Store #50107
Fargo, North Dakota

Ray Holmberg was first elected to the North Dakota State Senate the same day Jimmy Carter was elected as president in 1977. He’s been there ever since.

“I hate to admit it,” he said, smiling. “I've been there awhile.”

Throughout, he also worked as a high school counselor for many years.

Holmberg was meeting a friend for coffee at Starbucks, something he does often, and spoke about his daily routine.

“Every morning I go to Starbucks -- I really do. I get a grande Pike Place, and then I go to Wal-Mart, because as a political person, you have to be out there seeing what's going on in the world, and it's a perfect place to see a cross-section,” Holmberg said. “I always comment that my legislative district in Grand Forks is probably one of the most diverse in the state of North Dakota, because I have in my district, and it's not a huge district, I have all three golf courses in Grand Forks, and both Wal-Marts. How more diverse can you be?”

Why has he continued to work in public service for more than 40 years?

“The people. The opportunity to do things for the state, and you just work with a great number of people that are great,” he said.

—Jennifer Warnick

“Every morning I go to Starbucks -- I really do. I get a grande Pike Place, and then I go to Wal-Mart, because as a political person, you have to be out there seeing what's going on in the world, and it's a perfect place to see a cross-section,” Holmberg said.