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North Dakota GOP Rebukes Incumbents Skipping Convention as It Weighs Floor-Nomination Fix

Leaders signal a possible suspension of rules to open endorsements following a filing list with only two candidates.

Congresswoman-elect Julie Fedorchak speaks during a farewell event in Memorial Hall at the Capitol in Bismarck on Dec. 19, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)
Matthew Simon, center-right, chair of the North Dakota Republican Party, speaks during an event at NDGOP headquarters in Bismarck on March 10, 2026. Others pictured, from left, are Andrea Toman, Delvin Boehm, Lori Hinz, Greg Demme and DeAnn Reed. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Overview

  • All Republican statewide officeholders confirmed they will bypass the March 28–29 state convention and compete in the June primary, pointing to disillusionment with the 2024 convention process.
  • Party chair Matthew Simon said delegates "deserve better" and criticized incumbents for ignoring roughly 1,000 convention delegates who expected to hear from them.
  • Only U.S. House candidate Alex Balazs and Public Service Commission hopeful Deven Styczynski filed for endorsements by the deadline, leaving several statewide contests without endorsement seekers.
  • The NDGOP Rules Committee will consider suspending the ban on floor nominations to fill endorsement slates, as conservatives including Rick Becker and Sen. Jeff Magrum urge opening the process.
  • Democrats reported their strongest convention turnout in years and endorsed Trygve Hammer for U.S. House, drawing a contrast with Republican infighting.