Levi Bachmeier, North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction
BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction Levi Bachmeier officially announced Monday he is running to retain his office in the 2026 election, two days after a Democrat entered the race.
Bachmeier was appointed to the position in fall 2025 after former Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler joined the U.S. Department of Education as assistant secretary. Previously, he was the business manager for the West Fargo School District and coached track and field.
Bachmeier’s goals for the position include improving student outcomes, supporting teacher retention and recruitment and opposing school politicization, according to his campaign announcement.
“The Department of Public Instruction should be a partner, not a barrier,” Bachmeier said in a statement. “Families care about how schools are run, what students are learning, and whether they’re being prepared for life. I’ll work alongside parents, educators and communities to make sure every student graduate’s ready for the real world.”
Bachmeier previously served as policy director and education policy adviser for Gov. Doug Burgum between 2016 and 2019. He also taught high school social studies for two years with Teach for America and worked as a policy analyst fellow with the U.S. Department of Education for a summer.
The North Dakota Secretary of State’s Office has already authorized Bachmeier to appear on the ballot.
The position of superintendent of public instruction is nonpartisan, though candidates can seek letters of support from political parties.
Bachmeier said in a statement to the North Dakota Monitor that while he is a Republican, he is not asking for a letter from the North Dakota Republican Party.
“I am focusing my energy on listening to citizens where they are: state basketball tournaments, small businesses and school communities across the state,” he said. “It’s clear North Dakotans do not want partisan agendas in their schools. I don’t believe it reflects their values to utilize a partisan process while seeking a nonpartisan office.”
On Saturday, the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party voted to submit a letter of support for Grand Forks educator Tracy Foss to challenge Bachmeier for the seat.
Foss works as a technology and engineering teacher at Grand Forks’ Valley Middle School. She is the mother of Rep. Austin Foss, a Fargo Democrat. She has 30 years of education experience, including about 20 as a teacher. She said she has worked at every level, from elementary school to college, and also has worked as a paraprofessional, grant writer and Career and Technical Education leader.
Like Bachmeier, Foss named teacher recruitment and retention as a top priority.
“I believe we have missed some opportunities to make big differences in obtaining real solutions to the problem,” she told delegates at the convention. “It will require a hard look at what is on everyone’s plate, to see what needs to stay, what needs to be redistributed and what needs to be completely removed.”
Foss also indicated she supports universal school meals.
No other candidates have announced their intent to run for the position.
The two superintendent candidates who earn the most votes in the June primary will proceed to the November general election.
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