Why It Matters
The death of a sitting North Dakota state representative has forced Fargo Democrats into an unusual political arrangement, backing a candidate who must run outside party affiliation due to state election law constraints. District 11, one of a handful of North Dakota legislative districts represented by Democrats, now faces a complicated path to the November ballot.
What Happened
State Rep. Liz Conmy, who held a North Dakota House seat in a south Fargo legislative district, died in a plane crash in Minnesota on April 25. Her death created an immediate legal and electoral dilemma for local Democrats.
Because her passing came too late to remove her name from the June primary ballot, Secretary of State Michael Howe confirmed she would remain listed. Under North Dakota election law, Conmy’s name could not advance to the November general election ballot, and state law also prevented the Democratic Party from designating a replacement candidate for that race.
Anastassiya Andrianova and Conmy received the most votes in the uncontested Democratic primary. The Democratic Party had chosen not to back a write-in candidate during the June primary. Adam Goldwyn is serving out the final months of Conmy’s term but is not a candidate for her seat.
Facing those restrictions, the Fargo Democratic-NPL organization endorsed Cara Cody-Braun to pursue the seat — but as an independent rather than a Democrat. Cody-Braun, a recently retired teacher originally from Mandan, plans to collect signatures to qualify for the November 3 ballot. The filing deadline for independent candidates is August 31.
“I want to represent the needs of my Fargo neighbors and advocate for working families all across our great state,” Cody-Braun said.
She will campaign alongside Sen. Tim Mathern and House candidate Andrianova in District 11. On the Republican side, Doug Sharbono secured enough write-in votes to appear on the November ballot, and Christine O’Riley is running as a Republican for the Senate seat held by Mathern.
Legal Questions Remain
The Democratic-NPL Party requested an opinion from Attorney General Drew Wrigley on the situation. Wrigley’s office indicated it would research whether it had the authority to issue such an opinion, leaving the legal picture somewhat unsettled as the party and its endorsed candidate chart their next steps.
What’s Next
Cody-Braun must gather sufficient petition signatures before the August 31 independent candidate deadline to secure her place on the November 3 general election ballot. District 11 remains a closely watched district given its status as one of the few in North Dakota where Democrats hold legislative seats.
For more on how North Dakota’s primary elections shaped up heading into the June vote, and on the broader disagreement between the Democratic-NPL Party and the secretary of state over how to handle candidate replacement after a lawmaker’s death, see related coverage.