The North Dakota Republican Party has voted to prevent those who didn’t participate in last weekend’s state convention in Minot from using the ‘NDGOP’ or Republican affiliation in their candidacies. That includes multiple statewide office holders and U.S. House Representative Julie Fedorchak.
NDGOP representatives have indicated they will attempt to prevent those candidates from using the Republican party affiliation in this year’s elections. However, they may lack the legal authority to do that.
A spokesperson for Fedorchak said the NDGOP lacks any legal authority to enforce the vote. Other elected Republicans in the state have also pushed back on the attempt and indicated they will attempt to block enforcement.
The vote passed 318-312 on Saturday. Party Chairman Matt Simon also said that the NDGOP wouldn’t be endorsing candidates in a slew of statewide races.
Those candidates who the NDGOP says they are stripping of the Republican party endorsements can still get on the party’s primary ballots by collecting signatures. There are likely to be court challenges with the changes happening close to this year’s midterm elections.
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