North Dakota
Candidates not seeking Republican endorsement bad for party long-term, NDGOP chair says
GRAND FORKS — North Dakota Republican Party Chairwoman Sandi Sanford said the number of candidates and the quality of candidates running for North Dakota’s U.S. House seat is good for the state, although she believes the trend of bypassing the Republican endorsement isn’t good for the party.
“This is incredibly exciting for North Dakotans,” Sanford said. “I love the fact that people are stepping forward and I’m grateful to have so many candidates for the state of North Dakota to choose from.”
At present, three Republican candidates are hoping to be the party’s November candidate for the state’s sole seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. They include
Rick Becker
, of Bismarck;
Tom Campbell
, of Grafton; and
Julie Fedorchak
, of Bismarck. Campbell and Fedorchak have said that they will try to get the party’s endorsement, but all three will go to the June 11 primary regardless.
According to NDGOP’s rules, “any person who has sought the endorsement of another political party or ran as an independent for statewide office in the past six years shall be prohibited from seeking the endorsement of the North Dakota Republican Party’s state convention.”
That rule means that only Fedorchak and Campbell are eligible for the Republican endorsement, since Becker ran as an independent candidate against Sen. John Hoeven in 2022.
Overall, the trend of bypassing the endorsement process is bad for the party, according to Sanford.
“We need to give candidates a reason to seek the endorsement,” Sanford said. “For whatever reason, there’s been a shift in the party. What we’re experiencing in the state of North Dakota is not unique. … What is happening in North Dakota is happening across the nation.”
Candidates receiving party endorsement and support have made the NDGOP into the dominant force it is in North Dakota politics, Sanford said
“This is what built a supermajority in the last 12 years,” she said. “My concern is the fact that we have a state committee that’s somewhat split, and the party wants to have good candidates, and we want to keep a supermajority.”
Sanford continued, “I think the June primary is going to be really telling for us to whether the GOP endorsement matters.”
Sanford, who recently returned from a national Republican Party meeting, said the whole party, not just in North Dakota, needs to figure out its identity.
“We need to be clear on what we stand for, what our core values are. We also need to understand that there are many people in the big Republican tent,” Sanford said. “I think we’re forgetting that as Republicans, we have different factions in the state that believe their faction is the only way and that is just not true.”
Recent history in North Dakota has shown that candidates who don’t have the party’s endorsement can still win. Now-U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer didn’t get the party’s endorsement when he won the U.S. House primary in 2012, and Gov. Doug Burgum didn’t have the party’s endorsement when he won the primary for governor in 2016.
While the candidates may not abide by the party’s decision, in the eyes of Sanford, that decision does show how serious they are about running for office.
“There are seriously good candidates that are really having to resort to ‘you know what, I’m taking it to the primary regardless,’ and that’s sending multiple messages,” Sanford said. “It’s telling people that the GOP is just tradition, that the GOP is really nothing at all. But it is also telling us that these are serious candidates and they are not going to back down regardless of the convention or lack of endorsement.”
Voigt covers city government in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks.
North Dakota
Connections Tourism: Projects in Wheatland, Mountain and Lakota win North Dakota tourism grants – KVRR Local News
BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — A total of $4 million has been awarded to 8 projects in the latest round of grants to boost tourism in North Dakota.
The 2026 cycle of Destination Development Grants saw 103 applications from 61 communities.
Those in our region include $300,000 to help create the new Icelandic Roosthus heritage center in Mountain in Pembina County.
It has been in development for over eight years.
$870,000 to Johnny’s Landing in Wheatland in Cass County which is a lodging development with 14 RV sites and 12 wellness-focused heritage cabins converted from authentic granaries and grain bins.
And $500,000 to The Prairie Experience at The Bins in Lakota in Nelson County.
Three grain bin lodging units will be developed and the project will include agritourism experiences.
This grant program was funded by the legislature to promote tourism and attractions in North Dakota.
North Dakota
HHS recognizes May as Foster Care Awareness Month, highlights role of community in supporting children and families
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is recognizing May as Foster Care Awareness Month, a time to highlight the resilience of children involved in the state’s foster care system and the dedication of those who support them. Read the Foster Care Awareness Month proclamation.
On any given day, about 1,050 children are in foster care in North Dakota. More than 700 licensed foster care providers and nearly 200 relative caregivers open their homes to provide stability and support for children until reunification or another permanent plan can be achieved.
This year’s theme, “It Takes All of Us: Caring for Children, Supporting Families and Strengthening Futures,” emphasizes the importance of strong, collaborative communities in ensuring the safety, well-being and long-term success of children. The theme highlights the role of partnerships across organizations, with families at the center of the work.
Everyone involved in the child welfare system plays a critical role in supporting the safety, permanency and well-being of children in care. This includes relatives, foster care providers, public agencies, juvenile court, child welfare professionals, schools, community service providers and other partners working together to support families and promote reunification whenever possible.
“Foster care is a temporary service designed to ensure child safety while supporting families,” said Chelsea Flory, HHS Children and Family Services director. “May is a time to recognize everyone involved in the child welfare system. This year’s theme highlights the importance of all who play a role in engaging with and supporting families. Together, we strengthen connections and help create brighter, more stable futures.”
