Heather Tyulyandin

Heather Tyulyandin* is the endorsed Democratic-NPL candidate for the North Dakota Senate from District 16 in southern West Fargo. Tyulyandin is a 23-year-old native of LaMoure, N.D., and Alexandria, Minn.,  and a first generation college student who has been attending North Dakota State University. She has completed a bachelor’s degree in political science and human development family science and is finishing a master’s degree in higher education administration.

Tyulyandin has been an active local volunteer. She interned at Make-A-Wish Foundation North Dakota and has read to children at several local schools. She was crowned Miss Bonanzaville in July of 2022. She testified before the 2023 North Dakota Legislature on food insecurity legislation, has volunteered at the Dorothy Day Food Pantry, and helped found NDSU’s food pantry. Heather has worked at the Cass Clay YMCA in West Fargo and in NDSU residence life since 2020.

The key issues driving her candidacy are education, workforce development, and food insecurity, Tyulyandin said. She supports funding for public schools and lunches for school children, as well as affordable post-secondary education. Her workforce priorities include addressing childcare needs, affordable housing, and growing the workforce. Food insecurity issues are reflected in the fact that the Great Plains Food Bank reported that they served a record-breaking number of people in 2023, according to Tyulyandin. People need access to healthy and affordable food regardless of where they live in North Dakota, she said.

*[Too-LAN-Deen]. Her family’s surname is Gades.