North Dakota voters are casting ballots Tuesday in the state's at-large U.S. House race, with freshman Republican Rep. Julie Fedorchak seeking a second term against Democratic challenger Trygve Hammer, a teacher and military veteran.
Fedorchak, a former state public service commissioner, won the seat in 2024 after Rep. Kelly Armstrong vacated it to run for governor. She has aligned closely with House Republican leadership and focused on energy policy and regulatory rollbacks. Hammer, a political newcomer, has emphasized education funding, rural healthcare access, and what he calls a need for new voices in Washington.
North Dakota is among the most reliably Republican states in the country. Donald Trump carried it by more than 30 points in 2020 and 2024, and the GOP has held the at-large House seat for over a decade. But Democrats have pointed to recent special election overperformances in other red states as a sign of potential shifts, even if a North Dakota upset remains a long shot.
Polls close at 8 p.m. Eastern Time for most of the state, with a portion in the Central Time Zone closing at 9 p.m. EST. Decision Desk HQ will provide live results as they come in. For a broader look at the night's key races, see our hour-by-hour guide to election night results.
The race is one of several House contests being watched for signs of national momentum. While North Dakota's outcome is not expected to determine control of the chamber, the margin could offer clues about rural voter turnout and enthusiasm. Other states with competitive or notable House races include Colorado's key battlegrounds and California's closely watched districts.
Fedorchak has campaigned on her record in Congress, including votes to expand domestic energy production and cut federal spending. She has also highlighted her work on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Hammer, meanwhile, has criticized Fedorchak for what he describes as a lack of attention to local issues like school funding and healthcare shortages in rural communities.
"North Dakotans deserve a representative who shows up and listens, not one who votes the party line," Hammer said at a recent campaign stop in Fargo.
Fedorchak's campaign has dismissed Hammer's bid as out of step with the state's conservative lean. "Julie has delivered for North Dakota, and voters know it," a campaign spokesperson said. "They'll send her back to Washington to keep fighting for our values."
Early voting and absentee ballots have already been cast in large numbers, according to state election officials. Turnout is expected to be robust for a midterm cycle, though it may not match presidential-year levels. For a look at other bellwether races that could signal national trends, see our early House bellwethers to watch.
As results come in, the focus will be on whether Hammer can cut into Fedorchak's margins in urban areas like Fargo and Grand Forks, and whether Fedorchak can run up the score in rural counties. Even a closer-than-expected finish could prompt questions about Republican enthusiasm in deep-red states. Meanwhile, attention will also turn to how the midterms shape the 2028 White House field.
Decision Desk HQ will update live results below as they become available. Check back for the latest vote counts and analysis.
