Governorship and House seat on the ballot in conservative North Dakota, where GOP primaries are key

BISMARCK, N.D. — Voters on Tuesday settled a tempestuous Republican primary battle for North Dakota’s lone U.S. House of Representatives seat and a competitive race for governor, with each winner putting themselves in a leadership position for November’s general election.

Also on the ballot is a high-profile initiative that would do just that stop people from running or serve in the U.S. House or Senate if they reach age 81 during their term.

The GOP primaries are key to winning office in the conservative state, where Republicans dominate and Democrats have not won a single statewide election since 2012. Some legislative races have only Republican candidates this year, and two GOP state officials are unopposed.

North Dakota has no voter registration system; all that is required to vote is an accepted form of identification, such as a driver’s license. Any eligible voter can vote in Republican races as long as they remain with that party on the ballot.

Republican Gov. Doug Burgum, one of those considered by former President Donald Trump vice presidential choiceis not seeking a third termAnd U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong And Lt. Governor Tammy Miller face each other in the primaries in hopes of succeeding him.

Armstrong, a three-term congressman, has received support from the state party and Trump. Miller did not attend the GOP convention but has Burgum’s support.

Democratic state Senator Merrill Piepkorn is also a candidate for governor because he is independent Michael Koetsmanwho once tried in vain Burgum memory on the ballot. Coachman is not on the ballot Tuesday and has not yet submitted any signatures to be on the ballot for the general election.

The next governor will be charged with balancing priorities, spending and tax cuts at a time when the state’s finances are healthy, and will also consider property tax reform, said Jim Poolman, a former Republican state insurance commissioner, lawmaker and party official.

In the race for the House seat vacated by Armstrong, Republican contenders include military veteran and former U.S. State Department employee Alex Balazs; plastic surgeon and former state representative. Rik Becker; long-term public services commissioner Julie Fedorchak; Williston resident Sharlet Mohr; and Cara Mund, a lawyer and former Miss America who ran without success as an independent in 2022.

The relatively little-known Balazs has the backing of the state party, while Trump and Burgum have endorsed Fedorchak, who has won three previous statewide races. Becker, who has created an ultra-conservative faction in the Legislature, has the support of U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and other conservatives in Congress. Mund acts as a moderate. Mohr is also little known.

The campaign was marked by harsh, negative ads in a battle of “who can be the Trumpiest,” said Earl Pomeroy, a Democrat who held the seat from 1993 to 2011.

“Have we really just gotten to the point where it’s all some kind of Fox News-driven competition on national, conservative talking points, or is there still an opportunity in a congressional race to talk about tough issues facing the state and who’s in charge? best can tackle them?” said Pomeroy.

Whoever wins for the Republican Party will face the winner of the Democratic primary, among military veterans Trygve Hamer and frequent candidate Roland Riemers.

The voting measure That would set Congress’ age limit, intended to prevent age-related and cognitive problems among officeholders, advocates say.

Some Legal experts are looking at it as a test case for reconsidering a 1995 U.S. Supreme Court ruling against congressional term limits. A state legislative panel confirmed one Cost estimate of $1 million the measure pending a lengthy legal challenge.

Republican USA Senator Kevin Cramerwho is unopposed in Tuesday’s primary as he seeks re-election, opposes the measure and says voters should be able to choose who they want.

“Arbitrarily limiting these decisions doesn’t make sense to me,” Cramer said.

Despite the decisive nature of primaries, historically they have low turnoutranging from 17% to 27% of eligible voters between 2014 and 2022.