North Dakota Republicans Skip the Party’s Endorsement
Most North Dakota Republican incumbents prefer focusing on the June 9 primary over party endorsement, with some citing campaign strategy and official duties, per party sources.
- On Saturday, March 7, 2026, the North Dakota Democratic-NPL held its state convention at Bismarck State College, where delegates endorsed four statewide candidates and promoted a campaign message on utility costs, election access and criminal justice reform.
- Under state law, party endorsements can be placed on the June primary ballot if reported to the Secretary of State's Office, with insiders recruiting for about 75 seats and aiming for 95% by April's filing deadline.
- Trygve Hammer won the convention endorsement for the U.S. House seat with 360 delegate votes, while the party endorsed Ryan Braunberger for secretary of state, Timothy Lamb for attorney general, and John Pederson for Public Service Commission.
- Delegates did not nominate candidates for agriculture and tax commissioner, leaving two statewide races without Dem-NPL challengers, and Neville plans to gather signatures to challenge Hammer in June primary.
- With Republicans strong statewide, Democrats face an uphill climb as Kelsh stresses responsible data-center development against Kringstad, and Hammer said, 'We will win because our state and our country need us to win.
9 Articles
9 Articles
Port: None of North Dakota’s statewide GOP incumbents are seeking party’s endorsement
MINOT — To avoid any confusion from this column, I must first explain that in North Dakota, a political party’s endorsement isn’t the same thing as the party’s nomination. Traditionally, the Democrats and the Republicans (and sometimes third parties, when they’re active) hold a state convention in the spring of every election year. Those conventions issue endorsements for candidates. Under state law, the parties can notify the Secretary of State…
North Dakota Republicans Skip the Party’s Endorsement
None of the Republican incumbents currently holding statewide office in North Dakota will be seeking the Republican party’s endorsement at the state convention later this month, the Fargo Forum reports. “A candidate or two choosing to skip a party convention for tactical reasons isn’t unusual, but the full slate of statewide candidates opting out sure is. Party leadership has been taken over by populist activists who are, in many ways, hostile t…
North Dakota Democrats endorse candidates including Trygve Hammer for U.S. House
BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – North Dakota Democrats endorsed Trygve Hammer Saturday to represent the party after a fiery convention speech critical of Republican incumbent Rep. Julie Fedorchak. Hammer overwhelmingly defeated Democratic-NPL candidates Vern Thompson and Helene Neville to secure the party’s nomination. Hammer, a former Marine and graduate of the Naval Academy, invoked a famous Navy phrase while pledging to stand by Nort…
North Dakota Dem-NPL sees over 500 in attendance for state convention
BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — On Saturday, March 7, over 500 Democrats from around North Dakota gathered at Bismarck State College to discuss the party's strategy and candidates for the 2026 midterm elections. This was the largest gathering for the party since the 2018 convention in Grand Forks. The event included speakers and video messages from [...]
N.D. Democrats hold convention, endorse statewide candidates
BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota Democrats have wrapped up their 2025 state convention in Bismarck. More than 400 delegates were in attendance to hear from former U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp among others. They also endorsed several candidates, including Trygve Hammer for U.S. House, Tim Lamb for Attorney General, John Pederson and Scott Kelsh for Public Service Commission, and Ryan Braunberger for Secretary of State. They also issued a letter of su…
North Dakota Democrats endorse Trygve Hammer in House race, set statewide nominees
BISMARCK — Trygve Hammer received his second endorsement in three years to represent the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party in a race for the state's sole U.S. House of Representatives seat. He received endorsement with 360 votes during Saturday's convention. His competitors for the endorsement Helene Neville and Vern Thompson received 25 and 64 votes, respectively. Hammer was introduced by the sounds of hundreds of feet stomping in approval on t…
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