Hey, I'm Zach Raknerud. I'm a born-and-raised North Dakotan who has lived in Minot for 10 years. I live with my wife, Heather, and our two-year-old son Emmett. My family and I are extremely thankful to be building our life together in Minot. I moved to Minot in 2016, fresh out of college, with a job offer as an Executive Team Leader for Target after working my way up at the Grand Forks location during college. Minot was not the place a 23-year-old graduate was hoping for. Still, it was my first assignment and the path toward a good career. So, I packed my bags, turned onto Highway 2, and drove for a couple of hundred miles. Since that day, I've discovered a community I love and have become a part of. First, I fell in love with a woman who also fell in love with Minot. She grew up in Connecticut, followed a boy from the Air Force to Minot, moved back east when they didn't work out, and then came back to Minot after realizing how much she missed the slower pace of life. Since meeting, we have built a life that we love in Minot. We purchased our first home in a neighborhood we love, made long-lasting friendships, and endured significant challenges with amazing support. Minot is our home, and I'd be honored to serve it and promote public policy that is deeply aligned with North Dakota's values, especially in these challenging times. My name may be familiar to some, as this will be the fourth time it has appeared on District 5's ballot. Running in the Dem-NPL is a significant challenge due to headwinds from national perceptions of Democrats. In my experience, there is a double-dip of frustration because I don't blame people for not approving of Democrats nationally. I try to inform my politics from history, and the frustrating reality is that both political parties have enabled America's transition into a Second Gilded Age. The thing is, North Dakota has a blueprint for dealing with these conditions. I'm being persistent with this message because I believe it aligns with Minot's values, too. I hope to earn your support in November. Please contact me if you'd like to learn more.