Born and raised in Minot, ND, Josh graduated from Bishop Ryan High School and attended North Dakota State University where he received a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. He is a Realtor and business leader who has helped build Hatch Realty, one of Fargo-Moorhead’s top real estate brokerages known for providing innovative customer service and implementing technology to better serve their clients.
Josh was elected to represent District 44 in the ND House of Representatives in 2012, flipping a seat that had been held by Republicans for over 20 years. He spent the four and a half months leading up to the election listening to the concerns and hopes that his north Fargo neighbors had for the future of North Dakota. Josh was able to engage with thousands of voters in a way that brought Republicans, Independents, Democrats and Libertarians to support his campaign. He continued listening to and engaging his constituents throughout his first term and was soundly re-elected in 2016 for another four-year term.
While in Bismarck, Josh has served on the House Industry, Business and Labor Committee, the House Agriculture Committee, Administrative Rules Committee, Interim Government Finance Committee, Interim Economic Impact Committee and Interim Workers’ Compensation Review Committee. The diversity of the policies discussed in these committees has allowed Josh to become well versed in the various perspectives that small business owners, family farmers, entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders hold throughout the state. During the 2019 legislative session, Josh was elected the House Minority Leader, where he works with the House Majority Leader, Senate Leaders and the Governor to ensure North Dakota is moving forward. He is considered a leader within the Legislature who is willing to listen and partner with stakeholders to pass laws that move North Dakota forward.
When not serving in Bismarck or helping people buy and sell homes, Josh remains active in many local organizations. He has served on the Board of Directors of the ND Council of Abused Women Services, is the past president of the FM Coalition for Homeless Persons and serves on the Executive Committee on the Prairie Public Broadcasting Board of Directors. Josh remains active with several other community organizations including the Horace Mann Area Neighborhood Association. As an Associate member of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Josh represented the order at the United Nations Commission for Social Development for two weeks in New York City. Additionally, Josh has volunteered locally with Special Olympics, the American Red Cross, the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, the ALS Association of Minnesota/North Dakota/South Dakota Chapter, New Generation North Dakota and Gladys Ray Shelter & Drop-In Center. His involvement in these organizations allows Josh to build relationships with individuals, employers, community groups, faith-based organizations and service providers that inform him of some of the issues we face locally and throughout the state.