Jim Dotzenrod

This page was current at the end of the official's last term in office covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Jim Dotzenrod

Democratic Party

Prior offices:

North Dakota State Senate District 26

Years in office: 2008 - 2020

Successor: Jason Heitkamp (R)

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North Dakota State Senate

Years in office: 1978 - 1994

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 8, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

North Dakota State University

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Air National Guard

Personal

Religion

Christian: Lutheran

Profession

Farmer

Contact

Campaign Facebook

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Jim Dotzenrod (Democratic Party) was a member of the North Dakota State Senate, representing District 26. He assumed office in 2008. He left office on November 30, 2020.

Dotzenrod (Democratic Party) ran for election to the North Dakota State Senate to represent District 25. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Biography

Dotzenrod earned his B.S. in engineering from North Dakota State University. His professional experience includes working as a farmer. He served in the North Dakota Air National Guard.

Committee assignments

2019-2020

Dotzenrod was assigned to the following committees:

• Senate Finance and Taxation Committee
• Senate Political Subdivisions Committee

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

North Dakota committee assignments, 2017
• Finance and Taxation
• Political Subdivisions

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Dotzenrod served on the following committees:

North Dakota committee assignments, 2015
• Finance and Taxation
• Political Subdivisions

2013-2014

In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Dotzenrod served on the following committees:

North Dakota committee assignments, 2013
• Finance and Taxation
• Political Subdivisions

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Dotzenrod served on these committees:

North Dakota committee assignments, 2011
• Finance and Taxation
• Political Subdivisions

2009-2010

In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Dotzenrod served on these committees:

North Dakota committee assignments, 2011
• Finance and Taxation
• Political Subdivisions

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2022

See also: North Dakota State Senate elections, 2022

General election

General election for North Dakota State Senate District 25

Incumbent Larry Luick defeated Jim Dotzenrod in the general election for North Dakota State Senate District 25 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Larry Luick (R)	63.5	3,782
		Jim Dotzenrod (D)	36.5	2,172
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	3

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,957
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for North Dakota State Senate District 25

Jim Dotzenrod advanced from the Democratic primary for North Dakota State Senate District 25 on June 14, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Dotzenrod	100.0	595

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 595
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for North Dakota State Senate District 25

Incumbent Larry Luick advanced from the Republican primary for North Dakota State Senate District 25 on June 14, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Larry Luick	99.4	1,869
		Other/Write-in votes	0.6	11

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,880
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2020

See also: North Dakota State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for North Dakota State Senate District 26

Jason Heitkamp defeated incumbent Jim Dotzenrod in the general election for North Dakota State Senate District 26 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jason Heitkamp (R)	52.7	3,683
		Jim Dotzenrod (D)	47.2	3,295
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	4

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 6,982
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for North Dakota State Senate District 26

Incumbent Jim Dotzenrod advanced from the Democratic primary for North Dakota State Senate District 26 on June 9, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Dotzenrod	100.0	1,116

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,116
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for North Dakota State Senate District 26

Jason Heitkamp advanced from the Republican primary for North Dakota State Senate District 26 on June 9, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jason Heitkamp	98.7	1,553
		Other/Write-in votes	1.3	21

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,574
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018

See also: North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner election, 2018

General election

General election for North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture

Incumbent Doug Goehring defeated Jim Dotzenrod in the general election for North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Doug Goehring (R)	67.8	213,689
		Jim Dotzenrod (D)	32.0	100,914
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	656

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 315,259 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture

Jim Dotzenrod advanced from the Democratic primary for North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture on June 12, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Dotzenrod	100.0	32,347

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 32,347
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture

Incumbent Doug Goehring advanced from the Republican primary for North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture on June 12, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Doug Goehring	100.0	63,585

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 63,585
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: North Dakota State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the North Dakota State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 14, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 11, 2016.

Incumbent Jim Dotzenrod defeated Jason Heitkamp in the North Dakota State Senate District 26 general election.

North Dakota State Senate, District 26 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Jim Dotzenrod Incumbent	51.22%	3,451
	Republican	Jason Heitkamp	48.78%	3,287
Total Votes				6,738
Source: North Dakota Secretary of State

Incumbent Jim Dotzenrod ran unopposed in the North Dakota State Senate District 26 Democratic primary.

North Dakota State Senate, District 26 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	Jim Dotzenrod Incumbent (unopposed)

Jason Heitkamp ran unopposed in the North Dakota State Senate District 26 Republican primary.

North Dakota State Senate, District 26 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	Jason Heitkamp  (unopposed)

2012

See also: North Dakota State Senate elections, 2012

Dotzenrod ran in the 2012 election for North Dakota Senate District 26. Dotzenrod was unchallenged in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.

North Dakota State Senate, District 26, General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Jim Dotzenrod Incumbent	97.8%	5,567
	Other	Write-in	2.2%	128
Total Votes				5,695

2008

See also: North Dakota State Senate elections, 2008

On November 4, 2008, Dotzenrod was elected to the 26th District Seat in the North Dakota State Senate, besting Donnell Walstead (R). Dotzenrod raised $4,850 for his campaign, while Walstead raised $3,900.

