Zac is a husband, new father, and Grand Forks County Prosecutor who believes in fighting for working families and small businesses. Key values:
- Expanding access to affordable childcare and paid family leave
- Treating mental health and addiction
- Supporting law enforcement and first responders
- Growing and strengthening the middle class
- Tackling the challenges of workforce development
- Building strong schools by supporting parents, students, and teachers
Campaign Contact Information
701-361-6671 | zachary.ista@gmail.com
About Zac
Born and raised in the Red River Valley, Zac and his family are proud to call Grand Forks home. After earning a teaching degree from North Dakota State University, Zac studied law at American University in Washington, D.C. He now works as a prosecutor for Grand Forks County, specializing in child welfare and mental health cases. After fighting to secure state funding for a Veterans Treatment Court in Grand Forks, Zac also is working to launch that program in our city. Before becoming a prosecutor, Zac worked in immigration law for the United States Department of Homeland Security and represented labor unions and their members in private practice.
Zac was appointed to represent District 43 in the North Dakota House of Representatives in 2020. Since then, Zac has served on the Finance & Taxation, Energy & Natural Resources, Healthcare, and Higher Education Committees. In his first legislative session, Zac led efforts to extend workers’ compensation coverage to frontline workers impacted by COVID-19. He also sponsored successful legislation that removed the threat of jail time for adults cited for underage drinking, making sure the focus instead is on addressing any treatment needs these individuals have. Zac’s proudest legislative accomplishment is leading the passage of a law recognizing the heroism of our first responders, police officers, and firefighters who lose their lives in the line of duty by extending health care coverage to any spouses and children they leave behind. Following his first session, Zac earned the competitive Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Fellowship from the nonpartisan Council of State Governments.
In the community, Zac is active as an officer for the Grand Forks Noon Rotary Club and is a member of the Randy H. Lee chapter of the American Inns of Court. Zac continues his passion for advocating for workers as the Vice President of the Grand Forks County Employee Association and is proud to be a member of North Dakota United, the state’s largest labor union. One of Zac’s favorite community activities is teaching future lawyers the art of courtroom advocacy by coaching UND law students participating in national trial competitions.
Zac loves spending free time with his family and friends. His wife, Leah, is an emergency room physician in Grand Forks. They stay busy raising their toddler, Asher, and their infant son, Tyson. To relax, Zac loves cooking up new recipes, dreaming of his next vacation, and teeing off for a round of golf on a beautiful North Dakota summer day.
