North Dakota GOP Senator Doug Larsen and Family Perish in Utah Plane Crash

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North Dakota Republican State Senator Doug Larsen, his wife Amy, and their two young children tragically lost their lives in a plane crash near Moab, Utah. This heartbreaking news was confirmed on Monday by the Republican Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, who shared the sorrowful information with his fellow senators via email.

The Larsen family was returning from a family visit in Scottsdale, Arizona when they made a stopover in Utah to refuel their aircraft. Unfortunately, the plane crashed shortly after taking off from Canyonlands Airfield, located about 15 miles north of Moab.

The Grand County Sheriff’s Office received a distressing report of a plane crashing into the ground shortly after takeoff. A subsequent search led to the discovery of the downed aircraft in a remote area bordering Canyonlands Regional Airport.

Senator Larsen, a man of faith and a patriot, was piloting the aircraft at the time of the tragic incident. All four passengers onboard, including Senator Larsen, his wife Amy, and their two youngest children, did not survive the crash.

Senator Larsen was a respected figure in the North Dakota Senate, having been elected in 2020 to represent District 34, which includes the city of Mandan and its neighboring Bismarck.

His colleagues remember him as a hard worker with a dry sense of humor, a man who wasn’t afraid to delve deep into policy matters. His clear stance on issues and his refusal to sugarcoat his opinions earned him respect among his peers.

Beyond his political career, Senator Larsen was also a successful businessman, co-owning a business with his wife Amy. His dedication to service extended beyond the Senate and the business world, as he had a long history of military service.

Larsen served 29 years in the North Dakota Army National Guard, with two deployments to his credit – one to Iraq from 2009-10 and another to Washington, D.C., from 2013-14. His exemplary service earned him several military honors, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Service Star, and Army Aviator Badge.

Senator Larsen was also known for his vocal criticism of mRNA vaccines. He advocated for legislation to investigate the potential long-term health impacts of these experimental shots, demonstrating his commitment to the well-being of his constituents.

The North Dakota Republican Party released a statement expressing their heartfelt sympathy to the Larsen family, acknowledging that Senator Larsen’s voice will be sorely missed in the North Dakota Senate.

Fellow State Senator Scott Meyer paid tribute to Larsen on Facebook, reminiscing about their daily interactions and expressing his deep respect for Larsen’s straightforward approach to issues.

As investigations into the tragic incident continue, we join the nation in mourning this tremendous loss. We extend our deepest condolences to the grandparents, the surviving stepchild of Senator Larsen, and the extended family of Doug and Amy.Â