How to Show Up in 2026 with Fargo, ND Mayor Josh Boschee

This week, we bring you the next episode of our Road to November 2026 series, as Debbie Cox Bultan sits down with Mayor of Fargo, ND, Josh Boschee. Having won a five-way mayoral race with 47% of the vote, Mayor Boschee shares which issues are top-of-mind for his constituents and what city leaders can do to address them- especially when it comes to costs. Debbie and Mayor Boschee also discuss how the Democratic brand has changed over time in North Dakota, and why he thinks the most important thing Democrats can do in a state like his is show up. Tune in to hear more about successfully engaging and connecting with voters in 2026. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [01:18] Introducing Mayor Josh Boschee and what to expect from today's episode.
• [02:04] Mayor Boschee shares how his first few months as mayor have been.
• [02:37] What prompted the position to go full-time.
• [03:30] He shares how the race for Fargo mayor played out.
• [04:45] Pragmatic approaches to finding solutions.
• [06:00] Navigating one of the fastest-growing cities in the upper Midwest.
• [08:40] Mayor Boschee unpacks the cost of living challenges faced by residents.
• [11:04] The first items to tackle on his docket with his newly acquired leadership and power.
• [14:17] Why black and white rules don't work for a grey world.
• [17:30] How Mayor Boschee is taking people's frustration and turning it into solutions.
• [20:00] They examine his voter base: the coalition behind his victory.
• [22:01] What showing up really looks like: through the campaign and now as mayor.
• [24:30] Mayor Boschee shares how Democrats can do better in a state like North Dakota.
• [27:35] His thoughts on why some people think they could never be (or become) a Democrat.
• [30:00] Winning back rural voters.
• [31:50] If Democrats are going to win, or be successful in my state, they need to ____?
• [33:15] How often he gets references to Fargo, the movie, when people meet him.

LEARN MORE: newdealleaders.org