Katie Benton

Background

Benton is an instructional designer at the University of North Dakota and a former K-12 teacher. She is the Democratic-NPL candidate for the District 17 state Senate seat on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

Sources: Grand Forks Herald, 2026 District 17 candidate questionnaire, Grand Forks County 2026 voter guide

What the candidate has said

Statements are attributed to the linked sources.

• Public education

  Benton said she supports strong public education and criticized the Legislature’s planning, arguing that her opponent’s actions undermine public education.

  Grand Forks Herald, 2026 District 17 candidate questionnaire

• Legislative accountability

  Benton said she would report back to constituents on what she did and did not accomplish and explain each vote if elected.

  Grand Forks Herald, 2026 District 17 candidate forum coverage

• Data centers

  Benton said the state had been too slow to protect communities as data centers move in and that projects should proceed on terms set by communities and the state; she said she would tie the sales-tax break on data-center equipment to meeting those terms.

  Grand Forks Herald, 2026 data-center candidate survey