Republican Primary PSC Candidate Endorses Vern Thompson for Agriculture Commissioner

For Immediate Release:

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

FARGO, N.D. - Today on AM 1100 The Flag, Chris Olson (R), ND Public Service Commission candidate who earned 45.6% of the vote in the June 2026 Republican primary, endorsed Vern Thompson (Dem-NPL) for Agriculture Commissioner.

“Vern Thompson, as a man, you have my support” - Chris Olson

“The incumbent that you are running against, is apparently a member of my party… I didn’t see him at any of our town halls. I saw you [Vern] at nearly all of them.” - Chris Olson

Chris Olson works in the power industry and farms in Oliver County. When it comes to data centers, industrial development, and our elected officials in Bismarck, Olson says, “There hasn’t been proper notification and education of the public. And that has got to change.”

Olson further explained that fertilizer and other input costs have skyrocketed since the wars in Ukraine and Iran. This is hurting young family farmers just starting out.

“There are a lot of families out here in agriculture that are in survival mode… and it’s been that way for 6 years straight.” - Chris Olson

North Dakotans from all political spectrums are coming together. Someone needs to advocate for family farmers and ranchers. Unchecked conversion of farmland to industrial development is happening during the worst farm crisis in 40 years. Citizens are asking for corporate accountability: Community Benefit Agreements, bonding for reclamation and decommissioning, and a ban on non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) between public officials and developers. “These aren’t Red team or Blue team issues: these are North Dakota issues” - Vern Thompson

Vern Thompson will represent the people, not the corporations.

Thank you for the support, Chris!

Republican Primary Public Service Commission Candidate, Chris Olson