Representative Zac Ista

Zac Ista is a Democratic member of the North Dakota House of Representatives representing District 43 in Grand Forks. He serves as House Minority Leader since April 2023 and is an attorney specializing in child welfare, mental health, and prosecution.

Zachary Milo Ista was born on April 7, 1985, in West Fargo, North Dakota, and raised in the Red River Valley. He resides in Grand Forks with his wife, Leah, and their two children. As a Grand Forks County prosecutor , he focuses on child welfare and mental health cases. He also serves as legal counsel for a local hospital. Ista previously worked in immigration law for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and represented labor unions in private practice.

Notable achievements and positions:
- Appointed to the North Dakota House in October 2020 to succeed Matt Eidson; won election in 2022.
- Serves on Finance & Taxation, Energy & Natural Resources, Healthcare, and Higher Education committees.
- Led passage of legislation extending workers’ compensation to COVID-19 frontline workers, removing jail threats for underage drinking , and providing healthcare coverage to spouses/children of fallen first responders, police, and firefighters.
- Secured funding for a Veterans Treatment Court in Grand Forks.
- 2021 graduate of CSG Midwest Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development ; 2023 CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award recipient.
- Key priorities: affordable childcare, paid family leave, mental health/addiction treatment, law enforcement support, middle-class growth, workforce development, and strong schools.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: BA in Secondary Education/Social Science from North Dakota State University; JD from American University Washington College of Law.
• Political Experience: Ran for North Dakota House District 13 in 2006 as a student. Appointed to District 43 in 2020; elected in 2022. Became Minority Leader on April 30, 2023, succeeding Joshua Boschee.