Former B-52 Pilot Says Minot Was Their Only Choice

“As an immigrant, I know first-hand that the opportunities that this country has to offer are second to none. But to turn opportunity into real success requires a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication. My goal is to truly represent every member of District 40 ensuring that the legislation that leaves Bismarck adds true and real opportunity for every person and family by protecting individual liberty, inspiring personal responsibility, and ensuring limited government.”

Lt. Col Jose Castaneda knew that Minot would more than likely be their home after retiring from the U.S. Air Force, and the 46 year naturalized citizen, originally from Mexico made another decision, “I decided that with Senator Karen Kresbach retiring from the District 40 Senate seat, I had an opportunity.”

Jose, inspired by his experience in the United States and North Dakota, wants to give back and as such, is currently an at-large member of the District 40 Republican Party and a candidate to serve the residents of District 40 in the state legislature. He intends to focus his legislative efforts on the Republican Party platform ideals of individual liberty, personal responsibility, and limited government.

Jose was born in Mexico City and his family legally immigrated to the United States in 1985. In 1992 he very proudly became an American citizen. Jose’s mom is a retired teacher, and his dad is an electrical engineer. He was raised in Tucson, Arizona and graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 2000. Jose continued giving back to his adopted country by serving 20 years in the United States Air Force after graduation.
After serving as an instructor pilot at Sheppard Air Force Base, he became a B-52 pilot. He was initially stationed at Minot Air Force Base from 2008 to 2013 then after two and a half years at the Pentagon, he requested to return to Minot to finish his last assignment from 2016 until his retirement in 2020.

Jose continued impacting his community after leaving the Air Force. He puts his military training to use by serving as a medevac pilot flying in and out of Minot International Airport.

The Castaneda family includes Jose’s wife, Feliciana, and children, Joseph, Gabriella, Matthew, Sarah, Isabel (the oldest at 23), Daniel & Hose (the youngest at 15).

“What North Dakota offers is special, and unique, and I don’t want that to change” according to Castaneda. “I am running as a true Republican. I believe in the right to bear arms; I believe that parents have the final authority in providing a quality education. I also believe in the rule of law, which means secure elections and secure borders. Marxist ideals are going to destroy our country. However, North Dakota has a fervor for liberty and opportunity. I was born in Mexico City, but I am not a fan of illegal immigration. I look back and know that I could have worked 10 times as hard in Mexico and not gotten as far as I have.

The District 40 republican party endorsement is on March 12th, the primary election is on June 11th, and the general election is on November 5th.