Senator Heitkamp grew up in a large family in the small town of Mantador, ND. Alongside her six brothers and sisters, she learned the value of hard work and responsibility, leading her to choose a life of public service. As a crime-fighting attorney general, she battled drug dealers, protected senior citizens from scams, and worked to keep sexual predators off streets and away from kids, even after their prison terms are up.

Her reputation as an advocate for the people grew when she served as a leader in the national settlement with the tobacco companies that required them to tell the truth about smoking and health, and pay restitution to the states.

As a director of the one-of-a-kind Dakota Gasification synfuels plant, Senator Heitkamp has a long record of serving as a champion for North Dakota's energy industry. She believes North Dakota's all-of-the-above energy plan should serve as a model for the entire country.

Senator Heitkamp sits on the Senate Agriculture Committee and Committee on Indian Affairs. She also serves on the Banking, Small Business and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committees

Heidi lives in Mandan with her husband, Dr. Darwin Lange, a family practitioner. They have two children, Ali and Nathan.