While North Dakota lawmakers aren't typically the subject of literary intrigue, the new communications director for Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) has written a 560-page book on a legendary North Dakota politician.
Andrea Winkjer Collin authored the 2010 biography "Mr. Wheat: A Biography of U.S. Senator Milton R. Young." The late Young was North Dakota's longest-serving senator (1945-81) and earned the nickname "Mr. Wheat" for his advocacy of wheat farmers in the Upper Midwest and for his strong alliance with Southern Democrats on the Agriculture Committee.
Collin and her husband, Richard, a senior policy analyst for Cramer, currently own Smoky Water Press, a book publisher in Bismarck, N.D.
Andrea Collin was a part-time communications assistant for Cramer from July 2015 until earlier this month. She also has been web, publications and communications coordinator for the State Bar Association of North Dakota and deputy and director of communications for the North Dakota Office of the Treasurer. She earned her bachelor's in journalism from the University of North Dakota.
Richard E. Collin also joined Cramer in July 2015 and worked about a year as deputy state director for Rep. Rick Berg (R-N.D.) He has a master's in space studies from the University of North Dakota. He edited his wife's book on the late Sen. Young and, in 1994, he edited and revised the 1973 Ben Innis book "Bloody Knife: Custer's Favorite Scout."
