North Dakota looking for vaccine skeptics-turned disciples Associated Press Modern Healthcare Illustration / Getty Images Rep. Keith Kempenich was among the thousands of North Dakotans who never took the coronavirus seriously, skipping face coverings and blowing off the vaccine as an unnecessary hassle. But the longtime Republican lawmaker and rancher from the state's highly conservative southwest corner is now a believer after being infected with the virus, which he said nearly killed him in the waning days of the legislative session this spring. "I've changed my tune," he said. "You're not going to beat this on your own." The North Dakota Health Department is looking for testimonials from former virus skeptics like Kempenich as part of a planned public education campaign to boost the state's dismal vaccination rate. Kempenich, who could barely breathe while being emergency airlifted from his home in Bowman to a Bismarck hospital, says he's willing to share his story.