Feature photo: L to R; Phil Mueller, Madeline Luke, Rick and Cindy Ross
VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The following is a news release from Madeline Luke.
Madeline Luke, longtime Valley City resident, has announced that she has filed the necessary papers with the Secretary of State to run as an Independent for one of District 24’s two seats in the ND House of Representatives.
In launching her campaign, Luke stressed that she decided to run as an independent because she wants to help reduce the level of divisiveness that characterizes much current political discourse.
“I love the country I was fortunate to grow up in and the community where we raised our family. I am saddened by the animosity that seems to be in so many places,” Luke said, “So I hoped being an independent voice would be a way to get people talking to each other again about common problems.”
For the past almost 40 years, Luke has served the greater Barnes County region as a physician. She served 4 years on the Valley City Commission. Among other activities, she helped start the Sheyenne Valley Soccer League, Hi Line Prairie Gardens and is a strong supporter of the Barnes County Historical Society and Public Library.
Dr. Luke said she has had support from both Republican-leaning and Democrat-leaning citizens because she is in line with some of the values held by each party. Known for her nonpartisan approach while on the City Commission, she said she earned a reputation as someone who asked a lot of questions, especially regarding budgetary matters. “We all work too hard to have our tax money wasted,” she explained. “I do, however, believe that money spent to support public schools, mental health, clean food, land and water, decent working conditions and fair wages are investments worth making.”
While on the City Commission she was an advocate of government transparency and communication. Above all, Luke said she is driven by a desire to help make government honest, transparent and worthy of everyone’s trust. And she feels the pathway for doing that is to serve as an Independent legislator. “After all, we are all in this together”, she said.