Running With Pride — Vote With Pride
By North Dokato State Senator Ryan Braunberger
Voting is one of the most important things we can do in a democracy. It is becoming more important as the prevailing winds are blowing towards a world that wants to silence certain members of our community. I am Ryan Braunberger (He/Him), the current North Dakota District 10 Senator in Fargo, ND. I am also an openly gay man. I didn’t know what I wanted out of life when I was young. Growing up in the 90s, I had to hide my struggles with my sexuality because the 90s was the don’t ask, don’t tell era. I didn’t understand what I wanted out of life until my late 30s/early 40s.
After many years of working in the corporate world and struggling with depression, I knew I needed to do something more holistic with my life. This knowledge led me to pursue a degree in social work. While pursuing my degree, I became aware of the need to change policies, and the need to be a part of that change grew. Once I had some experience on the front lines of social work, I would be ready to pursue a political career. Fortunately, that door opened sooner than I had anticipated. I agreed to run for office in the newly formed District 10 in Fargo only weeks before the filing deadline. I knew winning the election would be a long shot because I was not political. Regardless of the outcome, I went into that election knowing I would be running for office again in 2024. I was among the lucky candidates to win their race on election night, winning by 49 votes.
Many of us feel our votes don’t count, which can feel frustrating. I will tell you that your vote counts, exemplified by my close victory. You may feel your vote doesn’t count because you live in a flyover state for every national election, but local elections are far more critical than national politics. In the United States, we rely on local politicians to make decisions that affect our everyday lives. They decide what bathrooms people can use, what roads are up for repair, and the subjects taught in schools. I ran for office because I could influence these subjects.
While serving in the last legislative session, I saw how out of touch my fellow legislators were and their unwillingness to listen to the next generation. They want to make a world in their eyes rather than adapt to the wills of the next generation. They errantly believe it is to protect the next generation from the realities of the world. The next generation has a right to determine their destiny. Since they won’t listen to the next generation, the next generation must step up and have their voices heard. They must testify before committees and meet with their elected officials, but that is seldom enough. The youth of tomorrow has a powerful voice, and running for office is the best way to mold the world. It can be daunting to run for office, but it is worth it. You don’t have to run for state legislatures, but you can run for city/county commissions, school boards, and park boards, significantly impacting the environment around you.
When I ran for office, I ran on the idea that I wanted to make it a better place for everyone, the idea that I wanted the government to stay out of the doctor’s offices, and the idea that government is responsible for lifting people up. I did not run as a gay individual because I am more than that identity. When running for office, choose what you want to change, defend, and support. Don’t run because you want the glory of being in power; it isn’t that glorious. Run because you believe in making a difference. It will be challenging, time-consuming, and not very profitable. You will need to have two different jobs, your political one and your professional one. You will need to build relationships on both sides of the aisle. You must listen to people who disagree because each conversation will bring something to the table. Politics is full of compromises, but never compromise your values. I run with pride, knowing that I am making a difference. I run with pride, knowing that people see themselves in me. I run with pride, knowing that my voice is necessary. Your voice is needed, too, so I suggest running with pride.
Ryan Braunberger
About the Series
- To check if you are able to vote, visit nass.org/can-I-vote
- To register to vote or to check your voter registration, visit vote.gov
- To find the location and time of polling sites near you, visit usa.gov/how-to-vote
In 2024, across the globe, more people are going to vote than ever before. It is vital that you stay informed, and that, when the time comes you vote. The Vote With Pride series aims to motivate people, especially young queer people, to take their life into their own hands this year by casting a ballot.
