Heather MacDonald For Ramsey County ND

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Heather MacDonald For Ramsey County ND Vote

10/21/2026

The scene of the crime. You could have just asked 🤷‍♀️

10/20/2026

Uffda, you folks sure know how to make a girl feel loved!

From stopping into the racetrack to tell me you voted for me to stopping me while I’m out and about, the encouragement has been humbling. Thank you for the conversations, the thoughtful questions, and the honest concerns.

It is refreshing to see so many people who care about our county and want to see growth and progress. It means just as much when you recognize my integrity, know how I was raised, and understand my commitment to doing what is right—even when it isn’t easy.

We have some strong candidates running, and that is exciting. Someone who didn’t know me very well recently asked what sets me apart.

My answer was simple: I do not back down. I call a spade a spade. When there is a problem, I want to understand it, find out what it takes to fix it, and get to work. Some solutions take time, but asking questions and taking responsibility shouldn’t have to wait.

I don’t care what someone’s last name is or how much money they have. Respect is earned through character and actions. Money will never buy my vote or convince me to support something that undermines our residents’ ability to live, work, and thrive here.

I ride the same economic roller coaster as everyone else in this county. I understand what rising costs and uncertainty mean for families and local businesses because I live it, too.
If elected, I will carry that understanding into every decision. Public service means listening, doing the homework, and putting the needs of the people ahead of personal interests.

Someone also recently asked about my last name because they had always known me as Heather Kraft. When my divorce was finalized, I changed my name back to my maiden name, MacDonald. So if you know me as Heather Kraft, yes—that’s still me!

For those asking, I do have more campaign signs available! Reach out to me, and I will happily deliver one to you.

Thank you for your trust, your encouragement, and your willingness to have these conversations. I know that trust comes with responsibility, and I take it seriously.

Heather MacDonald for Ramsey County Commission

10/15/2026

“The powers that be.” “The forefathers.”

Ha heard that a time or two

I honestly have to laugh when someone mutters those phrases under their breath. Usually, it means somebody put the kibosh on something that could have benefited the community—and somebody else is still frustrated about it. It's almost always a money making opportunity.

Today, one of those remarks brought up a question people have been asking for years: Whatever happened to the company that was looking at building a factory in Devils Lake?
There was talk. Then the talk went quiet. Questions never seemed to get a clear answer, and rumors filled the gap.

The explanation I heard today? Some established employers supposedly didn’t want it here because the competition would mean having to pay their employees more.

Let me be clear: I have not confirmed that explanation with the company. I have heard versions of this story before, and the names sometimes change. I cannot tell you who, if anyone, actually blocked that project or why.
But I can tell you exactly where I stand on the idea of blocking growth to keep wages down.

As one employer speaking to another: Tough s**t.

Keeping a community from growing because you might have to compete for employees is an incredibly shortsighted way to do business.
Let’s look at a simple example. A $1-an-hour raise for 20 full-time employees working 40 hours a week adds up to $800 a week, or $41,600 a year in wages, before additional employer costs.
Now suppose a growing community brings eight additional customers through your doors each business day, spending $100 apiece. Across five days a week, that is $208,000 in additional annual gross sales.

Gross sales are not profit. Businesses have different expenses and margins, and new customers are never guaranteed. But neither is the assumption that higher wages will cost you more than growth could bring in.
More jobs can mean more families, more customers, more spending at local businesses, and a broader tax base. Those benefits can reach well beyond city limits.

We cannot keep complaining that our community isn’t growing while treating competition and better wages as threats. Employees have bills to pay, too. Giving people more reasons to live and work here should be part of the goal.

I know people who work for the company that previously proposed building here. I could find out in short order why they chose not to build in our community. But I should not have to go that route to get answers. The process should have been transparent enough that the public wasn’t left guessing for years.

That is part of what frustrates me. Years later, people are still left with whispers about “the powers that be” instead of a clear explanation of what happened to a potential opportunity.
Business owners understand that projects need review and that some proposals won’t work out. But we also need timely decisions, clear requirements, and people willing to help solve problems so worthwhile projects can move forward.

If that factory proposal fell apart for legitimate reasons, explain them. If fear of paying competitive wages played a role, our community deserves better.

I want a community where businesses can grow, employees can earn more, and our kids have a reason to build their futures here.

Protecting someone’s comfort at the expense of everyone else’s opportunity is no way to get there.

