North Dakota state representative Liz Conmy, a Democrat from Fargo, passed away in a plane crash in Minnesota this Saturday, alongside her pilot, Joe Cass.
The small aircraft, a Beech F33A, went down shortly after taking off from Crystal Airport north of Minneapolis. The Brooklyn Park Police were called to the scene at 11:51 a.m., where they discovered the plane had crashed and ignited in Southbrook Park near 62nd Avenue North.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed there were two people on board, and thankfully, no injuries were reported on the ground. The National Transportation Safety Board has initiated an investigation and is expected to send a team to the site soon.
Joe Cass, identified as the pilot and a friend of Conmy, was confirmed deceased by various sources, including state Senator Tim Mathern. The North Dakota Democratic–Nonpartisan League Party also recognized her loss in an official statement.
Details surrounding the crash and the purpose of the flight have not yet been disclosed by authorities.
Conmy represented North Dakota House District 11 in south Fargo and was elected in 2022. At the time of her untimely departure, she was in the process of campaigning for re-election.
Her roles included membership on the Education Committee, the Judiciary Committee, and the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, as well as participation in the state’s Human Trafficking Commission. She was known for her farming background, which shaped her perspective on legislation affecting both urban and rural communities.
North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong expressed condolences, stating, “Liz served her state and community with care and compassion.” He has ordered U.S. and North Dakota flags to be flown at half-staff on the day of her funeral.
House Minority Leader Zac Ista reflected on Conmy’s vibrant spirit, stating, “She lived life to its fullest, never shying from adventure.” He emphasized her ability to balance serious work with humor and camaraderie.
The community mourns the loss of a dedicated public servant and a cherished friend, hoping to find solace in this challenging time.
