Meet Josiah Roise, Minot's Mayoral Candidate

Introducing Josiah Roise, a Mayoral Candidate in Minot

As the upcoming special election for the position of Mayor in Minot approaches, the community is getting to know the candidates who are vying for this important role. The election is set for August 5, and one of the first candidates to be introduced is Josiah Roise. His campaign has generated interest and discussion among residents, and his vision for the city is clear.

Roise was born and raised in Minot, and he returned to the city after spending some time out of state. He believes that his experiences outside of Minot have given him a broader perspective on what needs to change within the community. His campaign platform is centered around being a constitutional mayor, with a focus on restoring the foundational principles upon which the country was built.

“I aim to be a constitutional mayor in the sense that I will protect the people from government overreach,” Roise explained. “The constitution is full of rules for what the government can’t do to us, what they can’t take away from us, and right now so many constitutional rights are being trampled on a daily basis. Many people don’t even know their rights because it’s been going on for so long, and they’ve been born into a new normal of having their rights trampled.”

One of Roise’s main concerns is corruption within the city. He emphasizes that while economic growth and business development are important, the real issue lies in having an honest government. He draws a parallel to former President Donald Trump’s call to “drain the swamp” in Washington, D.C., saying that there is a similar problem in every state.

“You know, people can talk all day long about wanting to do well for the economy and businesses, and that’s great. I want that too. But what the real problem is, what the people generally need fixed, is we need some honest government. That seems like a fantasy to talk about honest government, but we need to route out corruption. It’s like there’s a swamp in every state, and I intend to drain the swamp here,” he said.

Roise also addressed some misconceptions about his campaign that have circulated on social media. One such misconception is that he has spoken about the age of consent. He clarified that the only reference he made was during a meeting involving a rainbow flag, where he criticized California for similar actions. He called the ongoing rumors about his stance on this issue “absurd” and “disgusting.”

Another misconception is that he wants to abolish the police department. Roise clarified that his goal is not to eliminate law enforcement but to restructure it by transferring the police department to the sheriff’s department. He believes this would give more power to the voters, as the sheriff is directly elected by the people and accountable to them.

“It’s rebranding, it’s transferring the police from the police department, where the City Council is in charge of them, to the sheriff’s department, where we are in charge of the sheriff. We the people vote and elect the sheriff into office; he’s accountable directly towards us. Therefore, if we’re having problems with corrupt police or corrupt sheriff, for example, every four years, he’s got to reconvince us that he’s not corrupt and that he’s the right man for the job. That puts more power in the hands of the voters. I want more engagement from the people in Minot.”

When asked about his top priorities, Roise outlined three key areas: removing fluoride from the water and improving the water filtration system, ensuring that the police department does not enforce unconstitutional laws, and reducing taxes in the city.

Roise is committed to dedicating himself fully to the city and its residents. He will be holding a rally on Tuesday and Wednesday at Oak Park in Minot, giving locals a chance to hear more about his vision firsthand.

Stay tuned for more updates on other mayoral candidates in the coming days.