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Rick Becker returns to campaign activities following family emergency

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Rick Becker returns to campaign activities following family emergency


BISMARCK, N.D. (KMOT) – Rick Becker is returning to the campaign trail for North Dakota’s U.S. House seat following a family emergency.

On Friday, Becker posted on his social media pages that he was briefly pausing campaign events to be with his family.

Becker posted Monday that his son was injured in a skateboarding accident, but had been discharged from the hospital and is recovering.

He is one of five candidates seeking the GOP nomination for U.S. House including Public Service Commissioner Julie Fedorchak, veteran Alex Balazs, former Miss America Cara Mund, and Williston resident Sharlet Mohr.

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Previous Coverage: Citing family emergency, Rick Becker briefly pausing campaign events



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North Dakota

North Dakota's new congressional age limits law could trigger a federal legal review

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North Dakota's new congressional age limits law could trigger a federal legal review


A newly passed North Dakota law could give the U.S. Supreme Court an opportunity to revisit restrictions on who can run for federal office, a legal expert says.

North Dakotans voted Tuesday, June 11 to make it illegal for anyone to be elected or appointed to represent the state in Congress if they’d turn 81 before the end of their term.

The measure passed with nearly 61% approval from voters, according to unofficial results from the North Dakota Secretary of State’s Office.

Despite the amendment’s clear popularity with North Dakota voters, officials are expecting it to trigger a legal battle. A committee of state legislators estimated in April that the measure would take roughly $1 million to defend in court if passed.

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Election worker Mariah Madsen hands over a blank ballot to a voter on Election Day at El Zagal Shrine in Fargo on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. A measure to create an upper age limit for the state’s Congressional delegation passed by just under 61% during last week’s primary.

Alyssa Goelzer / The Forum

State leaders have said the law may conflict with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling from 1995 that found states cannot restrict who can run for federal office.

Justices cited this same case — U.S. Term Limits v. Thornton — in March when they voted unanimously that states could not disqualify former President Trump from appearing on election ballots.

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If there is a lawsuit against North Dakota’s age limits measure, and it does make it to the Supreme Court, there’s no guarantee justices will continue to affirm that precedent. The high court could always decide to rethink its 1995 ruling, said Michael Thorning, director of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Structural Democracy Project.

“The current court has demonstrated a willingness, I think, to review current precedent and overturn it,” Thorning said.

He pointed out only one current justice was on the bench back when the 1995 case was decided: Clarence Thomas.

Notably, Thomas was against the ruling. He authored a dissenting opinion joined by fellow conservatives Chief Justice William Rehnquist and Justice Antonin Scalia, as well as Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, a moderate.

“Nothing in the Constitution deprives the people of each State of the power to prescribe eligibility requirements for the candidates who seek to represent them in Congress,” Thomas wrote in the opinion.

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Overall, it’s statistically unlikely that the Supreme Court will hear the case. The court takes up only a tiny fraction of cases they’re petitioned to review.

Jared Hendrix, who led the charge to get the measure on the ballot, said he would support the court overturning the 1995 ruling.

“I do believe the (Thornton) case was very flawed in its reasoning,” Hendrix said.

Hendrix has said the measure is a way for voters to ensure that congressional delegates are mentally and physically fit for the job, and that they are in touch with the needs of their constituents.

The measure is especially timely considering some of the nation’s most visible politicians are also some of its most aged, Hendrix has said.

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President Joe Biden, 81, and former President Donald Trump, 78, are the oldest and third-oldest American presidents ever, respectively. The current average age of Congress is also one of the oldest in the nation’s history, according to the Pew Research Center.

Hendrix has disputed lawmakers’ estimate that the measure could cost the state $1 million in legal fees, calling the figure “inflated.”

In order for the Supreme Court to weigh in on the law, someone would first have to sue the state over the measure.

Not just anyone would have standing to bring such a case. To have the right to fight a law in court, plaintiffs generally have to prove the law harms them in some way.

One example might be a candidate who is barred from seeking office under the policy, Thorning said.

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None of North Dakota’s current D.C. delegation — or anyone in the state currently seeking election to Congress — is near age 81. The state’s oldest member of Congress, U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, is 67.

The 1995 Supreme Court case, which struck down an Arkansas congressional term limits law, stemmed from lawsuits originally filed by a private citizen, the League of Women Voters and a U.S. representative.

What would happen if the Supreme Court overturned the 1995 term limits case? States would have much greater authority to gatekeep who could run for federal office, Thorning said. This wouldn’t be limited to age.

“Would it be allowable, then, for the state, for instance, to say that members of Congress can only be elected from certain counties within their state, or certain cities, or only ones that have met certain educational qualifications?” he asked.

States would still have to comply with the 14th Amendment, he noted, which would prevent states from barring someone from running for Congress based on race or gender, for instance.

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What if the Supreme Court declines to take the case, or upholds its 1995 ruling?

