North Dakota
North Dakota’s Republican Caucuses: A Pivotal Moment on the Eve of Super Tuesday
On a cold evening in North Dakota, Republicans will gather in a unique political ritual that could shape the trajectory of the 2024 presidential race. In a state known for its rugged independence and lack of voter registration, four contenders, including the formidable former President Donald Trump and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, are set to vie for the hearts and votes of the party faithful. Amidst the quiet anticipation, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, a one-time presidential hopeful himself, prepares to advocate for Trump, signaling the deep alliances and divisions within the party. As the caucus chair Robert Harms suggests, an upset by Haley could send ripples through Super Tuesday’s outcomes, making this more than just a local event but a potential bellwether for national politics.
A Test of Loyalty and Strategy
The caucuses in North Dakota, scheduled for the eve of Super Tuesday, offer a distinct blend of political engagement and strategy. Unlike many states, North Dakota requires no voter registration, only that participants be party members or pledge their affiliation at the caucus sites. This open yet intimate setting could serve as the perfect stage for an underdog’s surprise or reaffirm the stronghold of a frontrunner. With 29 delegates at stake and a 20% vote threshold for delegate allocation, the caucuses are not just a test of popularity but of organizational strength and grassroots support.
Hand-Counted Votes and Historical Context
In a throwback to simpler times, North Dakota’s caucuses will rely on in-person, hand-counted votes, a method that underscores the state’s preference for personal touch and transparency. This approach, along with the state’s unique political landscape, has historically favored candidates like Trump, who has demonstrated significant support in past elections and made notable visits to the state. Yet, as the Democratic-NPL Party conducts its presidential primary almost entirely by mail, the contrast in methodology highlights the diverse approaches to democracy within the state.
The National Implications of a Local Contest
As North Dakota Republicans line up to cast their votes, the outcome of this local contest carries national implications. With Super Tuesday looming, a surprise upset or a decisive victory could shape the narrative and momentum of the presidential race. Governor Burgum’s endorsement of Trump, despite his own brief presidential bid, underscores the complex allegiances within the party and the high stakes involved. As the caucuses unfold, North Dakota not only has the opportunity to assert its political preferences but to influence the broader Republican landscape heading into one of the most pivotal days of the primary season.
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Here’s something North Dakotans can take pride in: North Dakota has the third-highest average IQ in the nation, tying with Vermont at 103.8. That is 3.5 points above the national average.
The state with the highest average is Massachusetts at 104.3 and the state with the lowest average is Mississippi at 94.2.
Ninety-four percent of North Dakotans graduate high school, making it the state with the sixth-highest graduation rate in the nation.
Copyright 2026 KFYR. All rights reserved.
WEST FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Authorities have identified the man killed and the driver involved in a fatal overnight crash in West Fargo.
Jose Rodriguez, 38, of West Fargo, died after being struck by a vehicle early Wednesday morning, according to the North Dakota State Patrol.
The driver, Carly Vizenor, 25, of West Fargo, was not injured. Charges and restraint use remain under investigation.
The crash happened at approximately 2:46 a.m. Wednesday near the intersection of 32nd Avenue South and 9th Street West.
According to the State Patrol, a 2016 Ford Fusion was traveling westbound on 32nd Avenue South when it struck Rodriguez, who was crossing the street approximately 20 to 30 yards east of the 9th Street intersection.
The driver left the scene and returned approximately 10 minutes later.
Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene.
The North Dakota State Patrol, West Fargo Police Department, and West Fargo Fire Department all responded to the crash.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Copyright 2026 KVLY. All rights reserved.
Getty
NDSU could make the CFP in 2026.
Winning has been the standard at North Dakota State for decades, and one college football analyst expects a similar result in the FBS right away.
Brett McMurphy of On3 believes NDSU will run the table 12-0 with a Mountain West Conference championship and make the College Football Playoff. McMurphy projects the Bison to face Oregon in the CFP, the Fargo Forum’s Jeff Kolpack reported.
That would mean the Bison would go on the road to Eugene against a perennial FBS contender, which didn’t go well for the last Group of Six team to play the Ducks. Oregon steamrolled James Madison 51-34 in last season’s CFP before the Ducks took down Texas Tech and lost to eventual national champion Indiana.
It’s not impossible for the Bison to get that far based on Sagarin Ratings and the program’s history of success against FBS teams. The Bison would need to maximize what they can control and to have a few things fall their way.
That said, all of this would be contingent upon the Bison receiving clearance for postseason competition from the NCAA on Thursday. Transitioning teams normally face a two-year postseason ban, and NDSU had been in a similar situation before, with a four-year postseason ban during the move from Division II to the FCS in 2004.
NDSU Looking to Pass JMU Again
In 2016, the JMU interrupted NDSU’s five-year FCS championship run with a playoff upset at the Fargodome.
NDSU then beat JMU in the 2017 season championship to win a sixth title in seven years. The Bison beat JMU again in the FCS championship game again for the 2019 season before the Dukes joined the FBS in 2022.
JMU’s success at the FBS level has resulted in two bowl game appearances and Sun Belt Conference title. Amid the conference crown, the Dukes slipped into the CFP as the ACC went topsy-turvy when a 5-5 Duke Blue Devils team at the time upset Virginia.
JMU made the CFP, and Miami represented the ACC while Notre Dame sat at home despite a 10-2 record and a close early-season loss to the national runner-up Hurricanes. NDSU, meanwhile, had a 12-0 regular season in the FCS and got stunned in the FCS playoffs by Illinois State, the second team ever to win a playoff game in Fargo.
The Bison looked like a program retooling to get back up from a postseason disappointment in January, but February brought the news of NDSU’s long-anticipated move up to the FBS. The Mountain West Conference invited the Bison amid the conference’s restructuring with five teams leaving for the Pac-12.
That made the former FCS titan attractive to the Mountain West, which notably lost former CFP entrant Boise State. Whether or not NDSU can become the Mountain West’s new Boise State or pass JMU as a premiere Group of Six team remains unknown.
Common Opponents Key For Bison
The Bison have the odds stacked against them in 2026 to make the CFP, but it’s not impossible.
NDSU doesn’t have a Power Four opponent, but the Bison can make up for that by margin of victory, especially with any Mountain West contenders that have Power Four opponents during the season.
New Mexico has the biggest Power Four opponent among Mountain West teams with Oklahoma, and UTEP faces Oklahoma and Michigan. San Jose State faces USC, another team with CFP hopes.
NDSU beating New Mexico, UTEP and San Jose State handily will especially help in making a run for the playoff.
Matthew Davis covers the NFL, WNBA and college sports for Heavy.com. As a contributing writer to the StarTribune, he has also covered Minnesota prep sports since 2016. More about Matthew Davis
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