Brandon Prichard

Brandon Prichard (born May 29, 2001) is an American politician and member of the North Dakota House of Representatives for the Republican Party representing District 8 which encompasses parts of Bismarck and Linton. He assumed office in 2023.[1][2] Prichard is among the youngest state legislators in the United States.

Brandon Prichard
Member of the North Dakota House of Representatives
from the 8 district
Assumed office
December 1, 2022
Personal details
Born
Brandon Prichard

(2001-05-29) May 29, 2001
Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Kathryn Schnaible
​
​
(m. 2023)​
Residence(s)Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.
EducationSt. Mary's Central High School
Alma materUniversity of Minnesota
WebsiteOfficial website

Early life and education

Prichard was born May 29, 2001, in Bismarck, North Dakota. He is a fifth generation North Dakotan. In 2019, Prichard graduated from St. Mary's Central High School where he won three state championships in speech and debate. He was also selected as a delegate to the United States Senate Youth Program in 2018. Prichard studied history, philosophy, political science and religious studies at the University of Minnesota graduating in 2023. In 2022, he was a finalist for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship. He has falsely claimed to attend the University of Minnesota Law School and School of Public Policy.[3] The portrayal of his academic background has been repeatedly called into question. He has claimed that he "studied law" at the University of Minnesota, but the law school stated he "is not enrolled in the JD program at the University of Minnesota Law School." [4] Prichard claimed to be a law student during one of his last speeches in the North Dakota Legislative Assembly. [5]

Politics

Prichard was elected in 2022 to serve District 8, which encompasses parts of Bismarck and Linton.[6]

In 2023, Prichard introduced HB1301 and HB1254 with Rep. Bill Tveit which sought to ban gender transition surgeries and medications for minors. HB1254 passed while HB1301 failed. Gender transition surgery is now a Class B Felony in North Dakota.

In October 2023, Prichard posted a series of social media posts calling for enshrining Christian beliefs into state and federal constitutions. Freedom from Religion Foundation Action Fund President Annie Laurie Gaylor said in an open letter to Prichard that "As a state representative, your duty is to support the state and federal constitutions and to protect the rights of conscience of your constituents, not to promote your personal religious views, much less a Christian theocracy. Your oath of office has charged you with great responsibility over citizens, including those citizens who may not or do not share your personal religious viewpoints. You have shown that you are unfit for this responsibility." Prichard responded by posting "I will not listen to a godless out-of-state interest group like FFRF." [7]

Personal life

On May 20, 2023, Prichard married Kathryn 'Katie' Schnaible, in Bismarck, North Dakota.[8][9]

References
  1. "Brandon Prichard | North Dakota Legislative Branch". www.ndlegis.gov. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  2. "Brandon Prichard". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  3. "Home". Brandon Prichard ND. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  4. Port, Rob. "Minnesota law school disputes North Dakota lawmaker's claims about enrollment". InForum.
  5. "Brandon Prichard". North Dakota Legislative Branch.
  6. Port, Rob (2022-04-20). "Port: How can a legislative candidate serve central North Dakota and attend law school in Minnesota?". InForum. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  7. Fulton, Jacob (October 3, 2023). "Freedom from Religion Foundation calls for Bismarck lawmaker to apologize or resign". Bismarck Tribune.
  8. "RegistryFinder.com". registryfinder.com. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  9. https://www.theknot.com/us/katie-schnaible-and-brandon-prichard-may-2023
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