McKenzie County Farmer - Latest News

Patrice Bumstead
Farmer Editor

Former District 26 Representative Jeremy Olson responded to the allegations of sexual assault made against him in a TV interview on May 8, on BEK TV’s Open Range show.

During the show, host Brandon Prichard spoke to Rep. Lori VanWinkle. She provided her timeline of events she claims took place between March -May 5, 2025.

VanWinkle stated she had reported an incident to legislative leaders, in which she witnessed Olson kiss a Legislative Page on the cheek at an event.

The Farmer reported details of the interview on May 9, those details can be found on page 3. Below is Olson’s response to those accusations.

“While I will not comment on rumors and gossip, I will address credibility; the credibility of the two on the interview who attacked me with rumors, accusations, innuendo, but no objective facts.

Prichard and his friends are after my legislative seat, that is the bottom line. This was a coordinated effort that started in the primary election. His horrific mailers with graphic material sent against several incumbent legislators, including me, started before last year’s primary election. His first post following my resignation started with the words “We got him”.

Prichard and VanWinkle are close friends. VanWinkle is the person who reported this, there was no accusation by the people who were involved. Again, another way to get my legislative seat. VanWinkle also has made her own headlines lately by taking a ski trip in the final month of the legislative session, while getting paid, and making hurtful comments about women by stating fertility issues are caused by sin. She clearly has a motive to distract from her own controversies.

When a person like Prichard flippantly throws around an accusation like “sexual assault”, with no proof and no legal complaint, that goes beyond reckless; that requires a legal remedy. I am retaining legal counsel to see what my options are with this inflammatory accusation by Prichard.

Prichard has been accused of and is being investigated about lying about his school, specifically lies about going to law school. He raised money for a Super PAC he controls, claiming it was to educate and engage young people in North Dakota politics, but then funneled the funds to an out of state federal PAC, which subsequently financed another PAC he also operates. He used these funds for attack ads and mailers targeted at incumbent Republican legislators during last year’s primary election season. He made false insinuations of certain legislators being pro-pornography or not standing up for females in sports and other horrible accusations. These attack ads and mailers were full of innuendo, false statements, and downright lies against good Republican legislators. That is just a small sample of the antics by Prichard. This clearly underscores that he lacks credibility in both his words and actions. This interview was just the latest incident and pattern of behavior.

My main point is that anybody can churn rumors and make accusations. Look at the accusers, look at their credibility. Do they have any credibility, or are they trying to score political points with low-grade politics?”

In an interview on BEK TV’s Open Range show, on May 8, former state representative, Brandon Prichard and Rep. Lori VanWinkle, (R) District 3, Minot, discussed the recent resignation of District 26 Representative Jeremy Olson.

VanWinkle shared her account of events that took place between March 2025, and the May 5 resignation.
During the interview, Prichard stated that in Olson’s caucus leader resignation letter submitted he stated his reason for stepping down was due to new employment. “But you and I Lori, knew something a little bit different from behind the scenes, we knew that this was not him being too busy, it was a matter of sexual harassment and assault,” Prichard stated.

VanWinkle confirmed that she had spoken to House Leadership in early March regarding an incident that allegedly took place at a Governor’s Reception, where she witnessed Olson speaking with a young subordinate and as the conversation ended he kissed her on the cheek.

“I just saw her face...and thought she’s either mortified he just did that, or mortified that I watched it happen,” expressed VanWinkle.
Prichard pointed out that “to some people at home ‘oh it’s just a kiss on the cheek it might not be the worst thing ever,’ but legally speaking - it is sexual assault. It is a member that is in a position of power sexually assaulting a Page or an employee of the legislature.”

VanWinkle went on to say that she reported the incident to District 37 Representative, Mike Lefor around March 14. She stated that Lefor had included Legislative Council Director, John Bjornson into the conversation, but after about a week and a half following her report, leadership had not taken any action.

VanWinkle stated she followed up with an e-mail to Bjornson in order to find out if leadership had spoken to the alleged victim, “to make sure she doesn’t fear retribution for me bringing this out in the open.”

According to VanWinkle, when she asked Bjornson what the results were from speaking to the alleged victim, she felt given the scenario, she didn’t want to call it harassment, or do anything about it.

The full episode can be watched at: https://www.bektv.plus/videos/openrange/2025-05-08
The Farmer has reached out to Lori VanWinkle, Dan Johnston, Mike Lefor, John Bjornson and Jeremy Olson for additional comment.
Bjornson and Olson were the only individuals to provide comment to The Farmer.

Legislative Council Director
John Bjornson
“I cannot comment on conversations between our office and legislators. Those communications are considered legislative Council-client communications which are not subject to disclosure under North Dakota Century Code Section 44-04-18.6. In addition, the contents of any complaints filed are not subject to disclosure.
All policies and procedures were followed in addressing any concerns.”

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