Fargo state senate candidate wants more civility in Bismarck but tougher approach to violent career criminals

(Fargo, ND) -- A republican candidate running for state senate for the newly formed District 10 in Fargo says there is something he would like to bring to Bismarck if elected. 

"I'd like to see a bit more collegiality and also you know good civil discourse. Sometimes that's been missing especially lately in the legislative process," said Curtis Olafson. 

Olafson formerly served as a state senator from 2006 to 2012. He is a farmer and rancher, and previously ran a construction business. Olafson wants a tougher approach toward crime. He says he'd push for a new law that would allow courts the option to hold defendants with violent criminal histories without bail until their cases are resolved. He refers to the approach as "rebuttal presumption". 

"In the five categories of crime that the state crime bureau classifies as being violent crime has increased 46 percent in Cass County comparing 2011 to 2020 and it's increased 38 percent statewide," said Olafson.