Sean D. Cleary
Sean Cleary | |
|---|---|
| Member of the North Dakota Senate from the 35th district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Tracy Potter |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1991 (age 34–35) Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Amy |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Mary (BS) University of North Dakota (Master's degree in Applied Economics) |
| Profession | Education |
| Website | website |
Sean D. Cleary (born 1991) is an American economist and politician serving as a member of the North Dakota Senate from the 35th District.[1]
Early life and education
Cleary is a third-generation Bismarck resident, he attended St. Mary's Central High School, earned a BS from University of Mary in Bismarck and a Masters in Applied Economics from University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.[2]
Career
After college, Sean moved to Washington DC to serve on the staff of U.S. Senator John Hoeven. He returned to North Dakota to earn a master's degree in applied economics, later moving home to Bismarck and join the staff of Governor Doug Burgum.[3][4][5]
Cleary worked as a project manager for National Information Solutions Cooperative, a technology company focused on serving rural electric cooperatives and broadband companies,[6] as well as a Grant Writer for the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation. He is currently working at the University of Mary.[7]
Politics
Cleary won the Republican primary for the 35th North Dakota State Senate nomination and faced Democratic nominee Tracy Potter in the general election.[8][9]
Cleary served as the campaign manager for Julie Fedorchak’s successful U.S. House campaign in 2024.[10]
Cleary has consistently argued for transparency and growth of the Legacy Fund, North Dakota’s oil and gas reserve fund, saying it should be used for things like “tax relief and investment in essential services.”[11] He has supported divesting the fund from companies headquartered in China due to national security concerns[12], and he has also raised concerns about large bonuses planned to be paid out to staff out of the fund returns.[13]
He has focused on health care affordability, including successful efforts to limit insulin costs [14] and legislation supporting family caregivers.[15]
Personal life
Sean married his wife Amy in 2020. They live in Bismarck with their 2 children.[2]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sean Cleary | 3,644 | 59.9 | |
| Democratic | Tracy Potter | 2,406 | 39.5 | |
| Total votes | 6,077 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sean Cleary | 1,295 | 69.7 | |
| Republican | Ryan Eckroth | 562 | 30.3 | |
| Total votes | 1,857 | 100.00 | ||
References
- ^ "Republicans square off in Bismarck Senate primary". MSN.
- ^ a b "Sean Cleary announces candidacy for State Senate District 35 seat". November 29, 2021.
- ^ Dura, Jack. "Republican announces bid for retiring Democrat's Bismarck-area Senate seat". Bismarck Tribune.
- ^ Crane, Joel. "Republican primary heating up in Bismarck". kfyrtv.com.
- ^ Dura, Jack. "North Dakota GOP candidates enjoy high-dollar fundraising despite lack of endorsement". Bismarck Tribune.
- ^ Demme, Greg (November 29, 2021). "Sean Cleary Throws Hat in District 35 Ring". The Dakotan.
- ^ https://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/elections/article_6894da07-7c7f-4842-9e66-3be899ff6dbb.html
- ^ Crane, Joel (June 15, 2022). "Sean Cleary projected to win District 35 Senate Republican nomination". www.kfyrtv.com.
- ^ DURA, JACK (June 14, 2022). "Cleary advances in Bismarck-area state Senate race; intraparty races feature in primary". The Bismarck Tribune.
- ^ https://northdakotamonitor.com/2024/06/11/fedorchak-claims-election-interference-over-false-text-messages/
- ^ https://www.kxnet.com/news/local-news/state-lawmakers-explain-measure-3s-impact-on-legacy-fund
- ^ https://northdakotamonitor.com/briefs/north-dakota-senate-defeats-bill-that-aimed-to-divest-legacy-fund-from-china/
- ^ https://www.inforum.com/news/north-dakota/senate-approves-bill-for-north-dakota-rios-budget
- ^ https://www.kfyrtv.com/2025/03/26/north-dakota-senate-passes-bill-capping-insulin-25/
- ^ https://www.kfyrtv.com/2023/02/07/bill-aims-provide-financial-stability-people-with-disabilities-their-families-nd/
- ^ "North Dakota Secretary of State". results.sos.nd.gov.
- ^ "North Dakota State Senate - District 35 Republican Primary Results | Asbury Park Press". www.app.com.
External links
- Senator Sean Cleary North Dakota State bio
- Sean Cleary for State Senate official campaign site