Austen Schauer

Experience has been one of my greatest teachers. Over a 36-year career in television news—as a reporter, producer, and anchor—I had the privilege of engaging with people from all walks of life and covering a wide range of issues that shaped our communities. From reporting on historic events like the floods of 1997 and 2009 to highlighting the service of law enforcement, military members, and everyday citizens, I gained a deep understanding of the challenges and strengths of our region.

Beyond my professional career, I have served on several nonprofit boards, including the Salvation Army, Feed My Starving Children, Prevent Child Abuse North Dakota, Centre, Inc., and the Fargo-Moorhead Jail Chaplains ministry. I have also been involved in helping raise nearly $20 million for causes such as the North Dakota Fisher House, Park Christian School, Calvary Church, and Feed My Starving Children. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to service and community.

If re-elected, my top three priorities would be:

First, promoting pro-growth policies that strengthen all key sectors of North Dakota’s economy, including energy, agriculture, and small business, to ensure long-term prosperity and opportunity.

Second, maintaining fiscal responsibility by controlling state spending and working to reduce corporate tax burdens where possible, especially as we anticipate fluctuations in energy revenue. Sustainable budgeting is essential to protecting taxpayers and preserving essential services.

Third, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of mental health services so that individuals and families can access timely, high-quality care while ensuring responsible use of public resources.

Over the next five years, North Dakota will face both significant opportunities and important challenges. One of the most pressing will be responsibly managing a transition from heavy reliance on energy revenue, which currently makes up more than 50% of our state’s income. This includes ensuring the Legacy Fund is used wisely to support long-term stability—without raising taxes or making drastic budget cuts.

At the same time, we must improve efficiency and outcomes in major spending areas like education and mental health, which together account for a large share of the budget. Opportunities for growth are strong, particularly with increasing demand for power driven by data centers and emerging industries. This will require thoughtful policy that balances energy development with community impact.

Finally, addressing housing availability and creating effective incentives for workforce growth will be critical to growth in our state.

I support strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors to attract, develop, and retain talent in North Dakota. These efforts must be transparent, accountable, and guided by clear, measurable goals. People in North Dakota consistently express support for strengthening our business climate, especially for entrepreneurs and growing companies.

At the same time, we must recognize that startup investment carries risk. That’s why it’s essential to apply strong oversight and sound judgment—prioritizing initiatives with the greatest potential for long-term success, workforce development, and economic impact. Done right, these partnerships can help build a more resilient and competitive state economy by creating jobs and opportunities!

Yes, I support the use of state funding for economic development, including incentives, tax credits, and programs that help retain, attract, and expand businesses. These tools can be effective when they are used strategically to grow our economy, create good paying jobs, and strengthen local communities.

However, they must be applied with clear standards, accountability, and measurable outcomes to ensure a strong return on investment for taxpayers. I believe in prioritizing efforts that support long-term growth, workforce development, and diversification of our economy—while maintaining a fair and responsible approach to public spending. This can be done with much input from the Governor and the legislature.

I support the use of targeted housing incentives, but we must take a broader, practical approach to meeting North Dakota’s housing needs. The Legislature can help by reducing regulatory barriers, streamlining permitting, and working with local governments to encourage timely development.

We should also invest in infrastructure that supports new housing, expand workforce development in the skilled trades to address labor shortages, and promote public-private partnerships that increase supply while keeping costs attainable. Encouraging a mix of housing types—single-family, multi-family, and workforce housing—will be key to meeting demand and supporting continued economic growth across Cass County and the state.

One of the biggest challenges is finding solutions that work for both smaller and larger communities. Housing needs, resources, and growth patterns vary widely across the state. It’s important to develop policies that are flexible and regionally responsive, rather than one-size-fits-all.

At the same time, we must be mindful of concerns from smaller communities about how state dollars are distributed. A balanced approach—one that is transparent, equitable, and recognizes the unique needs of each region—will be essential to building trust and ensuring North Dakota will benefit from our housing investments.

Access to affordable, high-quality childcare is essential for both families and employers, and it is a key workforce issue in North Dakota.

If re-elected, I would support a combination of approaches to address this challenge. First, I would encourage policies that reduce regulatory barriers that make it difficult to open or expand childcare facilities, while still maintaining appropriate safety and quality standards. Second, I would support targeted incentives and partnerships that help increase the supply of childcare providers, especially in underserved and rural communities.

I would also look at ways to strengthen workforce development for childcare professionals, including training, recruitment, and retention efforts. Finally, improving coordination between state programs, employers, and local providers can help create more flexible and innovative childcare solutions that meet the needs of today’s working families.

We have addressed this challenge in previous Sessions. In 2025, we passed an income tax credit for childcare contributions provided by qualified employees (SB 2282).

Yes, I support the development of the Red River Valley Water Supply Project. Ensuring a reliable and sustainable water supply is critical to the long-term economic stability and growth of eastern North Dakota.

This project provides important water security for communities, agriculture, and industry—especially during times of drought or changing climate conditions. It also supports future growth by giving businesses and communities confidence in our infrastructure.

I believe the name of this project should better reflect its broader statewide impact. By bringing Missouri River water across the state, the project will benefit not just the Red River Valley, but many communities along the pipeline—providing the long-term water security North Dakota needs.

I also believe the project has been managed responsibly, with appropriate oversight, cost controls, and transparency. Moving forward, it is important that state leaders remain committed to seeing this project through to completion so those benefits can be fully realized.

Yes, I support the development of a natural gas pipeline to Eastern North Dakota.

Expanding natural gas infrastructure will strengthen energy reliability, support continued economic growth and provide a more affordable and stable energy source for communities, businesses, and potential industrial development in the region. It would also enhance North Dakota’s ability to attract new investment and energy-intensive industries.

As with any major infrastructure project, it is important that development is done responsibly, with careful planning, strong safety standards, and coordination with local communities to ensure long-term benefits are maximized while minimizing impacts.