You’re probably here because you searched for the mayor of North Dakota. It sounds like a simple enough question. But honestly, if you ask a local, they’ll probably give you a funny look.
There is no such thing.
States have governors. Cities have mayors. North Dakota, being a state, falls under the jurisdiction of Governor Doug Burgum (at least for now, as he navigates his national political profile). But the reason people keep typing that specific phrase into Google usually points to a deeper curiosity about how power works in the Peace Garden State or, more likely, a specific interest in the people running its biggest hubs like Fargo, Bismarck, or Grand Forks.
It’s an easy mistake to make. Sometimes we’re thinking of a specific "big city" mayor who seems to represent the whole state’s vibe. Other times, it's just a brain fart. Either way, let’s get into who actually holds the gavel in North Dakota's most influential spots because that's where the real action is.
The Big Three: Who Actually Runs North Dakota's Cities
When people think of the most powerful municipal leader in the state, they are usually thinking of the Mayor of Fargo. Fargo is the economic engine. It’s the place that feels the most like a "big city" despite the endless horizon of sunflowers and wheat just outside the city limits.
Dr. Tim Mahoney has been the Mayor of Fargo for a long time. He took over after the passing of Dennis Walaker in 2014 and has been a steady hand ever since. Mahoney isn’t your typical career politician; he’s a reconstructive surgeon. That professional background actually tells you a lot about how he governs. It’s clinical. It’s focused on infrastructure. If you've ever followed the "Diversion" project—the massive, multi-billion dollar effort to keep the Red River from swallowing the city every spring—you know Mahoney has been the face of that struggle.
Then you have Bismarck.
Bismarck is the capital, but it feels different from Fargo. It’s more conservative, more tied to the legislative cycle. Mike Schmitz is the guy there. He’s a CPA. Again, North Dakota has this thing for electing "numbers people" and "problem solvers" rather than firebrand orators. Schmitz deals with the unique challenge of running a city where the state government is the biggest neighbor.
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Grand Forks and the College Connection
Brandon Bochenski is the Mayor of Grand Forks, and his story is probably the most "North Dakota" thing ever. He’s a former professional hockey player. In a town that lives and breathes UND North Dakota Fighting Hawks hockey, that’s basically like being royalty.
Bochenski brought a more aggressive, business-first approach to the office. He’s been in the middle of some of the state's biggest recent controversies, including the proposed Fufeng Group corn milling plant. That project was a lightning rod because of its ties to a Chinese company and its proximity to the Grand Forks Air Force Base. It put a local mayor in the middle of a national security debate.
That’s the thing about being a mayor in a state with a small population. You aren't just worried about potholes. Sometimes you’re dealing with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
Why the "Mayor of North Dakota" Concept is a Growing Myth
Why do people keep searching for a single mayor? It might be the "small town" effect.
North Dakota feels like one big small town. Everyone knows everyone. When a mayor in a place like Minot or West Fargo makes a move, it ripples across the whole state. People start viewing these leaders as statewide figures.
Take North Dakota’s legislative structure. It’s a "citizen legislature." They only meet every two years. Because the state government isn't constantly in session, the local mayors often become the most visible, daily symbols of political authority. They are the ones you see on the local news talking about snow removal or new tech jobs.
The Power Dynamics You Should Know
In North Dakota, cities mostly use a President of the Board of City Commissioners system, though everyone just says "Mayor" for the sake of simplicity.
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It’s a weak-mayor system in many spots. This means the mayor is often just one vote on a five-person commission. They don't have veto power like the Mayor of New York or Chicago. They have to lead by consensus. If Tim Mahoney wants a new library in Fargo, he can't just decree it. He has to convince the other commissioners. This forces a very specific kind of Midwestern pragmatism. You can't be a jerk and get things done.
The "Governor as Mayor" Phenomenon
If there is anyone who fits the description of a mayor of North Dakota, it’s Doug Burgum.
Before he was Governor, Burgum was the guy who basically rebuilt downtown Fargo. He’s a software billionaire who sold his company to Microsoft. He treats the state like a startup. He talks about "main street initiatives" and "walkable communities"—things you’d expect to hear from a city planner, not a rural governor.
Because Burgum’s influence is so tied to urban development and the tech sector, he often gets conflated with the municipal leadership. He’s the state’s CEO. But if you're looking for the person who decides if the trash gets picked up on Tuesday or Wednesday, you’re looking for a city commissioner.
Notable Mayors Beyond the Big Cities
Don't sleep on the western part of the state. The "Oil Patch" is a different beast entirely.
- Williston: Howard Klug. He’s had to lead a city that went from a sleepy town to a global energy hub almost overnight. Talk about a headache. Managing the housing crisis, the infrastructure strain, and the fluctuating price of crude is a full-time job that requires more than just "political" skills.
- Minot: Tom Ross. Minot is the "Magic City," home to a massive Air Force base. The relationship between the city and the military is the top priority there.
- Dickinson: Scott Decker. This is the gateway to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Each of these people has more influence over the daily life of North Dakotans than almost anyone in Washington D.C.
What Most People Get Wrong About North Dakota Politics
The biggest misconception is that it’s a monolith. People think it’s just one big red state where everyone agrees.
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Wrong.
The politics of a Fargo mayor are vastly different from the politics of a Watford City mayor. Fargo is becoming more diverse, younger, and more "blue" in its urban core. The mayors there have to balance that shift with a state legislature that is deeply conservative. It’s a constant tug-of-war.
Also, it’s not all about agriculture. While the "Mayor of North Dakota" (if they existed) would certainly need to know their way around a tractor, the actual mayors of these cities are obsessed with high-speed fiber internet, drone technology (Grand Forks is a national hub for this), and autonomous farming.
How to Get Involved or Find Your Local Leader
If you actually live in North Dakota and you’re trying to find your mayor, stop looking for a state-level office.
Go to your city’s official website. Look for the "City Commission" page. In North Dakota, transparency is actually pretty high. You can usually find the mayor’s direct email address. You can show up to a commission meeting and actually speak. People do it all the time. Sometimes they complain about the snow. Sometimes they complain about property taxes.
North Dakota is one of the few places left where you can actually walk up to the "most powerful person in town" at a Dairy Queen and tell them what you think.
The Actionable Truth
Whether you are a student doing a report or a resident trying to lodge a complaint, here is how you navigate the "Mayor of North Dakota" situation:
- Identify the City: You aren't looking for a state mayor. You are looking for the leader of Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, or West Fargo.
- Check the System: Remember that most ND cities use a commission system. The "Mayor" is the President of that board.
- Use the Right Resources: Use the North Dakota League of Cities directory. It is the definitive list of every municipal leader in the state.
- Understand the Governor's Role: If your issue is statewide (taxes, state laws, professional licensing), you need the Governor’s office, not a mayor.
- Attend a Meeting: City commission meetings in North Dakota are usually broadcast on local access cable or YouTube. It’s the best way to see how the "sausage is made."
Ultimately, the "Mayor of North Dakota" is a title that belongs to no one, but the responsibilities of that imaginary role are handled by a handful of dedicated, pragmatic people who are mostly just trying to keep the lights on and the roads clear in some of the toughest weather in the country.
Next Steps for You: Check your most recent utility bill or property tax statement. It will list your specific municipality. From there, head to that city's ".gov" website to find the specific meeting minutes for your local commission. If you want to see how the state's most prominent "almost-mayor" operates, look up the latest executive orders from the Governor's office in Bismarck.