| Almost four decades had passed since Steve Swiontek last stepped into the North Dakota House chambers inside the state Capitol in Bismarck.
This week, the chairman of Gate City Bank made a return, attending pre-session meetings there following his Nov. 8 election to the Legislature after more than 38 years. He'll represent a district in south Fargo.
Swiontek served as a Republican in the state House from 1976 to 1984 before stepping away to focus on his growing family and banking career.
Swiontek, a native of Edgeley and a North Dakota State University graduate, was first elected at age 22 to the 45th Legislative Assembly in 1976.
He then pursued a 42-year career in banking, while he and his wife Mary Anne had two daughters, followed by three grandchildren. They're soon to celebrate their 47th wedding anniversary.
Now 68, Swiontek will be sworn in with other lawmakers in December to the 68th Legislative Assembly, which convenes on Jan. 3, 2023.
Steve Swiontek served in the North Dakota House chambers in Bismarck in 1977, where he served until 1984. Swiontek is returning to the Legislature in 2023.
Indeed, Swiontek had no intention of returning to politics, but the phone calls started coming after Cass County gained another legislative district in late 2021 due to population growth and a redrawing of political boundaries.
District 10 runs west of Interstate 29 to parts of Veterans Boulevard, and straddles Interstate 94. Swiontek and his wife happen to live in the south end of this new district.
Other legislators asked him if he'd be willing to serve again. "My answer right away was 'No, we're not. Been there, done that, thank you,'" Swiontek said.
He had retired as president and CEO of Gate City Bank, while remaining as board chairman. Still, the phone calls persisted and four days before the candidacy filing deadline, Swiontek and his wife decided he'd give it another go. |