your personal religious viewpoints. You have shown that you are unfit for this responsibility." Prichard responded by posting "I will not listen to a godless out-of-state interest group like FFRF."[25]

In December 2023, in a since-deleted Tweet, Prichard criticized the newly-redesigned flag of Minnesota, remarking that the state allowed "baby-murder, gender mutilation of kids, and refugee camps in downtowns."[26] In another Tweet the following month, he said “The LGBTQ agenda is evil and bad for North Dakota” and asked, “What even is a queer?”[27]

In February 2024, Prichard was accused of diverting over $120,000 in political donations to the Citizen' s Alliance Political Action Committee, of which he served as the executive director of the North Dakota chapter, as well as to himself.[28] On May 5, 2024, a complaint was filed with the Federal Election Commission by a Bismarck resident accusing Prichard of violating federal campaign laws through his involvement with two super PACs, YR Victory Fund and Citizen’s Alliance of North Dakota, both founded in 2023.[29][30]

Prichard routinely shares, likes, and interacts with online content shared by far-right and white nationalist figures such as Vince Dao, Lauren Witzke, Kyle Clifton, and John Doyle.[31] He is also characterized by his frequent attacks on LGBT people on social media.[22][24][27][31]

Electoral History

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Republican primary
North Dakota's 8th House of Representatives District Republican primary election, 2022
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican SuAnn Olson 1,488 30.45%
Republican Brandon Prichard 1,369 28.02%
Republican Mike Berg 1,116 22.84%
Republican Scott McCarthy 913 18.69%
Total votes 4,886 100.00%
General election
North Dakota's 8th House of Representatives District general election, 2022
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Brandon Prichard 4,910 50.64%
Republican SuAnn Olson 4,786 49.36%
Total votes 9,696 100.00%
Republican hold
Republican hold
Republican primary
North Dakota's 8th House of Representatives District Republican primary election, 2024
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Berg 1,671 28.04%
Republican SuAnn Olson 1,620 22.97%
Republican Brandon Prichard 1,586 18.72%
Republican Ken Rensch 1,069 17.94%
Write-in 14 0.23%
Total votes 5,960 100.00%


Personal life

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On May 20, 2023, Prichard married Kathryn 'Katie' Schnaible, in Bismarck, North Dakota.[32][better source needed]

References

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  1. ^ Port, Rob (May 15, 2024). "Port: Republican lawmakers slam colleague over 'misleading' and 'unethical' political ads". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024. (subscription required)
  2. ^ a b c Port, Rob (April 20, 2022). "Port: How can a legislative candidate serve central North Dakota and attend law school in Minnesota?". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  3. ^ Dura, Jack (February 15, 2022). "College student makes Bismarck-area House bid". The Bismarck Tribune. Archived from the original on August 20, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  4. ^ Port, Rob (January 24, 2023). "Port: State Rep. Brandon Prichard still refuses to provide specifics about his academic claims". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  5. ^ Patrice, Joe (October 19, 2023). "Lawmaker Cites 'Anti-Christian' Bias After Law School Points Out He Never Enrolled". Above the Law. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  6. ^ Port, Rob (October 9, 2023). "Port: Lawmaker accuses law school of anti-Christian bias after they confirm he's not an enrolled student". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Brandon Prichard Running for District 8 House Seat". The Dakotan. February 15, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  8. ^ "Prichard receives unanimous endorsement for reelection". KXNet. January 14, 2024. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  9. ^ Fulton, Jacob (December 21, 2023). "District 8 incumbents launch reelection bids". The Bismarck Tribune. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2024. (subscription required)
  10. ^ "North Dakota Secretary of State". results.sos.nd.gov. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  11. ^ Port, Rob (August 19, 2022). "Republican message group posted slurs while candidates, activists, and elected officials looked on". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Seidler, Faye (July 27, 2023). "Those Pushing Transgender Bills in North Dakota". High Plains Reader. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  13. ^ Dura, Jack; Turley, Jeremy (January 18, 2023). "North Dakota bills take aim at gender issues; LGBTQ advocates voice opposition". The Bismarck Tribune. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2024. (subscription required)
  14. ^ a b "North Dakota governor signs law criminalizing trans health care for minors". PBS. April 20, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  15. ^ Porter, Joel; Brown, Kyara (April 20, 2023). "Governor Burgum signs transgender medical ban bill". KXNet. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  16. ^ Peele, Cullen (April 20, 2023). "Human Rights Campaign Condemns North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum for Endangering Transgender Youth in North Dakota, Signing Gender Affirming Care Ban into Law". Human Rights Campaign. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  17. ^ Kraft, Bella (September 14, 2023). "North Dakota families file lawsuit against trans healthcare law". KFYR. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  18. ^ Ring, Trudy (January 27, 2023). "North Dakota Advances Bill Terming Drag Shows 'Adult' Entertainment". The Advocate. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  19. ^ "ND HB1333 | 2023-2024 | 68th Legislative Assembly". LegiScan. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  20. ^ Arnold, Joshua (February 20, 2023). "North Dakota House Passes Bill Blocking Gender Transition Procedures for Minors, Votes Down Another". The Washington Stand. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  21. ^ Mantyla, Kyle (October 11, 2023). "Brandon Prichard Insists He's Not a Christian Nationalist". Right Wing Watch. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  22. ^ a b c d Badash, David (October 2, 2023). "ND Republican unleashes Christian nationalist rant calling for 'Christ is King' laws". AlterNet. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  23. ^ Port, Rob (October 2, 2023). "Port: North Dakota lawmaker goes on a vile homophobic tirade over the weekend". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2024. (subscription required)
  24. ^ a b Bollinger, Alex (October 2, 2023). "GOP lawmaker celebrates LGBTQ+ History Month with demand that schools teach "Sodom & Gomorrah"". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  25. ^ Fulton, Jacob (October 3, 2023). "Freedom from Religion Foundation calls for Bismarck lawmaker to apologize or resign". Bismarck Tribune.
  26. ^ @RealPrichard (December 16, 2023). "Minimalism has destroyed the Minnesota state flag. This is extremely disappointing, but it is what we should have expected out of a state that allows baby-murder, gender mutilation of kids, and refugee camps in downtowns" (Tweet). Archived from the original on December 17, 2023 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ a b Steurer, Mary (April 29, 2024). "Judge rules lawmakers can be called to testify in gender-affirming care case". North Dakota Monitor. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  28. ^ Port, Rob (February 1, 2024). "Port: Lawmaker took thousands from colleagues for young Republican outreach, then used it for something else". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024. (subscription required)
  29. ^ Gilmar, Paige (May 30, 2024). "FEC complaint filed against District 8 representative Brandon Prichard". KXNet. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  30. ^ Steurer, Mary (May 31, 2024). "Complaint against Bismarck lawmaker questions campaign ads, donations". North Dakota Monitor. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  31. ^ a b "North Dakota Lawmakers Share Far-Right, White Nationalist Content On X". anarchistfederation.net. January 22, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  32. ^ https://www.theknot.com/us/katie-schnaible-and-brandon-prichard-may-2023
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