North Dakota Democrats endorse Chase Iron Eyes for Congress

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Attorney and Native American activist Chase Iron Eyes has earned the opportunity to try to get Democrats control over North Dakota’s sole U.S. House seat.

North Dakota Democratic convention delegates unanimously endorsed Iron Eyes on Saturday to run for the U.S. House. The state’s seat currently belongs to Republican U.S. Rep. Kevin Cramer.

Iron Eyes says he plans on defeating Cramer by mobilizing the Native American vote like “never before” and by reaching out to people who feel “neglected” by the government.

Iron Eyes, who is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, addressed his criminal history Saturday. He served time after he was convicted in 2002 of stealing a car and other crimes. He says he had a serious alcohol addiction at the time, but has become a family man and has been sober for 10 years.