Biography
John Risch was elected to the City Commission in 2024. A Mandan native, Risch and his family moved to Bismarck in the 1980s.
Risch worked in the railroad industry for 42 years and was instrumental in ending the practice of train whistles in downtown Bismarck. He is the highest-ranking union official to be elected from the state of North Dakota. A consistent figure testifying in front of the North Dakota State Legislature, his work focused on railroad issues, as well as labor, tax, insurance and other issues important to working people.
A graduate of Bismarck State College, Risch earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Labor Studies from Antioch University of Yellow Springs, Ohio, while working full-time on the railroad.
Term
Expires in 2028
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 5503
Bismarck, ND
58506-5503
Portfolio Assignments
- Airport Department
- Animal Advisory Board
- Burleigh County Planning Commission
- CenCom Department
- Fire Department
- Intergovernmental Relations
- Lewis & Clark Regional Council
- Pension Review Board
- Police Department