A former North Dakota Democratic-NPL party leader known for his engaging personality and love for people is being honored during the party’s state convention in Minot this weekend.
Scott Herslip served as chairman of Minot’s District 3 and had been a member of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Executive Committee.
Herslip, 56, died April 11, 2020, in a Minot hospital – one of North Dakota’s earliest victims in the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Scott Herslip was an asset to not only the Democratic-NPL, but the entire state of North Dakota,” said Kylie Oversen, past state party chair. “He cared deeply about improving the lives of his neighbors and creating opportunity for growth and advancement for all. He worked to support small businesses and community leaders. Scott was a mentor and supporter to me and many other young leaders in the party, and his passion for civic engagement left a lasting impression on many. His presence and dedication is definitely missed as we gather in Minot for our convention.”
Herslip’s life touched many in the Minot area but also around the state. Joel Heitkamp, a Fargo talk show host and former state senator, said Herslip had an army of friends — himself included.
“He was bigger than life,” Heitkamp said. “Scott’s first instinct was to give. He took what he had and what he had succeeded with and tried to find ways to help people with it, and I loved that about him.
“Not only that, but what he was absolutely fabulous at was finding ways to collectively get people together to do something,” he added. “He would focus really hard on ‘Hey, we can get that done.’ And then he’d call and he’d tell you, ‘Guess what you’re in on.’ And you couldn’t say no because that’s who he was.”
Because of Herslip and people like him, underdog candidates such as his sister Heidi Heitkamp, who became N.D. Attorney General and later a U.S. senator, were given a chance, he said.
Tom Seymour, a former Democratic-NPL state senator and District 5 chairman from Minot, now of West Fargo, remembers Herslip’s enthusiasm.
“Scott always had a smile on his face and was ready to help any Democrat at the drop of a hat,” Seymour said. “Many times he used his pickup to haul and place Democratic signs in the Minot area. When the Minot Democrats would have a fundraiser for Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson or our Congressman Earl Pomeroy, Kent Conrad, or Byron Dorgan, Scott was always present to write a check or make the event a success. In Scott’s business he traveled the Dakotas and Montana so he always had on the tip of his tongue the latest Democrat news and he shared the news on a regular basis.”
Herslip, with his wife, Kari, lived in Minot, where he owned and operated several businesses. In his last position, working for Colonial Research, he drove thousands of miles selling chemicals and supplies in western North Dakota, Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota. Herslip had grown up on a farm near Souris, graduated from Minot High School in 1982 and studied at Dakota College in Bottineau and Bismarck State College.
Having gained a long list of friends over the years, he kept his cell phone busy conversing on the long drives with his job. He also enjoyed discussing and debating the issues with friends at so-called “board meetings” at the Ground Round.
Elizabeth Hanson of Fargo, who worked with Herslip on many projects in Minot, called him a good friend to many Democrats across the state.
“I will always remember his great smile, humor and his willingness to help everyone. He is very missed by all of us. I am pleased that the N.D. Dem NPL is giving this award to Scott while the party meets in our hometown, which gives his friends and family the opportunity to honor his memory,” she said.
Bob Horne of Mesa, Arizona, a former District 3 senator from Minot, described Herslip as an all-around good person who was willing to help in any way.
“Scott was a very friendly, outgoing, optimistic guy who did a lot for the party at different levels,” Horne said. He said Herslip’s ambition and high energy had him always on the move. He also described Herslip as creative and willing to take chances to make things happen.
“That made him a good leader within the party and within District 3,” he said.
“It’s not easy being a politician in North Dakota, and when you were down, he was the person you could call because he picked you right back up and got you back on the track,” said Lisa Wolf, a former District 3 legislator. He also was the go-to sign person for Democratic-NPL candidates in the district, she recalled.
“Because he met so many people and knew so many people in this town, he was always finding us prime sign locations,” she said with a smile.
She agreed with others, though, that what set truly set Herslip apart was how much he cared about the people of North Dakota.
“He had a genuine heart. He never did anything for his own political gain,” she said. While suited to public service, Herslip’s job commitments never allowed him to run for office, although Wolf said he talked about doing that someday.
“Then we lost him before he ever had the opportunity,” she said.
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