It's time to put someone in office that understands the absolute need to grow. Who can see the hurdles and figure out how to overcome the hurdles. Who's been through the hurdles. Who's tripped on the hurdles. Who's learned though the hurdles. Who has overcome the hurdles to find a whole new set of hurdles.

Quit selling yourself and your neighbors short.

VOTE VOTE VOTE

Heather MacDonald for Ramsey County Commission

10/13/2026

Something I’ve made a daily habit of at work is creating a video with a personal development message.

Most of the time, the message has nothing to do with my personal life or work. It’s simply something that makes you think, offers encouragement, or challenges you to take a hard look in the mirror. I use whatever footage I have on my phone and pair it with a voiceover. It’s amazing how many great messages you can find on TikTok and CapCut.

This started in September 2025, during specials season at the racetrack. We had several drivers chasing national points, with some big-money shows coming up, and I wanted to put some motivation out there.

It took off. By October of last year, we were averaging 21 million views, so we kept going with that same framework.

Since then, we’ve received messages from people all over the globe thanking us for the inspiration, the motivation, and sometimes that hard look in the mirror. What started as encouragement for our racing community reached people far beyond it.
That experience reinforced something I believe: words can encourage people, and actions can turn that encouragement into progress.

That belief is part of why I’m running for Ramsey County Commission. Leadership means listening to people, asking tough questions, and following through on the work needed to move our community forward.

A stronger community starts with people who care enough to show up and get involved. That’s the commitment I’ll bring to Ramsey County.

I included one of today's videos produced. Maybe it will get you over whatever hump you need to get over today.

Have a great day

10/10/2026

I’m not one to brag about everything I do or list my accomplishments. I believe true leadership means doing what needs to be done and moving on to the next task. The work matters more than the recognition.

But this voiceover really resonated with me, and I thought it deserved to be shared. My campaign manager encouraged me to share some snapshots of my life, so I paired them with these words.

Welcome to my life.

The biggest thing I want to stress this Saturday is this: I hear a lot of complaints about what needs to change in our community. My suggestion? Get involved.

Show up. Volunteer. Attend a meeting. Support a local business. Find something you care about and put some time into it.

You get out of your community what you put into it. We all have different schedules, responsibilities, and abilities, but even small contributions can make a difference.

If you want a stronger community, help build it.

10/09/2026

Let’s talk about ego, control, and politics.

It drives me bonkers when someone tells me something isn’t happening while I’m watching it happen with my own eyes. There’s an old saying: “Don’t p*e on my head and tell me it’s raining.”

Denying what people can plainly see doesn’t build trust. It makes them question whose interests you’re protecting.

A former commissioner once told me that, after he was elected, some of the “old dogs” invited him to dinner to explain “how things work around here.”

I chuckled and asked if he went.

He said absolutely not—he was elected to do things differently.

I share that sentiment. Listening to people and learning the job matters. So does remembering that you answer to the voters.

There have been good people elected over the years. But good intentions need a backbone behind them, especially when the pressure starts to fall in line.

It’s no secret that I stand my ground. I will listen. I will ask questions. I will work with people to find solutions. And when the facts show I’m wrong, I will own it.

But I will not abandon my principles to keep influential people comfortable. I will not sell out the people of Ramsey County to appease someone looking out for themselves.

You say you want change. New blood. Someone with a backbone who will ask the uncomfortable questions and stand behind the people who elected her.

I’m here, and I’m ready.

Vote Heather MacDonald for Ramsey County Commission.

10/07/2026

Don't forget it is the Odd Fellows Pancake and Sausage Feed today.

Lots of goodies for sale at the bake sale.

Lunch is served from 11am to 1:30pm today

Supper is served from 4:00pm to 7pm this evening.

At the KC Hall

I’m running for Ramsey County Commission because we need leadership that looks beyond the next budget shortfall and star...
10/06/2026

I’m running for Ramsey County Commission because we need leadership that looks beyond the next budget shortfall and starts building a stronger future.

When city officials say there is no money, my question is: How did we get here, and what are we going to do differently?

I grew up here. I watched a once-busy downtown lose businesses. I watched our private sector struggle. I watched public money go toward efforts that did not produce lasting growth. Too often, the next answer has been to ask taxpayers for more.
Residents have every right to expect accountability before being asked to open their wallets again.

