5 independents set for November ballot, including Fargo candidate running after incumbent’s death

A retired Fargo-area teacher will campaign alongside Democrats this fall as an independent candidate for state House in District 11. 

Cara Cody-Braun, a former high school Spanish teacher, is seeking the seat held by Rep. Liz Conmy, who died in a plane crash this spring. 

Some Democratic-NPL leaders said they disagreed with state election officials on the process to replace Conmy on the ballot and sought an attorney general’s opinion. Cody-Braun said Monday it was “more practical” to gather signatures from voters in her district to appear on the ballot as an independent.

“I don’t mind the label because I am an independent thinker, but I will definitely be caucusing with the Dems,” Cody-Braun said.

Democrats in District 11, Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, and Dem-NPL House candidate Anastassiya Andrianova, have been supportive of her campaign, she said. Adam Goldwyn, chair of the Dem-NPL Party, is serving the final months of Conmy’s term, but is not running for election.

Cody-Braun said she plans to focus on education issues in the final months of the campaign season.

Democrats seek AG opinion on candidacy of North Dakota lawmaker who died in plane crash

Republican Christine O’Riley will challenge Mathern in the District 11 Senate race. Republican Doug Sharbono, who advanced from the June primary as a write-in candidate, also is running for House.

Meanwhile, two independent candidates filed by Monday’s deadline to run for North Dakota’s U.S. House seat, joining incumbent Republican Rep. Julie Fedorchak and Democrat Trygve Hammer on the ballot. 

Helene Neville of Jamestown, who lost the Democratic nomination to Hammer, and Republican Charles Tuttle of Bismarck will appear on the ballot as independent House candidates. Tuttle, a frequent candidate, most recently lost the June primary for North Dakota superintendent of public instruction. 

In addition, two other independent candidates are running for the state Legislature. 

Jolene Bruce of Horace, who identifies as progressive-leaning and Democratic-aligned, is running for state House in District 27. She was endorsed by the Red River Valley chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. She will challenge Republican incumbent Rep. Greg Stemen and Republican state House candidate Shawn Kessel.

Bruce said a “socialism” label shouldn’t scare North Dakotans.

“It’s a big scary word for people, but what people don’t understand is that Social Security is socialism,” she said. “Just because our government can help make our lives a little bit easier, I’m pretty sure that’s the whole point of governing.”

Andrew Alexis Varvel of Bismarck is running for District 47 House. He will challenge Republican incumbent Rep. Mike Motschenbacher, Republican state House candidate Jon Lee and Dem-NPL House candidates Rosann Jacobs-Fode and Cole Montoya.

Monday was the final day for independent candidates to submit petition signatures to be included on the November general election ballot. The final day to file as a write-in candidate is Oct. 13.

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