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As first reported by Michael Achterling from the ND Monitor, the debate over American military involvement in Iran has become a focal point for North Dakota’s 2026 U.S. House race, as the three candidates for ND’s only House seat weigh the goals of the conflict and its growing economic impact on different regional industries.
As “Operation Epic Fury” enters its third month, the three primary contenders, incumbent Julie Fedorchak, GOP-endorsed Alex Balazs, and Democrat Trygve Hammer, disagree on whether President Trump requires further congressional authorization for the conflict. Fedorchak is in support of the ongoing conflict, and believes the mission is nearing completion, expecting military operations to conclude before the 90-day-threshold is reached in late May. She believes Trump is allowed a 90-day window for executive action, authorized under the 2001 AUMF. Balazs also believes the actions are within executive authority, and advocates for “staying the course” to prevent a nuclear Iran. Hammer, a Marine veteran, opposes the war, calling for strict congressional oversight of military force. He believes Congress must authorize any prolonged conflict to prevent further loss and damage.
All three candidates expressed hesitation in mobilizing large-scale ground forces, and acknowledged the economic effects. Balazs supports “smaller, strategic special forces” for missions like pilot rescues and discourages politicians placing a timeline on the war, while Hammer warns that any “boots on the ground” would make U.S. troops immediate targets, while drawing comparisons to prior conflicts, saying “You saw how hard it was to get boots off the ground in Afghanistan, in Iraq.” Hammer also said that high energy and fertilizer costs will outlast the war. Balazs argued that while energy prices are high, they are a necessary price to pay for regional and global security.
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