Democrats send message of necessity and opportunity at state convention

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - Election season has officially begun, with the first state party convention taking place this weekend in Bismarck.

Over 450 delegates attended Saturday’s convention for the state’s Democratic Party.

Multiple people said this is the biggest turnout since 2018. The party feels it has significant momentum heading into the 2026 election season.

“We have so much enthusiasm, not just because we are motivated by the negative, and motivated for a change in leadership, but because we have really good ideas, and we want people to listen to those good ideas,” said former United States Senator Heidi Heitkamp.

Heitkamp was the last North Dakota Democrat to win a federal seat in 2012.

On Saturday, the party put their endorsement behind a familiar name to North Dakota Democrats, Trygve Hammer, for the open U.S. House of Representatives seat, facing incumbent Julie Fedorchak.

“I care deeply about North Dakota having a voice in the U.S. House. Having a voice in Congress because right now it seems that we don’t, that we have these voices that are concentrating on the national issues and not the things that are hurting North Dakotans,” said Hammer.

On the state level, State Representative and former firefighter Scot Kelsh and Mayville State Economics Professor John Pederson were endorsed for two open seats on the Public Service Commission.

Tim Lamb was endorsed as the Attorney General nominee for a second time to run against current Attorney General Drew Wrigley. In 2022, Wrigley received over 70% of the votes.

State Senator Ryan Braunberger, who has been serving in his position since 2022, was nominated by long-time Democratic Party leader Kathy Hogan to run for Secretary of State.

“The best thing of leadership is listening first. I think sometimes we lack that in the legislature and we lack that in government, is that we don’t always listen to our constituents. I want to be the person who listens to my constituents,” said Braunberger.

There were no contested party endorsements.

Tracy Foss, a longtime teacher and advisor for the Technology Student Association, was endorsed for the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

There were no endorsements for Tax Commissioner or Agriculture Commissioner.

Republicans will hold their state convention at the end of the month at the State Fairgrounds in Minot.

Your News Leader will be there to cover it.