Vern Thompson has spent his life working — farming, hauling freight, serving in the state legislature, and calling fouls as a basketball referee. He's a working man from Minnewaukan who built an independent trucking business in Fargo from the ground up. He knows how to make a payroll. And after years on the court, he knows a foul when he sees one.

Farmers are paying more, earning less, and losing ground — literally. Costs have exploded, land is being bought up by out-of-state corporations, and working people are being left behind. With agriculture driving $41.3 billion in economic activity and more than 123,000 jobs across the state, North Dakota can't afford to look the other way.

Vern served in the North Dakota House and Senate from 1989 to 2000 and has never forgotten where he came from. He's running for Agriculture Commissioner to blow the whistle on a system that's been rigged against rural families long enough — and to make sure the people of North Dakota always come before the powerful.