Kylie Oversen

Kylie Oversen (born February 3, 1989) is an American politician in the Democratic-NPL. She served as a member of the North Dakota House of Representatives, representing the 42nd district from January 2013 to December 2016. The 42nd district is located in the northern portion of Grand Forks and includes the University of North Dakota.[1]

Kylie Oversen
Chair of the North Dakota Democratic Party
In office
April 13, 2019 – May 8, 2021
Preceded byWarren Larson
Succeeded byPatrick Hart
In office
March 7, 2015 – June 24, 2018
Preceded byBob Valeu
Succeeded byWarren Larson
Member of the North Dakota House of Representatives
from the 42nd district
In office
January 8, 2013 – December 5, 2016
Preceded byStacey Dahl
Succeeded byJake Blum
Personal details
Born (1989-02-03) February 3, 1989
Killdeer, North Dakota, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of North Dakota (BSW, JD)
WebsiteOfficial website

In March 2015, Oversen became the youngest state party chair in the United States when she was elected Chair of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL.[2]

Early life and education

Oversen was born and raised in Killdeer, North Dakota, a city of less than 1,000.[3][4] Her paternal grandfather, Don Oversen, was a World War II veteran who died in April 2014.[5]

She attended the University of North Dakota, where she was elected Student Body President. In that capacity, she was noted for her extensive work improving the university's student fee allocation process.[3] She was also active in the Christus Rex Lutheran Campus Ministry, calling it her "second home and family."[6] In 2012, she graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Social Work and a Bachelor of Social Science.[3][7]

Following graduation, she began working with the University of North Dakota Alumni Association as a special projects coordinator for the Gorecki Alumni Center.[6] She also interned with PLUS Program, serving families in Grand Forks County.[6] She continued her work at the Christus Rex Lutheran Campus Ministry at UND, and was also a counselor at the American Legion Auxiliary Girls' State Program.[6]

Political career

North Dakota House of Representatives

Oversen was not considering a career in politics until her senator sent her a Facebook message asking her to run for state representative. She told a magazine, "I had to read it several times." In 2012, she ran in her home 42nd district, and raised $7,275 for her campaign.[8]

In 2012, with 28.7% of the vote,[8] Oversen was elected Democratic-NPL member of the North Dakota House of Representatives, representing the 42nd district since January 2013. The 42nd district is located in the northern portion of Grand Forks and includes the University of North Dakota.[1]

During the 2013 session, Oversen served on the Human Services and Transportation committees.[3] She subsequently served on the Human Services and Political Subdivisions committees.[7]

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party

In March 2015, she was elected the Chair of the North Dakota Democratic-Nonpartisan League Party, the state's branch of the national Democratic Party, at age 26, making her the youngest state party chair in the United States.[2][6] In June 2018, she stepped down from that position to run for North Dakota Tax Commissioner in the November 2018 election.[9] In April 2019, she successfully returned to the Chair position.[10]

Other work

Oversen is a member of Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals and serves on the board of directors for the Red River Valley Habitat for Humanity as well as for the Area Health Education Centers, which are affiliated with the University of North Dakota Center for Rural Health.[6]

Views

Cost of higher education

Oversen has been a public advocate for lowering college and university tuition and fees at public institutions. She introduced a bill in the ND House of Representatives to freeze tuition at all of North Dakota's public institutions of higher education, but it was defeated in February 2015.[11]

Same-sex marriage

Oversen supports same-sex marriage.[12]

Electoral history

North Dakota House of Representatives Elections, 2016 [13]
Party Candidates % Votes
  Republican Jake Blum 27.2 2,029
  Republican Emily O'Brien 26.1 1,948
  Democratic-NPL Kylie Oversen 24.2 1,808
  Democratic-NPL Grant Hauschild 22.4 1,673
Total votes 7,466

North Dakota House of Representatives Elections, 2012
Party Candidates % Votes
  Democratic-NPL Kylie Oversen 28.7 2,524
  Democratic-NPL Corey Mock 28.3 2,481
  Republican John Mitzel 21.9 1,925
  Republican Mike Peterson 21.1 1,852
Total votes 8,782

Personal life

Oversen resides in Grand Forks, North Dakota.[8]

Religion

Oversen is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.[6][14] When asked by The Lutheran, a monthly magazine and primary publication of the ELCA, "What's your calling?" she replied:

Broadly, public service. Once I got into the legislature, I found new ways I was able to express my faith in the area of social justice. I was proud to be an ELCA Lutheran in a discussion about discrimination based on sexual orientation ... to say 'some of us are called to social justice and equality as part of our faith, not against our faith.'

Awards and honors
Year Award/honor Awarded by Rationale
2014 North Dakota Woman of the Year[3] North Dakota Women's Network For her work for women and families in North Dakota during her time in the Legislature

References
  1. "District 42 Map" (PDF). North Dakota Legislative Assembly. 2011-10-12. Retrieved 2015-09-07.
  2. Reininga, Ben (2015-03-24). "She Runs The Democratic Party In A Super-Red State (& She's 26)". Refinery29. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
  3. "Rep. Kylie Oversen – Representing North Dakota District 42". www.kylieoversen.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-16. Retrieved 2016-03-15.
  4. "Kylie Oversen – Growing up in Killdeer, I have always ... | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-03-15.
  5. "Kylie Oversen – I didn't write yesterday, but my gratitude ... | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-03-15.
  6. "10 under 40: These adults are leading the church & changing the world". www.thelutheran.org. The Lutheran. Retrieved 2016-03-15.
  7. "The Voter's Self Defense System". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 2016-03-15.
  8. "Kylie Oversen – Ballotpedia". ballotpedia.org. Retrieved 2016-03-15.
  9. Hageman, John (June 24, 2018). "Oversen steps down as chairwoman of ND Democratic-NPL Party". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  10. Hageman, John (April 13, 2019). "Oversen elected chairwoman of North Dakota Dem-NPL". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  11. "Kylie Oversen – Yesterday, the House voted to defeat a ... | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-03-15.
  12. "Kylie Oversen – And then this happened. #SCOTUS #LoveWins ... | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-03-15.
  13. "District 42 Election Results". Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  14. "Kylie Oversen – A bit of an unusual post from my political ... | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-03-15.
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