Austen Schauer

North Dakota state House of Representatives candidate

Party: Republican

District #13

Rep. Austen Schauer was first elected to the North Dakota House in 2018 representing District 13 in West Fargo. He is now seeking his second four-year term. Rep. Schauer is a member of the Industry, Business and Labor Committee, Government and Veterans Affairs Committee, Interim Retirement Committee, and the North Dakota Redistricting Committee. He is currently running for Caucus Chair. Austen’s legislative passion is working for the needs of abused children, crime victims and veterans. He also is adamant on healthy communication within State Government. Austen is a retired news anchor, reporter, and producer. He spent 36 years in the TV news business, mostly in Fargo working for WDAY-TV and KVRR-TV. Austen is also a fundraiser but looks forward to retiring from that role. With a team approach, Austen has helped raise nearly $20 million for Calvary Church in Moorhead, Park Christian School, Feed My Hungry Children and the Fisher House at the Fargo VA. In 2017, Austen helped a start-up recruiting business called ProSource. He remains there as the business development manager. Austen graduated from UND in Communications. He has been married to Angie for 44 years and together they produced three children who returned the favor and produced nine children with a 10th on the way!

Website: Representative Austen Schauer - ND Legislative Branch

Facebook:

Email: schauerausten@gmail.com

Q&A with AUSTEN:

  • To serve people.

  • Life experience.

  • Reducing property taxes. There are two bills being proposed that will help lower taxes (income and property).

  • 1. Tax Reform. 2. Work Force Shortage. 3. Legacy Fund Investments.

  • There is no easy fix. It has to be a coordinated effort between the private sector (led by the Chamber), Higher Education/Tech Schools and State Government policy/programs. Fortunately many smart people are working on this problem!

  • I think the LIFT program has been outstanding and has helped a number of start-up businesses. The State's financial backing of Emerging Prairie/Grand Farm has been extremely successful as well as the State's backing of the UAS/Drone Industry which is really taking off. (No pun intended). The State has also put a significant amount of money into CTE scholarships keeping ND students interested in the trades here in ND! We need to better address housing needs but overall, we are winning and will remain on the offense!