Congress could vote to amend the U.S. Constitution to set a nationwide age limit on elected officials.

Hypothetically, state legislatures could also bypass Congress by passing resolutions calling for the amendment to be adopted through a constitutional convention. According to U.S. Term Limits’ website, some states have already passed such resolutions. They would need a total of 34 in order to trigger a convention. There’s only ever been one U.S. Constitutional Convention, which took place in 1787.

This story was originally published on NorthDakotaMonitor.com

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This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here.





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Letter: ND senators should support AADAPT Act

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Letter: ND senators should support AADAPT Act


Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating condition that affects millions of Americans, both directly and indirectly, by placing an enormous emotional and financial burden on individuals and families. This is particularly hard for those of us who live in states like North Dakota, where needed services may be a long drive away.

I know firsthand how Alzheimer’s greatly affected our family when my grandfather was diagnosed. He was my hero and to watch his memory of my family and myself slowly deteriorate was the hardest thing. To honor his legacy, I served as an Alzheimer’s board member for the MN-ND Chapter of Alzheimer’s for six years. My fight however isn’t over, I will continue to advocate and serve as a volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association the rest of my life. I fight to find a cure for this disease that that took my grandfather and has impacted so many families in North Dakota.

Unfortunately for many people, it often takes a long time to get a diagnosis of dementia, as many primary care providers do not receive enough training. In fact, nearly half of doctors say they are uncomfortable making a diagnosis. This is a particular problem for those of us in rural America where it can be hard to get a second opinion.

That is why I am asking Senators Cramer and Hoeven to cosponsor the AADAPT Act (S. 4276) to help fund needed training for care providers to better understand detection, diagnosis, care, and treatment, and importantly, allow the program to expand its reach in rural and underserved communities.

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If your loved one is diagnosed with dementia, The Alzheimer’s Association MN-ND offers free classes on Alzheimer’s and dementia, and support groups for people impacted. Visit alz.org/mnnd or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900 for support.



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Photos from the First Day of the 3rd Annual North Dakota Renaissance Faire

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Photos from the First Day of the 3rd Annual North Dakota Renaissance Faire


 The 3rd Annual Original North Dakota Renaissance Faire opened on Saturday, June 15 at the North Dakota Horse Park. Upcoming event dates are June 22-23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Poppy the Fairy at the 3rd Annual North Dakota Renaissance Faire at the North Dakota Horse Park on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Chris Flynn / The Forum

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Poppy the Fairy at the 3rd Annual North Dakota Renaissance Faire at the North Dakota Horse Park on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Chris Flynn / The Forum

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Farrow the Wanderer plays music at the the 3rd Annual North Dakota Renaissance Faire was held at the North Dakota Horse Park on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Chris Flynn / The Forum

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Tom Schrampfer is one of the performers at the 3rd Annual North Dakota Renaissance Faire at the North Dakota Horse Park on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Chris Flynn / The Forum

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Shane and Sophia Blowers find some shade at the 3rd Annual North Dakota Renaissance Faire at the North Dakota Horse Park on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Chris Flynn / The Forum

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The 3rd Annual North Dakota Renaissance Faire at the North Dakota Horse Park on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Chris Flynn / The Forum

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The 3rd Annual North Dakota Renaissance Faire at the North Dakota Horse Park on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Chris Flynn / The Forum

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Mars Ness-Ludwig dressed a viking at the 3rd Annual North Dakota Renaissance Faire at the North Dakota Horse Park on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Chris Flynn / The Forum

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Jeff Hett dressed as a woodsman for the North Dakota Renaissance Faire at the North Dakota Horse Park on Saturday, June 15, 2024. The event continues from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday and June 22 and 23.

Chris Flynn / The Forum

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A joust at the 3rd Annual North Dakota Renaissance Faire at the North Dakota Horse Park on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Chris Flynn / The Forum

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Nikki Caulfield as Italian Queen Caterina watches the joust at the 3rd Annual North Dakota Renaissance Faire at the North Dakota Horse Park on Saturday, June 15, 2024. The event continues from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday and June 22 and 23.

Chris Flynn / The Forum

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The Tortuga Twins perform at the 3rd Annual North Dakota Renaissance Faire at the North Dakota Horse Park on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Chris Flynn / The Forum

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Archer, 2, wielding a sword at the 3rd Annual North Dakota Renaissance Faire at the North Dakota Horse Park on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Chris Flynn / The Forum

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Nick Bruggerman and his friend, Hogarth the Iron Giant at the 3rd Annual North Dakota Renaissance Faire at the North Dakota Horse Park on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Chris Flynn / The Forum

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Chris Flynn

Chris Flynn is an audio/visual journalist at The Forum. He graduated with a bachelor’s in online journalism from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Flynn has worked at Forum Communications since 2008. Reach him at cflynn@forumcomm.com or 701-451-5773.





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