North Dakota Democrats endorse candidates including Trygve Hammer for U.S. House
BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – North Dakota Democrats endorsed Trygve Hammer Saturday to represent the party after a fiery convention speech critical of Republican incumbent Rep. Julie Fedorchak.
Hammer overwhelmingly defeated Democratic-NPL candidates Vern Thompson and Helene Neville to secure the party’s nomination. Hammer, a former Marine and graduate of the Naval Academy, invoked a famous Navy phrase while pledging to stand by North Dakotans.
“I will not give up the ship and I believe that we will win,” Hammer said during his convention speech.
Hammer criticized Fedorchak repeatedly over what he sees as failures to stand up to President Donald Trump and Republican policies, such as tariffs and health care cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
He was also critical of Fedorchak’s vote against an Iran war powers resolution that failed to pass the U.S. House this week, and said he worries that his children and their spouses serving in the military are not being represented.
Hammer said the Trump-era phrase of “peace through strength” is not correct because “strength isn’t violence.”
“Our strength has always been in our alliances,” he said.
North Dakota Democrats rallied for a turnaround Saturday, endorsing several candidates for statewide office to take on Republicans in November.
The Democratic-NPL Party endorsed state Sen. Ryan Braunberger of Fargo for secretary of state, Scot Kelsh of Fargo and John Pederson of Mayville for Public Service Commission and Tim Lamb of Grand Forks for attorney general. The party also issued a letter of support for Tracy Foss of Hatton for superintendent of public instruction.
Democrats have 429 delegates participating, which Party Chair Adam Goldwyn said is the most since 2018. The party has 49 legislative candidates so far, but Goldwyn challenged attendees to field candidates in districts that don’t yet have anyone running.
“The North Dakota Democratic-NPL party has one goal: contest every single election up and down the ballot all across the state,” Goldwyn said.
Republicans hold a supermajority in the Legislature and all the statewide elected offices.
Braunberger, who has represented Fargo in the state Senate since 2023, is seeking to challenge Republican incumbent Michael Howe for secretary of state. Braunberger said he decided to run because he wants to boost public trust in elections.
