Kelly Armstrong
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR/NewsDakota.com) — The North Dakota GOP endorsed their candidates for the 2024 elections on Saturday, April 6th in Fargo.
Rick Becker caused some confusion with the nomination for U.S. House of Representatives. In the vote for the U.S. House nomination, Public Service Commissioner Julie Fedorchak initially led first-time candidate Alex Balazs of Cando, North Dakota, but failed to reach the necessary majority due to an effort led by former state legislator, Rick Becker, who encouraged delegates to write in his name, despite being ineligible to run for the endorsement due to party rules.
After a second vote still failed to produce a winner, Fedorchak resigned from the race, allowing Balazs to receive the endorsement. Many in the party were frustrated with Becker, with Attorney General Drew Wrigley saying that Becker had disenfranchised himself by running as an independent against Hoeven, and that he skipped the primary back in 2022 because he knew he’d lose.
Fedorchak said that Becker knew he was ineligible, but chose to run anyway. “Rick Becker spoiled the ballots intentionally like we know. He did that and for him to come down and suggest that it was any other thing. But that was just not accurate and so it was time to say no, that’s not leadership.“
Balazs said that he was considering dropping out as well, but that Fedorchak had beat him to the mic. “We were on our way down to talk to Julie about it and see what we should do.”
Lt. Governor Tammy Miller did not seek the party’s endorsement at the convention, leading to Representative Kelly Armstrong receiving the nomination unopposed. They will still face off in the June 11th Primary.
Armstrong criticized Miller’s decision in a press conference after receiving the nomination. “I’m here. I’ve been everywhere. We answer questions. We don’t hide behind consultants. We’re out there. We’re more conservative. We have a conservative record, 12 years of doing this. Both at the state party level and in the congressional level.”
Michelle Strinden a State Representative from Fargo was selected to become Kelly Armstrong’s running mate for Lt. Governor.
Meanwhile, Kevin Cramer received the Republican party endorsement to run for another term for the North Dakota U.S Senate seat. Cramer was elected to that seat back in 2018.
The North Dakota primary election will be held June 11th and the general election will be held November 5th.