The city’s financial decisions affect the entire county. From my understanding of the current funding discussions, Ramsey County is being asked to provide approximately $144,000 toward the remaining dispatch and 911 funding for 2027. Residents deserve a clear explanation of that obligation and how it is being divided.

Dispatch and 911 are essential services. The people answering those calls deserve dependable support, and taxpayers deserve transparent decisions.
But this is about much more than one funding dispute.

Devils Lake is our county’s economic hub. When it struggles, surrounding communities feel the effects. Growth in Devils Lake matters to Edmore, Starkweather, Brocket, Webster, Crary, Doyon, Hampden, Penn, and Churchs Ferry—and those communities deserve attention and opportunities of their own.
Agriculture will always be a foundation of our economy. Supporting our farmers also means recognizing how deeply a difficult farm year affects everyone else. Tourism brings valuable spending, but it also fluctuates.

We need to broaden our economic base with dependable, year-round employment.
My goal is to help make Ramsey County a place where employers invest, existing businesses can expand, and workers can earn wages that support a family.

We should be actively pursuing employers capable of creating 50 or more jobs paying at least $22 an hour, with good benefits.

That starts with understanding what businesses need: suitable sites, infrastructure, workforce, housing, and a clear path to getting established.
Recruitment must go hand in hand with supporting the businesses already here. They have invested in our communities, employed our neighbors, and weathered difficult years. Their concerns deserve to be heard.

As your county commissioner, I will push for:

• Clear explanations of spending decisions and shared funding obligations.
• Responsible budgeting that prioritizes essential services.
• Practical cooperation between the county, city, and surrounding communities.
• Economic development efforts with measurable goals and public accountability.
• Regular conversations with employers, workers, farmers, and residents about what stands in the way of growth.

The county commission cannot create every job or control every city decision. It can make responsible decisions, bring people to the table, and help address barriers to investment.

I attend meetings because understanding these issues takes work. I try to be there in person because the online audio can be difficult to follow, and I want to hear the questions, explanations, and decisions firsthand.

I am frustrated because I care about this county and have watched too many opportunities slip away. I am running to turn that frustration into work.

Ramsey County deserves leadership that listens, shows up, asks hard questions, and follows through. That is the commitment I am making to you.

Heather MacDonald
Candidate for Ramsey County Commission

Today I had the opportunity to finally attend a Pint and Pioneers event at the cemetery. It was so fun to hear the stori...
10/04/2026

Today I had the opportunity to finally attend a Pint and Pioneers event at the cemetery.

It was so fun to hear the stories of. The families long before us that have shaped our community.

We have so much rich history to be proud of and I never realized how much you learn roaming around at our local cemeteries.

09/30/2026

As I travel around the county and visit with residents, I hear concerns about budgets, a lack of growth, rising taxes, water and road issues, homelessness, addiction, and how our community responds to those challenges.

In many of those conversations, I ask a tough question: “How would you fix it?”

Some people have thoughtful suggestions. Others don’t know where to begin—they just know something needs to change. I understand that. You shouldn’t have to have all the answers for your concerns to deserve attention.

That is where leadership has a responsibility to get to work. Ask questions. Bring in people with experience in those areas. Find out what steps we can take, what they will cost, and who needs to be involved.

Sometimes a solution takes five steps. Sometimes it takes twenty. Sometimes the first approach doesn’t work, and we need to adjust. But leadership has a responsibility to keep working toward a solution and explain the progress along the way.

Leadership means listening to the people, respecting those who disagree, and putting the public’s needs ahead of personal interests. Residents deserve to be heard without being dismissed or belittled.

I have also heard frustrations with current leadership. Some involve decisions that deserve scrutiny. Others come from personal disagreements that have lasted for years.
I will listen to concerns and look at the facts, but I will not take on someone else’s personal vendetta. Having a disagreement with someone does not mean everyone around you needs to inherit it.
Let me also be clear: I will not back down in the face of misogynistic attitudes. Women deserve an equal voice in our county’s future and the same respect afforded to anyone willing to serve. Disagree with my ideas, question my positions, and hold me accountable—but being a woman is not a reason to dismiss my voice or my ability to lead.

Our county has real challenges that deserve our time and attention. My commitment in this campaign is to listen, ask hard questions, and do the work of the people.

I would sure appreciate your vote 🗳

Address

4374 98th Avenue
Crary, ND
58327

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