Individuals interested in becoming licensed foster care providers are encouraged to call 833-FST-HOME (833-378-4663). For information about providing respite or emergency shelter care, contact the Children and Family Services Licensing Unit at 701-328-2322 or email cfslicensing@nd.gov.
North Dakota’s small towns get less attention than they deserve. Mandan keeps the state’s oldest park alive at Fort Abraham Lincoln, where reconstructed earth lodges sit a few minutes from a working farmers’ market. Valley City earns its City of Bridges nickname with a downtown tour that crosses the Sheyenne River eight times. New Salem holds onto its 19th-century Custer Trail story while pointing visitors toward miles of open prairie. Bottineau adds a creamery operating since the 1930s and a giant turtle statue that has somehow become the town mascot. The seven towns below pack more character into a quiet state than most people expect.
Mandan
Mandan’s past is layered in different eras of American history. First, this town was a village for the Mandan tribe; it later became a cavalry fort, then a railroad town, and finally a hub for the region’s farmers and ranchers.
Attractions include the Mandan Heritage Plaza, which houses a wonderful local farmers’ market. Another great attraction is Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, which is the oldest state park in North Dakota. This state park features educational opportunities about the Mandan Native Americans through reconstructed earth lodges. For those of a mind seeking adventure, Huff Hills Ski Area contains some of the best slopes in the state.
Bottineau
Though it does make for a fun stop, there is even more to Bottineau than the giant statue of Tommy the turtle keeping vigil by the roadside. For example, you may want to visit Pride Dairy, the last small-town creamery in all of North Dakota. Named by USA Today as the best ice cream in the state, this family-oriented shop has been servicing its customers since the 1930s. For further culinary options, one may want to visit Marie’s on Main Street; operating as a bistro, fine-dining experience, and cocktail bar all at once, Marie’s is a local favorite. Lastly, excursions to nearby Lake Metigoshe State Park offer hiking trails, fishing holes, and more.
Rugby
Many of Rugby’s best attractions are in its history. The Prairie Village Museum showcases some of the county’s oldest artifacts, and the 1907 Great Northern Railroad Depot gives a great glimpse into the past. Built in red-brick Tudor style, this depot is one of many scattered across the nation to be repurposed and preserved. The Victorian Dress Museum is located in a former church and provides a delightful look into Victorian-era fashion and accessories. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Main Street Boutique is also a local highlight. Here, attendees can shop for everything from clothing to kitchen items.
Valley City
Nicknamed the City of Bridges for a reason, Valley City encourages its visitors to embark on the Valley City Historic Bridges Tour to best appreciate this town’s unique place in history. The many bridges of the tour cross over the Sheyenne River at various points, but none stand out more than the Hi-line Railroad Bridge, which is one of the highest and longest single-track railroad bridges in the country. After this interesting tour, you may want to check out Medicine Wheel Park, located on the grounds of Valley City State University. Scenic and lush, this Park contains 30 acres and a large rock sculpture meant to track Earth’s rotation around the sun.
Speaking of planets: the downtown Valley City State Planetarium makes for a perfect family outing. As of 2025 it has been equipped with a new domed projection system and a 24-foot ceiling.
Lisbon
Lisbon, settled in the heart of the Sheyenne River Valley, has a Main Street lively with restaurants, shopping, and history. Among its best places to eat is the Bronc, a local favorite that combines social atmosphere with delicious meals. Nearby, one can also find the Rustic Hanger, a boutique with clothing, gifts, and home decor that adds to the town’s charm.
As promised, there are plenty of outdoor experiences to enjoy both in Lisbon and the valley in which it is situated. The North Country Trail is a great opportunity for visitors to hike and explore, challenging themselves on a trail that runs from the Sheyenne River National Scenic Byway on the north side of Lisbon and the beautiful Sheyenne River bluffs on the south side.
Dickinson
Speaking of trails to explore, outdoorsy types will also love Dickinson for its proximity to the Crooked Crane Trail, which offers wide-open landscapes and wildlife. Nearby Patterson Lake, too, provides visitors a chance to have a day on the water or enjoy a shoreline stroll.
Also exploring its own nature and history is the Dickinson Museum Center, which (amongst other options) is home to the Badlands Dinosaur Museum – an exciting chance for families to enjoy a deep exploration of an ever-evolving exhibit displaying fossils, minerals, and a public preparation lab. The museum provides an excellent glimpse into prehistoric life in the area and is always working to provide new exhibits and opportunities for all guests.
New Salem
Established in 1883, New Salem’s history is best explored in the Custer Trail Museum. Featuring multiple buildings, this impressive museum contains a church from 1904, two schoolhouses, the Old New Salem depot, a blacksmith shop, and others. Following this, visitors may want to stop by Metro Perk & Market, a local restaurant/bakery and a coveted coffee shop.
There are several options for accommodations should one wish to explore New Salem and its beautiful, expansive prairie fields in more depth. This includes the Metropolitan Hotel and the Arrowhead Inn.
The towns explored on this list are each historic and full of character. North Dakota’s best offerings are found in the walking tour across Valley City’s bridges, in the nature around Lisbon, and in the historic train depots of Rugby. There is much more to North Dakota than can be found on these towns’ streets and in their surroundings, so do not wait: these seven small towns are ready to be visited.
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