The 2026 North Dakota General Election concluded with strong performances from the Republican candidates, maintaining the party’s dominant position across state government. Several high-profile races drew significant attention in this election, as North Dakotans chose to re-elect their sole member of the U.S. House of Representatives, along with re-electing the current office holders for various state-wide races.
In addition to the races for elected offices, North Dakota voters made their decision to defeat two constitutional ballot measures, one referred by the Legislature and one citizen-initiated. Results below are unofficial and remain subject to the official canvass.
Statewide Races
Congress – Fedorchak Re-elected to U.S. House
Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak won her first re-election in the U.S. House; she will continue to be an advocate for North Dakota’s interests in Washington, although she will now serve in the minority after Democrats nationwide took control of the chamber. She defeated Democratic-NPL challenger Trygve Hammer by more than 48,000 votes, 134,477 (57.3%) to 85,892 (36.6%). Independent candidates Charles Tuttle (3.96%) and Helene Neville (1.96%) split the remainder.
Secretary of State – Michael Howe Re-elected
Current Secretary of State Michael Howe won his re-election. He defeated Democrat Ryan Braunberger, who is currently a State Senator representing District 10 from Fargo. Howe won re-election by more than 56,000 votes, 144,033 (62.0%) to 87,963 (37.9%).
Attorney General – Drew Wrigley Re-elected
In a rematch of the 2022 race, Attorney General Drew Wrigley won his re-election, defeating Democrat Tim Lamb 148,423 (63.8%) to 83,732 (36.0%), the widest margin of any partisan statewide race on the ballot.
Agriculture Commissioner – Doug Goehring Re-elected
Incumbent Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring won re-election, defeating Democrat and former State Senator Vern Thompson by nearly 60,000 votes, 146,373 (62.7%) to 86,612 (37.1%). Goehring will continue to lead the Department of Agriculture as an advocate for North Dakota’s agriculture industry.
Public Service Commissioner – Sheri Haugen-Hoffart and Jill Kringstad
Incumbent Sheri Haugen-Hoffart defeated Democratic challenger John Pederson 140,931 (61.2%) to 88,901 (38.6%), a margin of roughly 22.6 points. Jill Kringstad, was running for an unexpired two-year term, after being appointed to the seat by Governor Kelly Armstrong. She defeated her Democratic challenger, former state Representative Scot Kelsh, 142,110 (61.7%) to 87,702 (38.1%), a margin of roughly 23.6 points. This leaves the Public Service Commission firmly in Republican control. Commissioner Randy Christmann was not up for election in 2026.
Superintendent of Public Instruction – Levi Bachmeier Elected
In the nonpartisan race for the unexpired two-year term, Levi Bachmeier defeated challenger Tracy Layne Foss 127,928 (62.8%) to 74,825 (36.7%), a margin of roughly 26 points. Bachmeier was appointed by Governor Armstrong to the position in 2025, after former Superintendent Kirsten Baesler left office to take a position with the U.S. Department of Education.
North Dakota State Legislature
House of Representatives
The Republican Party maintained its supermajority in the House of Representatives. This significant majority will allow the party to maintain control over legislative priorities. Republicans won 40 of the 51 House seats on the ballot (48 regular seats in the odd-numbered districts plus unexpired two-year terms in Districts 20, 26 and 42). Democrats posted a net gain of three seats, which will leave the House of Representatives with a Republican supermajority of 80 to 14, well above the 63 seats needed for a two-thirds majority.
Senate
The Republican Party also maintained its supermajority in the State Senate. Leadership and policy direction will remain under Republican direction as few seats changed parties in the election. With a total of 24 seats up for election, Republicans maintained a strong performance, winning 20 of the contests, with the remaining four won by Democrats. The only Senate seat to change parties was in District 43. This gives the Republican Party a supermajority in the Senate of 41 to 6.
Key Legislative Races
While most legislative races maintained the status quo, a few competitive districts experienced close contests.
District 11 – Republicans picked up a House seat in Fargo's District 11, where both seats had been held by Democrats. Democrat Anastassiya Andrianova led the field with 3,028 votes, and Republican Doug Sharbono claimed the second seat with 2,063 votes, finishing ahead of independent candidate Cara Cody-Braun (1,903). Democratic Senator Tim Mathern was re-elected, defeating Republican Christine O’Riley 3,265 to 1,913.
District 41 – Fargo’s District 41 produced the closest contests of the night. In the Senate, incumbent Republican Kyle Davison held his seat, defeating Democrat Nyamal Dei 3,315 (53.4%) to 2,881 (46.4%). In the House, however, Democrats picked up both of the district’s Republican-held seats. Chris Tiongson (2,921 votes) and Stacy Heidenreich (2,861) edged out Republicans Jennifer Benson (2,828) and Rich Slagle (2,741). Just 33 votes separate Heidenreich and Benson for the second seat, the narrowest legislative margin in the state.
District 43 – Democrats swept District 43 in Grand Forks. Former state Representative Mary Adams unseated incumbent Republican Senator Jeff Barta 2,167 (54.7%) to 1,789 (45.2%), the only Senate seat to change parties this cycle. In the House race, Democrats Tyler York (2,036) and Lukas Maughan (1,902) defeated Republicans Mike Holmes (1,567) and Jill Chandler (1,541), picking up the district’s Republican-held House seat and giving Democrats all three of the district’s legislative seats.
Other Notable Results – Elsewhere, Democrat Nicole Derenne won the unexpired House term in District 42 over Republican Connie Osowski, 1,508 to 1,251. Several Republican incumbents also faced tighter-than-usual races, including Senator Judy Lee in District 13 (52.9%–46.6%) and Senator Jonathan Sickler in District 17 (54.1%–45.8%), while in District 45 Republican Carrie McLeod held the second House seat by 147 votes over Democrat Ross Lockhart.
