Ruth Buffalo | |
|---|---|
| Member of theNorth Dakota House of Representatives from the 27th district | |
| In office December 1, 2018 – December 1, 2022 Serving with Thomas Beadle | |
| Preceded by | Randy Boehning |
| Succeeded by | Josh Christy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Si Tanka University (BS) North Dakota State University (MS,MBA,MPH) |
| Website | ruth4nd |
Ruth Anna Buffalo is anAmerican politician who served as a member of theNorth Dakota House of Representatives from the 27th District, from December 1, 2018 to December 1, 2022. She is the first Native AmericanDemocratic woman elected to the North Dakota Legislature.[1]
Buffalo was born inWatford City, North Dakota and raised inMandaree, North Dakota. She is an enrolled citizen of theMandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation.[1][2] She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice fromSi Tanka University and three master's degrees fromNorth Dakota State University: one in management, another in business administration, and one in public health.[1][3]
Buffalo's involvement in politics began when she ran forNorth Dakota Insurance Commissioner in the2016 North Dakota elections, but lost toJon Godfread. In April 2017, she became party secretary of theNorth Dakota Democratic–Nonpartisan League and in July 2017, her mayor appointed her to the Fargo Native American Commission.[1]
Buffalo replacedRandy Boehning, who was the primary sponsor of theVoter ID law that voting rights advocates warned would disenfranchise Native American voters.[1][4][5] Other important issues in this 2018 race included access to health care, education (both K-12 and higher education), property taxes, and community safety.[1][2] She endorsed theKamala Harris 2024 presidential campaign.[6]
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Tom Potter | Democratic nominee forNorth Dakota Insurance Commissioner 2016 | Most recent |