North Dakota Republicans on the fence about state convention amid party’s shift to the right

  • Attorney General Drew Wrigley speaks during the NDGOP District 32 meeting on Feb. 2, 2026, in Bismarck. Wrigley and other Republican state office-holders said they are undecided about attending the state party convention and are collecting signatures to appear on the ballot. Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor
    Attorney General Drew Wrigley speaks during the NDGOP District 32 meeting on Feb. 2, 2026, in Bismarck. Wrigley and other Republican state office-holders said they are undecided about attending the state party convention and are collecting signatures to appear on the ballot. Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor

    Incumbent state officials gathering signatures to appear on ballot

    Campaign season for North Dakota Republican incumbents has a different feel this year, with statewide office holders collecting signatures to appear on the ballot rather than relying on a state party endorsement.

    The shift comes two years after the party supported candidates for U.S. House and state school superintendent who lost in …