A newcomer to North Dakota politics, Helene Neville, has filed to run as an independent for the state’s sole U.S. House seat. Neville, who finished third when seeking the endorsement of the Democratic-NPL Party, announced her intention to run without party affiliation.
Neville, a Philadelphia native, told the North Dakota Monitor that she is "just running to serve." She has never sought elected office before, though she observed her mother's local political campaigns in Pennsylvania when she was younger. This experience, Neville said, highlighted the importance of public service for her.
Now residing in Jamestown, Neville previously lived in Bismarck in 2020. During her time in Bismarck, she worked at a local hospital before experiencing a medical emergency during a shift. She was subsequently diagnosed with Stage IV non-Hodgkin lymphoma and marked five years of remission this past May. Neville is also known for her previous career as a travel nurse and public health consultant, roles which took her to eight states. She garnered national attention for spending years running solo across every state in the country, along with parts of Mexico, Canada, and Puerto Rico. This extensive journey, covering nearly 17,000 miles on foot, was undertaken to promote healthy living. Neville stated that she has wanted to run for office her entire adult life, and her cross-country runs were intended to provide her with a comprehensive understanding of the nation's people, their experiences, and their desires. She is also the author of multiple books.
Addressing key issues, Neville points to the ongoing affordability crisis, stating that rising costs make it difficult for families to manage their budgets. She believes Congress could have addressed these price increases but that its members have grown complacent. To combat what she perceives as corruption, Neville advocates for term limits for members of Congress and supports prohibiting stock trading by federal government officials.
On trade, Neville contends that President Donald Trump has misrepresented who bears the cost of import tariffs. She stated that the cost "was pushed back to us," adding that North Dakotans "are paying for Trump’s mistake and corporations’ greed." Neville further suggested that Canada might never return to normal trade relations with the U.S. due to how the country is currently being treated.
Healthcare affordability is another focus for Neville. She proposes that breaking up health insurance and pharmaceutical monopolies would lead to lower costs for consumers. She also voiced strong opposition to any cuts to earned benefit programs, specifically mentioning Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Neville stated that "we’re not spending enough on these people."
Regarding artificial intelligence, Neville believes that AI companies should be held accountable for the products they create. She said that criminal charges and civil cases should be considered if their products violate laws or cause damages. Neville also expressed concern about the secrecy surrounding AI companies and the data centers that supply them with data. She called for greater transparency, stating that such advanced operations require a clear public plan. Given the global use of AI products, Neville also advocates for an international agreement to govern them.
Finally, Neville articulated a stance on election integrity, stating that federal elected officials should "stay the hell out" of individual state elections. She suggested that current federal involvement relies on "fear tactics," as states already have necessary electoral systems in place.
Helene Neville joins a field of candidates vying for North Dakota’s U.S. House seat, including Republican incumbent Julie Fedorchak, Democratic-NPL candidate Trygve Hammer, and fellow independent Charles Tuttle.