North Dakota Senate, District 26 (2008)
Candidates		Votes
Jim Dotzenrod (D)		3,490
Donnell Walstead (R)		2,645

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jim Dotzenrod did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Jim Dotzenrod did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Jim Dotzenrod campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2022	North Dakota State Senate District 25	Lost general	$23,578	$0
2020	North Dakota State Senate District 26	Lost general	$23,068	N/A**
2016	North Dakota State Senate, District 26	Won	$6,900	N/A**
2012	North Dakota State Senate, District 26	Won	$3,425	N/A**
2008	North Dakota State Senate, District 26	Won	$4,850	N/A**
Grand total			$61,822	N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in North Dakota

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states.  To contribute to the list of North Dakota scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2020

In 2020, the North Dakota State Legislature was not in session.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].
In 2019, the North Dakota Legislative Assembly was in session from January 3 through April 26. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].
In 2018, the North Dakota Legislative Assembly did not hold a regular session.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the 65th North Dakota Legislative Assembly was in session from January 3 through April 27. Greater North Dakota Chamber (via Votesmart) Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Family Policy Alliance of North Dakota Legislators are scored on bills related to family issues. North Dakota United Legislators are scored on their votes related to business issues. North Dakota Women’s Network: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to women's issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].
In 2016, the North Dakota Legislative Assembly did not hold a regular session.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].

In 2015, the 64th North Dakota Legislative Assembly was in session from January 6 through April 29. Greater North Dakota Chamber: 2015 Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to education. North Dakota Family Alliance: 2015 Scorecard Legislators are scored on bills related to family issues. North Dakota Women’s Network: Senate and House 2015 Scorecards Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to women's issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].
In 2014, the North Dakota Legislative Assembly did not hold a regular session.

2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].

In 2013, the 63rd North Dakota Legislative Assembly was in session from January 8 to May 4. Greater North Dakota Chamber: 2013 Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. North Dakota Family Alliance: 2013 Scorecard Legislators are scored on bills related to family issues. North Dakota Women’s Network: Senate and House 2013 Scorecards Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to women's issues.

2012

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show].
In 2012, the North Dakota Legislative Assembly did not hold a regular session.

2011

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show].

In 2011, the 62nd North Dakota Legislative Assembly was in regular session from January 4 through April 28. A special session was called by Governor Jack Dalrymple from November 7 through 12 to cover legislative redistricting and disaster relief. National Federation of Independent Business in North Dakota: 2011-2012 Voting Record Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues. North Dakota Family Alliance: 2011 Scorecard Legislators are scored on bills related to family issues. North Dakota Policy Council: 2011 Legislative Review Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. North Dakota Women’s Network: 2011 Legislative Summary Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to women's issues.

NDPC: North Dakota Legislative Review

See also: North Dakota Policy Council Legislative Review (2011)

The North Dakota Policy Council, a North Dakota-based nonprofit research organization which describes itself as "liberty-based", published the North Dakota Legislative Review, a comprehensive report on how state legislators voted during the 2011 legislative session. The scorecard seeks to show how North Dakota legislators voted on the principles the Council seeks to promote. The Council recorded and scored votes on both spending bills and policy bills, and awarded points accordingly. Policy issues voted upon included income tax cuts, pension reform, and government transparency. On spending legislation, the Council accorded a percentage score based on how much spending the legislator voted against. On policy legislation, scores range from the highest score (100%) to the lowest (0%). A higher score indicates that the legislator voted more in favor of the values supported by the Council. Dotzenrod received a score of 33.33% on policy legislation and voted against 2.08% of state spending. On policy, Dotzenrod was ranked 40th and on spending was ranked 40th, out of 46 Senate members evaluated for the study.

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Dotzenrod has two children and currently resides in Wyndmere, North Dakota.

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Candidate

North Dakota State Senate District 25

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by '	North Dakota State Senate District 26 2008-2020	Succeeded by Jason Heitkamp (R)

[show]

Current members of the North Dakota State Senate

Leadership

Majority Leader:David Hogue

Minority Leader:Kathy Hogan

Senators

District 1

Brad Bekkedahl (R)

District 2

Mark Enget (R)

District 3

Bob Paulson (R)

District 4

Chuck Walen (R)

District 5

Randy Burckhard (R)

District 6

Paul Thomas (R)

District 7

Michelle Axtman (R)

District 8

Jeffery Magrum (R)

District 9

Richard Marcellais (D)

District 10

Ryan Braunberger (D)

District 11

Tim Mathern (D)

District 12

Cole Conley (R)

District 13

Judy Lee (R)

District 14

Jerry Klein (R)

District 15

Kent Weston (R)

District 16

David Clemens (R)

District 17

Jonathan Sickler (R)

District 18

Scott Meyer (R)

District 19

Janne Myrdal (R)

District 20

Randy Lemm (R)

District 21

Kathy Hogan (D)

District 22

Mark Weber (R)

District 23

Todd Beard (R)

District 24

Mike Wobbema (R)

District 25

Larry Luick (R)

District 26

Dale Patten (R)

District 27

Kristin Roers (R)

District 28

Robert Erbele (R)

District 29

Terry Wanzek (R)

District 30

Diane Larson (R)

District 31

Donald Schaible (R)

District 32

Dick Dever (R)

District 33

Keith Boehm (R)

District 34

Justin Gerhardt (R)

District 35

Sean Cleary (R)

District 36

Desiree Van Oosting (R)

District 37

Dean Rummel (R)

District 38

David Hogue (R)

District 39

Greg Kessel (R)

District 40

Jose Castaneda (R)

District 41

Kyle Davison (R)

District 42

Claire Cory (R)

District 43

Jeff Barta (R)

District 44

Joshua Boschee (D)

District 45

Ronald Sorvaag (R)

District 46

Michelle Powers (R)

District 47

Mike Dwyer (R)

Republican Party (42)

Democratic Party (5)