Matt Heilman is one of the youngest and most extreme lawmakers in North Dakota — and in just one term, he’s built a reputation for launching attacks on LGBTQ+ youth, public education, and even basic human services like school lunches.
Elected at just 21 years old, Heilman entered the legislature as a self-proclaimed “liberty Republican” aligned with fringe far-right factions. In practice, he’s supported banning books, criminalizing teachers, and denying food to hungry children — all while staying silent amid scandals involving racist and homophobic rhetoric from members of his political circle.
Heilman doesn’t just vote the wrong way — he represents a rising generation of elected extremists willing to gut public education, undermine democracy, and use fear to score political points. And he’s doing it in a suburban Bismarck district that’s more moderate than he is.
He’s dangerous. He’s out of step. And he’s beatable.
Key Vulnerabilities
• Extremist Culture War Record
Heilman sponsored bills that would allow parents to sue teachers and schools over content they disapprove of; opening educators up to legal harassment.
He supported bills to ban books, criminalize librarians, and give the state more power to police school libraries.
He voted to require teachers to misgender transgender students, punish school employees who affirm LGBTQ+ youth, and enforce anti-trans laws in classrooms.
• Attacks on Kids and Public Services
Heilman voted to kill a bill that would have provided free school lunch to low-income students across ND — then voted to increase his own daily meal stipend as a legislator.
He backed bills to eliminate state employee pensions and voted against pay increases for teachers and state workers — hurting his own constituents in public service.
He has consistently voted against child care support and other bread-and-butter programs, showing hostility to working families and single parents.
• Ties to White Nationalist and Anti-LGBTQ+ Messaging
Heilman was an active participant in the ND Young Republicans’ private group chat, where elected officials and party leaders shared racist, anti-LGBTQ+, and white supremacist content.
While he didn’t post slurs himself, he remained in the group as it trafficked in hate speech — and has never publicly condemned it or distanced himself.
That silence speaks volumes — especially in a capital city like Bismarck where constituents expect responsibility and leadership.
• Far-Right Extremism Disguised as “Freedom”
Heilman backed a plan to eliminate property taxes entirely — a move that would gut funding for schools, first responders, and county governments.
His political identity is tied to the “Hazlitt Coalition” — a far-right, anti-government faction that openly seeks to shrink public institutions to the point of collapse.
For suburban voters who support police, schools, and infrastructure — Heilman’s ideas aren’t just reckless. They’re dangerous.
• Electoral Vulnerability
He was elected in 2022 without a strong opponent — but has never been tested in a real general election.
His district includes a high concentration of state workers, educators, and moderate families who reject the extremism he brings to Pierre.
Matt Heilman is North Dakota’s most beatable bigot.
He’s a one-term extremist whose record includes voting to jail librarians, deny school lunches, attack LGBTQ+ kids, and gut public services. His silence in the face of bigotry, and his membership in groups promoting hate, make him unfit to represent any North Dakota community — let alone the capital.
He has:
A radical voting record that endangers children, teachers, and working families
Documented ties to racist, anti-LGBTQ+ political circles
Zero meaningful legislative achievements
No proven ability to survive a competitive election
