The North Dakota Republican and Democrat-NPL parties selected their statewide candidates this past weekend at their respective state conventions.

The Democrats’ convention took place at the Bismarck Event Center, while the Republicans held their convention at the Scheels Arena in Fargo.

The Republicans endorsed Attorney General Wayne Stenejehm for Governor. Stenejehm was vying for the nomination with Dr. Rick Becker, a plastic surgeon and two-term state representative from Bismarck, and Doug Burgum, an entreneur and philantropist from Fargo.

Stenejehm selected State Senator Nicole Poolman, R-Bismarck, to be his running mate. Although he did not receive the Republican endorsement, Burgum plans to run against Stenejehm in the June 14 primary, and as of press time, he has not announced a pick lieutenant governor.

The Dem-NPL endorsed state Rep. Marvin Nelson from Rolla for governor and state Sen. Joan Heckaman of New Rockford for lieutenant governor to face off against the eventual winner of the Republican primary.

Congressman Kevin Cramer received the Republican endorsement for North Dakota’s at-large congressional seat over DuWayne Hendrickson. Cramer has represented North Dakota in the House of Representatives since 2012.

Chase Iron Eyes, a lawyer and Native American activist from Fort Yates, was nominated by the Dem-NPL and will challenge Cramer in the fall.

State Rep. Eliot Glassheim, D-Grand Forks, was nominated by the Dem-NPL to run against U.S. Sen. John Hoeven. Glassheim has served in the North Dakota Legislature since 1993, and announced his retirement from the Legislature last yearafter experiencing some medical issues. He has since announced that he is healthy enough to return to public service.

Hoeven, who was first elected to the Senate in 2010 after ten years as governor of North Dakota, received the Republican endorsement for his re-election bid.

Presidential hopeful Ted Cruz spoke to the Republican convention attendees, and Dr. Ben Carson addressed the convention on Donald Trump’s behalf. The convention selected 25 delegates to the national Republican convention. Unlike many states, these delegates are unbound, meaning they can vote for any presidential candidate they wish at the convention.

The Dem-NPL holds their presidential caucus on June 7, and will send 23 delegates to their national convention, 18 of whom will be bound to a specific candidate based on the caucus results.

Staff Report