Marvin Lepp

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Marvin Lepp

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

June 14, 2022

Personal

Birthplace

Lehr, N.D.

Religion

Christian

Profession

Service advisor

Contact

Campaign website

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Marvin Lepp (Republican Party) ran for election for North Dakota Secretary of State. He lost in the Republican primary on June 14, 2022.

Lepp completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Marvin Lepp was born in Lehr, North Dakota. Lepp studied at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. His career experience includes working as a service advisor at a family-owned dealership and small business owner.

Elections

2022

See also: North Dakota Secretary of State election, 2022

General election

General election for North Dakota Secretary of State

Michael Howe defeated Jeffrey Powell and Charles Tuttle in the general election for North Dakota Secretary of State on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Michael Howe (R)	63.2	147,816
		Jeffrey Powell (D)	27.5	64,254
		Charles Tuttle (Independent)	9.2	21,517
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	241

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 233,828
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for North Dakota Secretary of State

Jeffrey Powell advanced from the Democratic primary for North Dakota Secretary of State on June 14, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jeffrey Powell	99.7	21,897
		Other/Write-in votes	0.3	57

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 21,954
= 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 Secretary of State

Michael Howe defeated Marvin Lepp in the Republican primary for North Dakota Secretary of State on June 14, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Michael Howe	67.6	44,790
		Marvin Lepp	32.1	21,280
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	163

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 66,233
= 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.

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Marvin Lepp completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Lepp's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a quiet family man, who is stepping up to serve the citizens of North Dakota to help ensure that the future of our is protected. My priorities have been and will always be:

1. My Faith 2. My Family 3. My State 4. My Country

I feel that you cannot address a problem without bringing a solution. I have always had a firm philosophy that you do not ask those working for you to do something that you are not willing to do yourself.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Ensuring that the citizens of North Dakota no longer have doubt in the election process within our state.
• Transparency and Accessibility from the Secretary of State's office and to streamline the services provided to all constituents.
• Reinvesting in North Dakota is essential in ensuring the continued success of our state.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The Secretary of States office plays such a crucial role in so many different aspects of the daily lives of North Dakotans. I have a very deep passion for ensuring that the Executive Branch does not create intrusive policies that infringe upon the rights granted to us through not only the United States Constitution, but the Constitution of North Dakota as well.

Further I will testify before any legislative committee attempting to change the Century Code in a way that would subvert or take away freedoms that are viewed as inalienable by definition.

This also includes policies that would affect how we vote, that would hinder public transparency, that would relinquish control to unelected officials, or increase the taxes that are created to pay for government spending. I am a huge proponent of limited government, and view exuberant spending for unnecessary services as a waste of taxpayer funds.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The Secretary of State is a heart of the house role. It is not flashy, but it is a pivot point through which multiple entities both government and private enterprise pass through. Even though it is and Executive Branch office, the Secretary of State must work with both the Legislative Branch and Judicial Branch to ensure that the integrity of the law is upheld.

The Secretary of State is the Chief Election Official of the State.
It is an integral part of small business growth both registration and licensing, as well as trademark registration.
The range of work is further extended to the roles that the Secretary of State plays in important role the handling of the School Land Board, the Emergency Management process, and a range of other commissions.
But also has an important role in preservation of North Dakota's history with active involvement in the State Historical Society.

This office needs to be lead with attention to detail, integrity and diligence.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I am continuously reading and learning. I dedicate a lot of time to historical events and people, as I feel if we do not learn from and acknowledge the past we are destined to repeat it.

The Apostle Paul is an amazing example to whom I would aspire to be like, even through persecution and threat of execution he still continued to preach. Generally accredited to writing fourteen books of the New Testament, seven are undisputedly attributed to him. His determination to continue to carry out his work is inspirational.

Through his life's journey he showed not only can a person change who they are but to become a beacon of hope. It's from his journey I find inspiration to follow this path because it is the right thing to do.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

As someone who has never run for a political position, I would recommend looking first to 'the Bible'. I am currently working my way through the works of Saint Paul as well as the book of Acts.

Acts 18: 9-10
9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

This verse, in particular, has been and continues to be an integral part of my journey.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The most important characteristic of any elected official is the willingness to serve all citizens of the North Dakota. Taking office, you do not represent a select few and you should not be influenced to sway your decisions, as it is your duty to represent all people.

One must be a visionary, yet mindful of the past so they can learn from previous successes and failures.

They must remain impartial to situations to help come to fair decisions.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

As the chief election official, it is essential to ensure all elections are handled properly with transparency throughout all levels of government from township to presidential elections.

To ensure that all records are maintained properly both with legislation as well as home rule cities, that one does not infringe upon the rights of another.
To ensure that the technology used by the state is both kept up to date and is secure while remaining accessible to the people of North Dakota, whether it is working with county Recorders, or getting the Secretary of State website is accessible to business owners.
To ensure that all business-related filings ranging from limited liability partnerships to real estate trusts, but also including name registration and trademarks, whether local or foreign in nature are properly maintained and attested to as well as fillings regarding trusts, liens and leases are properly handled.

Below are other core responsibilities that are essential to our state.
The Secretary of State is also a voting member as well as the secretary of the Emergency Commission.
A voting member of the Board of University and School Lands
An active member of the Board for the State Historical Society.
Is the secretary of the State Canvassing Board.

This office is essential to the daily functionality of North Dakota.

What legacy would you like to leave?

To secure the future of North Dakota and ensure that our state can be a beacon of light in today's society.
That when my children are old enough to fully understand what I am trying to accomplish they will be able to say they were proud of what I've done.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The Challenger Tragedy was the first dynamic historical event that I remember as we watched it happen live in our classroom. I was 8 years old at that time and was determined that one day I was going to be an astronaut. Even after witnessing it happen I still wanted to continue this path, even though I had witnessed what could happen. Unfortunately I surpassed the height limits while still in my teens so that dream ended to do physical limitations.
There were other events before that which I remember but this particular instance has remained with me to this day.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first "job" was working alongside my father, farming and ranching in North Dakota. It's where I learned the meaning of an honest day work, and even though it wasn't paid job it is important because even to this day it is an essential part of who I am.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

The Muppet Show "Mah Nah Mah Nah" song! It has been a long running family joke with my wife and daughters and I love how fun it is when you hear the next line coming from elsewhere in our home. It's our echo location, so no matter where we are in our home or even out in public we know where the others are.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

First the protection of the North Dakota Century Code, which I view like the Bible itself. You cannot simply acknowledge the parts that are favorable to your situation. You have to take it as a complete body of work. It is written in a way to preserve our freedoms and give guidance to the law.

To ensure that there is never doubt in the integrity of our elections.
To ensure that our state's history is preserved so future generations have access to it.
To ensure that we are stewards of the future of North Dakota.

To ensure that we are not wasting the money of the people of North Dakota through investing wisely, and by maintaining budgets that do not accumulate debt on future generations.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

The entire office and every activity conducted within are integral to the future of North Dakota and I want to provide education and transparency as to what the responsibilities of the office truly entails.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Not necessarily, a fresh perspective can bring innovation to any office, but it needs to be done correctly.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

An outside perspective, a willingness to listen both to staff and to the people of North Dakota. Organization and dedication are essential as well due to the sheer amount of detail involved with the office.

A willingness to defend the rights of the citizens of North Dakota, whether it is testifying against legislation that would hinder the liberties granted to us.
Determination to ensure that our state's future is secured fiscally.
The ability to solve problems on the fly and to look at a situation from all angles, yet to remain humble and to listen to the input of those involved to come to the correct solution the first time.

The ability to stand up for what is right and be unwavering in taking responsibility in any situation.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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