MINOT, N.D. – North Dakota Republican delegates are set to vote this weekend on a resolution that could significantly reshape how the state nominates candidates for office. The proposal, to be considered at the NDGOP state convention in Minot, aims to eliminate partisan primaries and give the state party more control over who appears on the general election ballot as a Republican.
The move comes amid growing tension between the state party and several incumbent Republican officials, all of whom bypassed the traditional endorsing convention this year, opting instead to gather signatures to qualify for the primary ballot. This unprecedented action has sparked a fierce debate within the party about the balance of power between grassroots members and elected leaders, and the future direction of the North Dakota GOP.
Currently, North Dakota allows candidates to secure a spot on the ballot in one of two ways: by winning the endorsement of a political party or by collecting a required number of signatures. The proposed resolution, if adopted and subsequently enacted into law, would effectively require candidates to earn the NDGOP’s endorsement to be identified as a Republican on the ballot. Without the endorsement, a candidate could still run, but would not carry the party affiliation next to their name.
Senator Kent Weston, R-Sarles, and co-chair of the NDGOP Resolutions Committee, emphasized that the resolution isn’t intended to bar anyone from running for office. However, he explained that it would reinforce the party’s role in shaping its own representation. “If this proposal is supported by lawmakers and becomes law, it wouldn’t allow candidates to have an ‘R’ next to their name on the ballot without endorsement from the party,” Weston said, according to reporting from the North Dakota Monitor. He described the current situation as a fracturing of the party, stating, “The party is being ripped apart and very divided and some are picking up their toys and not wanting to play. That’s not healthy.”
Incumbents’ Decision Fuels Party Division
The catalyst for this push appears to be the decision by all of North Dakota’s Republican statewide incumbents to forgo seeking the NDGOP endorsement this year. Several cited dissatisfaction with the handling of the 2024 convention as a key reason for their choice, as reported by the North Dakota Monitor. Instead, these officials, including Representative Julie Fedorchak, are collecting signatures to appear on the primary ballot. Fedorchak has also received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, a move her campaign spokesperson, Kate Roberts, said reflected the expectation that the party should align with Trump’s choices, stating North Dakotans “expect the state party” to stand with Trump’s endorsed candidate.
This move was met with strong criticism from members of the state Republican Party, who during a March 10 press conference, called the incumbents’ actions “shameful.” North Dakota Republican Party Chair Matt Simon has consistently voiced his preference for endorsing conventions over signature-gathering, arguing that the party, as a private organization, has a right to nominate its candidates. “The organization (NDGOP) itself is just a collection of people that share values and we should have a right as a private organization to nominate our candidates,” Simon said in January.
A History of Disagreement Over Nomination Process
This isn’t the first time the issue of party endorsements has come to the forefront in North Dakota. Representative Mike Nathe, a Bismarck Republican, previously attempted to eliminate the state party endorsement process with a bill in the last legislative session. While the bill failed, Nathe says he’s being encouraged to reintroduce it in 2027. He argues that allowing all registered voters in a district to decide nominations is preferable to a decision made by a smaller group of party insiders. “All they’re doing is just building a case to pass that bill next session,” Nathe said.
The debate also highlights a perceived disconnect between the State Committee and the broader Republican electorate. Geoff Simon, vice chair of NDGOP District 30, believes the party leadership “needs to come to terms” with this division. He pointed to the 2024 election results, where candidates endorsed by the state party for U.S. House and Superintendent of Public Instruction both lost significantly in the June primary, as evidence of this disconnect. “There’s a widely held perception that the State Committee doesn’t represent the majority of Republican voters in the state, and that’s just what’s happening right now,” Simon said.
What’s on the Ballot and What Happens Next
Beyond the U.S. House race, where Alex Balazs is the sole Republican seeking the party’s endorsement, the Public Service Commission race also features a candidate seeking endorsement – Deven Styczynski, who is running against incumbent Sheri Haugen-Hoffart, who will not be attending the convention. The convention rules currently prevent floor nominations for other statewide offices, including attorney general, secretary of state, agriculture commissioner, tax commissioner, and superintendent of public instruction, though delegates could potentially vote to suspend those rules.
Delegates will vote on the resolution Sunday during the NDGOP state convention in Minot. If passed, it would signal a significant shift in power within the North Dakota Republican Party and set the stage for a legislative battle in 2027. The outcome will likely shape the future of candidate selection and the overall direction of the state’s dominant political party.
The next step will be the outcome of the vote on Sunday, followed by any potential legislative action in the 2027 session. North Dakota voters interested in learning more about the candidates and issues at stake can find information on the Secretary of State’s website: https://www.nd.gov/sos/.
What do you think about the proposed changes to North Dakota’s primary system? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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