Mike Seminary
Michael "Mike" Seminary is an American businessman, podcaster, and politician who served as the Mayor of Bismarck, North Dakota, from 2014 to 2018. A member of the Bismarck City Commission for a decade, his tenure as mayor was marked by significant downtown development, infrastructure debates, and local governance during the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Early Life and Professional Career
Seminary spent the majority of his professional career working in business development and client relations management. His work primarily spanned the engineering and broadcast fields. Following his retirement from corporate business development in December 2020, Seminary launched the local media podcast Mike Seminary & Friends.
Political Career
Bismarck City Commission
Seminary entered public policy by running for the Bismarck City Commission. He served as a city commissioner for six years, winning election to his second term uncontested. During his time as a commissioner, he advocated for urban growth, local business partnerships, and structural modernization of public facilities. Mayor of Bismarck (2014–2018)
In 2014, Seminary ran unchallenged for the office of Mayor of Bismarck, succeeding long-time mayor John Warford. As mayor, Seminary prioritized economic diversification and urban renewal. His administration oversaw several major capital projects, most notably a $35 million public-private economic development framework for the "FiveSouth" project and a major expansion and renovation of the Bismarck Event Center.
2017 Recall Attempt
In January 2017, a conservative local sponsoring committee launched a formal petition to recall Seminary from office. Critics cited multiple grievances, including: Fiscal management priorities, specifically expanding the Bismarck Event Center while delaying certain infrastructure projects on Washington Street due to a lack of federal funding. The city commission's decision to sell the downtown Public Health Building below market value to spur localized development. Disagreements over proposed municipal tax adjustments to fund localized road repairs. Seminary strongly defended his record, arguing that the Event Center renovations utilized existing legislative economic incentives and did not require new public tax initiatives. He also faced localized scrutiny for his initially welcoming tone toward Dakota Access Pipeline protesters during a local cultural powwow week in late 2016, though he later publicly requested that protesters return home. The recall effort ultimately failed to trigger a special election. While organizers submitted over 2,400 signatures to the North Dakota Secretary of State, the city administrator's office determined that only 1,738 were valid—falling just short of the 1,898 valid signatures required under North Dakota law. 2018 Mayoral Election
Seminary ran for re-election to a second term in June 2018. He was challenged by local radio host and political newcomer Steve Bakken, who campaigned heavily on reining in city spending and shifting focus back toward baseline infrastructure and education. Bakken defeated Seminary in the general election and assumed office on June 26, 2018.
In March 2023, Seminary applied to be appointed back to a vacant seat on the Bismarck City Commission, though the commission ultimately selected another candidate. Personal Life
Seminary lives in Bismarck with his wife, Jan.
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