North Dakota sends Fedorchak back to DC

North Dakota voters have given U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak a second term in Congress.

Fedorchak was projected to win Tuesday night in a political rematch against Democratic-NPL U.S. House candidate Trygve Hammer, according to The Associated Press.

The Associated Press called North Dakota’s U.S. House race at 8:56 p.m. with Fedorchak leading 60% to Hammer’s 34% in early results.

In 2024, Fedorchak became the first woman elected to represent North Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives.

After voting in Mandan on Election Day, Fedorchak said she would continue to push for conservative solutions to the nation’s problems even if Democrats take control of the U.S. House.

“I will be doing that in a bipartisan way, which is not all that different than what I have been doing the entire time I’ve been there,” Fedorchak said. “I have no trouble reaching across the aisle.”

On the campaign trail, Fedorchak and Hammer differed on their support for the Iran war, how to address the $40 trillion national debt and their stances on new Medicaid work requirements that will be implemented next year. 

Fedorchak campaigned on supporting President Donald Trump, including promoting energy development, backing the war with Iran and securing the border.

Hammer campaigned on holding the Trump administration accountable for its actions, asserting Congress’ power over tariffs, making healthcare more affordable and fixing Social Security insolvency. He also promoted tax policies that would ensure wealthy individuals and companies pay their fair share.

“We did everything we could. You win some and you lose some, and we’re just trying to make progress each time,” Hammer told the North Dakota Monitor Tuesday night.

Hammer said Fedorchak’s second term will be different with Democrats likely in the majority in Congress.

“Congresswoman Fedorchak can go there and continue to be a rubber stamp for Donald Trump, and it won’t make any difference because she’ll be in a vast minority,” Hammer said.

Fedorchak touted the success of the 2025 budget reconciliation bill, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, for delivering no taxes on tips or overtime and providing a new tax deduction aimed at seniors. 

Fedorchak co-sponsored the Stop Insider Trading Act during her first term, which would ban members of Congress from purchasing stocks while in office. She also co-sponsored and voted in support of the SAVE America Act, a bill that alters how Americans register to vote.

She did not participate in an in-person, public town hall during her first term in office but held a series of virtual tele-town hall events that featured constituents asking her questions. Fedorchak said the online events provided a larger forum for North Dakotans across the state to participate.

While Congress was on an August break, Fedorchak organized roundtable discussions in North Dakota with ag industry leaders on ethanol and trade policies.

She took issue with Trump’s strategy to import foreign beef as a way to combat inflation but also emphasized getting better trade deals to benefit ag producers. 

The House in mid-September went on a seven-week campaign break. It spent less than two weeks in session during August and September. 

Fedorchak did not pursue the North Dakota Republican Party endorsement at its state convention in Minot for her reelection bid this year and instead gained primary ballot access through petition signatures. She defeated NDGOP-endorsed candidate Alex Balazs in the June primary with 73% voter support. President Trump endorsed her reelection bid.

Prior to her time in Congress, Fedorchak served on the North Dakota Public Service Commission beginning in 2013 after being appointed to the position by Gov. Jack Dalrymple. 

Hammer received the Dem-NPL endorsement over Vern Thompson and Helene Neville. 

Hammer graduated from the Naval Academy and became a Marine helicopter pilot. He deployed to Iraq in 2003 as a platoon commander. After his service ended, he held a series of jobs that included rig work in the Bakken oil field, a freight train conductor and science teacher in Granville.     

Hammer lost a bid to join the North Dakota Public Service Commission in 2022 and a race for a state House seat in 2020.

Independent candidates Helene Neville and Republican-aligned independent candidate Charles Tuttle also ran for U.S. House. Neville had about 2% and Tuttle had about 4% of votes in early results.

This story was updated with reaction from Trygve Hammer and early results for independent candidates.

North Dakota Monitor reporter Michael Achterling can be reached at [email protected].