Member appointed to 2nd term on Ethics Commission, field narrowed for vacancy

Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan, center, D-Fargo, speaks next to Gov. Kelly Armstrong, left, and Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, R-Minot, during a meeting of the Ethics Commission Selection Committee on May 14, 2026. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

By:Michael Achterling

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – North Dakota leaders on Thursday appointed Mark Western to serve a full, four-year term on the North Dakota Ethics Commission and narrowed a list of candidates for another open seat.

Western was appointed to the commission in November to fill the remaining term of Commissioner Dave Anderson, who died last May.

Appointments to the Ethics Commission require unanimous consent from Gov. Kelly Armstrong, Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, R-Minot, and Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan, D-Fargo, who serve as the selection committee.

Members voted unanimously to appoint Western to a full term. He is a Fargo attorney and professional mediator.

The other Ethics Commission vacancy is due to the resignation of Commission Chair Cynthia Lindquist who announced in March that she would be moving to Colorado for a new job as of June 1. Linquist’s replacement will fill her term until it expires in August 2027.

Eighteen people, including Western, applied for the two open positions.

Committee members narrowed the list to six candidates who will be sent written questions. They are:

• Kelly Leben, Burleigh County sheriff who plans to retire at the end of the year.
• Keli Berglund, mayor of Lincoln.
• Lisa Edison-Smith of West Fargo, attorney with Vogel Law Firm.
• Jessica Keller, doctor of optometry and owner of Elite Eye Care in Bismarck.
• Garrett Bryan of Bismarck, attorney for the North Dakota Insurance and Securities Department.
• Constance Todd of Bismarck, former decision review specialist for Workforce Safety and Insurance and compliance investigator for the North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights.

Candidates will have until May 22 to submit their responses. The committee plans to use the responses to select finalists to interview.

Commissioners’ duties include adopting ethics rules, investigating alleged violations and issuing advisory opinions to help public officials navigate ethical issues. They are paid a stipend for every day they meet, plus reimbursement for travel.