MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) – Reactions began coming in Tuesday from those in North Dakota politics to Vice President Kamala Harris’ selection of Gov. Tim Walz, D-MN, as her running mate.

Merrill Piepkorn, North Dakota State Senator and Democratic candidate for Governor, sent out a statement that reads, in part:

“[Walz] is a down-to-earth regular guy who is smart and has made Minnesota an even better place to live under his leadership. He’s shown the country how it can be done. I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about his addition to the national ticket.”

Former North Dakota Democratic U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp posted the following on X:

“Couldn’t be happier that @KamalaHarris selected my friend & neighbor to the East, @Tim_Walz. He’s a champion for rural communities & knows that you shouldn’t have to leave home to get an education, receive care or make a living. Nice that he’s a fellow hot dish aficionado, too.”

Democratic U-S Senate candidate Katrina Christiansen posted this on X:

“Rural America will never be forgotten with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on the Democratic ticket.

Shoutout to my fellow midwesterner on your selection, and let’s bring it home this November!”

On the other side of the aisle, Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-ND, who Christiansen is challenging for the seat, didn’t mince words on social media, saying:

“Harris has doubled down on weird with this choice, unless MN really is in play. Perhaps together the two of them can let every city in America burn to the ground after closing businesses and requiring vaccines. I like Republican chances this year.”

Julie Fedorchak, North Dakota Public Service Commissioner and Republican candidate for North Dakota’s U.S. House seat, released a statement that reads:

“Kamala Harris picking Tim Walz as her Vice-Presidential running mate underscores the direction they want for our country. More of the same failed policies that have Americans suffering under inflated prices for everything and a country and world in turmoil.”

This is a developing story. Your News Leader will update as more reactions come in.

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Regina Evoniuk, 89, entered into rest on July 22, 2024, in California. She was born October 15, 1934, in Dickinson, ND, to Polly (Kramchuk) and Demetro Pedeliski. Regina was the youngest of 10 children; her father passed away within the first year of her birth. As such, she was raised by his older siblings. Later, at age 13, her mother passed away. The family grew up on a homestead north of Belfield, ND. She graduated on May 21, 1953, in Belfield, ND.

On November 8, 1956 she married Michael Evoniuk at St. Josaphat Church in Gorham, ND. Michael was 25, Regina was 22, and both were from Belfield, ND, at the time. In June of 1969, they moved to Longmont, Colorado from Belfield.

Regina and Michael co-owned the Red Owl grocery in Belfield until moving to Longmont. In 1970 she took a position at the First National Bank of Longmont until 1986, then in 1988 she went to work at Francis Street Pharmacy as their postal clerk, retiring in 1993. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

Regina’s love for old-time country music and polka dancing on Sunday afternoons was only surpassed by her love for gardening and growing roses, mums, and others. She was an exceptional bowler and enjoyed playing in the leagues in Dickinson, ND. Earlier in her life, she relished crafts classes, including ceramics, but her true hobby was engaging in daily conversations with community members, always ready with a kind word or a compliment.

Regina was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Michael and her brothers: Anton (Tony) Pedeliski (Elaine Brown), Joseph Pedeliski (Margaret Hahn), James Pedeliski and Metro Pedeliski, her sisters Mildred Dutke (Bill Dutke), Catherine Kubik (Tony Kubik), Rosalie Williams (Raymond Williams), Mary Smith (Leon Smith) and Ann Dutchuk (Nick Dutchuk).

Her survivors are her sons Perry (Christine) Evoniuk of Hidden Hills, CA, and Marco Evoniuk of San Francisco, CA, and her grandchildren Natalie and Michelle Evoniuk.

A visitation for Regina will be held on Thursday, August 15, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Howe Mortuary & Crematory located at 439 Coffman Street, Longmont, CO. Rosary prayers will commence at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church located at 323 Collyer Street, Longmont, CO. Regina will be laid to rest at 11:00 a.m. at Longmont Mountain View Cemetery located at 620 11th Avenue, Longmont, CO. Following the committal service a reception will be held in Benedict Hall at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.howemortuary.com for the Evoniuk family.

GRAND FORKS – Trygve Hammer, the Democratic candidate for North Dakota’s U.S. House seat, told supporters Monday that people across the state are tired of not being listened to.

“We’re meeting people where they are and listening to people,” Hammer said. “They feel like they’re not being listened to; they’re being told what’s going to happen or what needs to happen instead of hearing what their needs are and how do we address them.”

Hammer and his campaign held a meet and greet event Monday at Archives Coffee House near UND. Around 20 people crowded into the building chatting with Hammer about their concerns and getting to know the Democratic candidate for North Dakota’s U.S. House seat.

Hammer is running against

Republican Public Service Commissioner Julie Fedorchak to become North Dakota’s next representative in the U.S. House. The seat is open as incumbent Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-North Dakota, is running to become governor. While a Democrat hasn’t sat in the seat since Earl Pomeroy more than a decade ago, Hammer said people are excited, especially with Vice President Kamala Harris

being named the Democratic nominee for president.

“It’s palpable (the excitement now). When I was making phone calls before, I felt like I was a therapist for all these Democrats, now I’m the cheerleader,” Hammer said. “There are at least three people in this room who think of themselves as Republicans who are voting for me.”

Across the state, voters who typically vote Republican have said they would vote for Hammer. Hammer has said he has heard a of range of issues people have. Those include a federal indictment of former state Sen. Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks, for sex with minors

and alleged violations of release conditions,

the deleted emails from

former State Attorney Wayne Stenehjem

and

state lawmakers being arrested for driving under the influence.

“We’re just hearing this discontent with scandal at the state government level,” Hammer said. “And this feeling that big business can come into the state and want something and (big business is) going to be able to take it from you, and they’re going to roll right over your resistance because no one’s fighting for them.”

People in attendance also expressed their concern for Project 2025, a plan created by the right-wing Heritage Foundation. The plan lays out conservative policy for the next Republican presidential administration and includes calling for the ending or shrinking of programs that support farmers and

getting rid of the U.S. Departments of Education and Homeland Security.

Hammer also touched on his thoughts of Fedorchak — he said he would step whereas she has not.

“When she went to the Republican convention this year, she expected to waltz in there, be coordinated, waltz out with the endorsement — well that didn’t happen,” Hammer said. “When she ran into a little resistance, when the going got a little tough,

she got out of there, she didn’t stay and fight for her support.

I would not not do that. I would not do that to you in Congress.”

Voigt covers government in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks.