Tracy Potter holds a BA and MA in History from the University of North Dakota. He spent several years in the insurance sector, including a stint at a state-level department. Potter transitioned to public service, where he served as the executive director of The Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation for nearly two decades. He has held various leadership roles in public service and non-profit sectors, including as president of the Northern Plains Heritage Foundation and active involvement in Rotary.

Tracy Potter's political career is marked by a blend of regional focus and ideological fluidity, particularly evident in their independent run for North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction. Despite lacking explicit policy stances in key areas, Potter's history in tourism and public service suggests a strategic emphasis on economic development through cultural heritage. His repeated unsuccessful bids for higher office reveal a persistent, if not always victorious, engagement with state-level politics. Potter's approach seems to balance local interests with broader policy considerations, hinting at a nuanced understanding of regional dynamics.