North Dakota Lawmaker Resigns for USDA Federal Post

State Rep. Jared Hagert to take position within the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency in Washington, D.C.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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State Rep. Jared Hagert, R-Emerado, resigned from the North Dakota Legislature on Monday, February 9th, to take a job in the federal government. Hagert is expected to be named to a post within the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency in Washington, D.C.

Why it matters

Hagert's resignation creates a vacancy in the North Dakota Legislature's District 20, which encompasses parts of western Grand Forks County, Traill County and Walsh County. His departure means the district will have a new representative for the remainder of the term, which expires in 2028.

The details

Hagert, a farmer and owner of Integrated Ag Services, was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives in 2020. He has served as vice chair of the Legislature's Finance and Taxation Committee since 2023 and led interim committees in 2023 and 2025. In 2018, he represented North Dakota on the Farm Service Agency State Committee. Hagert said the new federal post is 'a great opportunity to serve the farm community and give another voice that has been there, on the farm, and in the Upper Midwest and bring that perspective to the USDA'.

  • Hagert resigned from the North Dakota Legislature on February 9, 2026.
  • Hagert's term was set to expire in 2028.

The players

Jared Hagert

A Republican state representative from Emerado, North Dakota, who has resigned from the state legislature to take a federal post within the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency in Washington, D.C.

Randy Lemm

A Republican state senator from Hillsboro, North Dakota, who said Hagert was 'our go-to guy for tax policy' in the legislature.

Erika White

The election director for North Dakota, who stated the District 20 legislative seat will be on the November ballot to determine who serves the remainder of Hagert's term.

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What they’re saying

“It's a great opportunity to serve the farm community and give another voice that has been there, on the farm, and in the Upper Midwest and bring that perspective to the USDA.”

— Jared Hagert, State Representative (Grand Forks Herald)

“I hate to see him go, but you don't get an opportunity like this very often.”

— Randy Lemm, State Senator (Grand Forks Herald)

What’s next

The District 20 legislative seat will be on the November ballot to determine who serves the remainder of Hagert's term, which expires in 2028. The North Dakota GOP District 20 committee has 21 days to appoint someone to fill Hagert's seat through November.

The takeaway

Hagert's resignation creates a vacancy in the North Dakota Legislature's District 20, which will need to be filled through an appointment and then a special election. His departure means the district will have new representation for the remainder of the term, highlighting the fluid nature of state-level politics.