I knew my day yesterday would be starting early. What I didn’t know was the news I’d be waking up to. I had been invited to talk with folks in the northwest corner of the state, and now the tone of those conversations would reflect what had happened overnight.

On this episode of the Plain Talk Podcast, U.S. House candidates Trygve Hammer and Vern Thompson debated Israel's actions in Gaza, the national debt, abortion, tariffs, the separation of powers, passenger rail service, and more.

Afternoons Live with Tyler Axness welcomes Trygve Hammer, Candidate for U.S. House in North Dakota, to discuss why he is running and what he plans to do with the job.

Trygve Hammer is a retired Marine Corps officer and a veteran of the Global War on Terror. He also taught 7-12 grade science in a rural school, worked on oil rigs in the Bakken, as a freight rail conductor, and as a counselor for Job Corps in Minot.

On Saturday, each of North Dakota’s two largest cities held district conventions in preparation for the state convention. Trygve Hammer, who ran for Congress in 2024, is seeking the seat once again. Hammer spoke at the Bismarck-Mandan district convention, telling a packed auditorium, “We have no voice in Congress.” Hammer said. “We deserve better, our military families deserve better.”