Live Results: North Dakota midterm primaries
Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/live-results-north-dakota-midterm-primaries Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Live Results: North Dakota midterm primaries Politics Jun 9, 2026 3:45 PM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — North Dakota's lone U.S. House member faces a partial rematch of her 2024 nomination race in a state primary on Tuesday. Also on the ballot is a proposed amendment to the state constitution, while residents of Fargo will elect a new mayor. READ MORE: What to watch in Tuesday's primaries as Platner seeks Senate nomination in Maine Republican U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak seeks a second term. She faces another primary challenge from former foreign service officer Alex Balazs, who placed fourth in the 2024 contest with 4% of the vote behind her and others. Fedorchak went on to win the general election with 69% of the vote against Democrat Trygve Hammer, who also is running again and will face the winner of this year's Republican primary. Voters will also choose nominees for several top statewide offices, although candidates for most of those offices, such as secretary of state, state attorney general and state agriculture commissioner, are running unopposed. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Many of the state's top elected offices, such governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer and both U.S. Senate seats, won't be up for election until 2028 or later. In another statewide contest, voters will decide a ballot measure that would bar future proposed constitutional amendments from addressing more than one subject at a time. Instead, they would be limited in scope to a single subject. READ MORE: A rare Trump setback, a missing congressman and Spencer Pratt: 6 takeaways from the latest midterm primaries In North Dakota's largest city, Fargo, voters will elect a new mayor to succeed term-limited incumbent Tim Mahoney. Five candidates are running to replace him in the nonpartisan office. This year's race marks two significant changes from previous mayoral elections. In 2025, the City Commission voted to change the position of mayor from part time to full time. This will also be the first mayoral election since the state banned the unique voting method Fargo voters had adopted in 2018. Under the city's "approval voting" system, there was no limit on the number of candidates a voter could select, and the candidate receiving the most votes would win. The system was designed to produce winners with broad-based support among voters. Also on the ballot are primaries for the state Legislature. Slightly more than half of North Dakota's 47 state Senate and 94 state House seats are up for election in 2026. Republicans enjoy overwhelming supermajorities in both chambers. North Dakota is one of the most reliably Republican-voting states in the nation. Republican presidential candidates have won the stat
These primary elections show ordinary voters making their voices heard. When citizens engage directly in choosing candidates, it strengthens our democratic process. Lets hope this momentum translates into meaningful change in November.
academic comment This populist narrative oversimplifies democratic engagement. Primary elections are crucial, but voter turnout remains disappointingly low. True democratic vitality requires sustained civic participation beyond election cyclesotherwise we risk mere procedural democracy rather than substantive representation. 200 characters
The North Dakota midterm primaries offer a fascinating glimpse into the states political dynamics, where the Republican Partys dominance remains strong but faces growing challenges from Democratic candidates who are increasingly competitive in traditionally red counties. The results will likely shape the broader national conversation about midterm turnout and voter sentiment heading into the general election.