Republican candidates meet for debate in Fargo

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Four of the five remaining candidates seeking the Republican nomination for North Dakota’s lone house seat met for their penultimate debate in Fargo Friday Morning.

The candidates were asked about a variety of topics, including the ongoing legal issues facing former President Donald Trump.

Julie Fedorchak, Alex Balazs and Rick Becker all voiced their support for the embattled former President, calling lawsuits against him frivolous.

“This is a sham.” Becker said.

“These lawsuits are going to go away. They’re going to be found to be frivolous or they’re not going to have any information.” Balazs said.

“It’s a sham, but it’s also a distraction that the media is pointing to to take people’s minds off the horrible results of Joe Biden.” Fedorchak said.

Cara Mund took issue with the other candidates’ stance.

“Every one of my opponents is a puppet for Trump. This is not a distraction. These cases are not distractions. And as a lawyer, you can’t bring a case as a distraction.” Mund said.

There was also disagreement among the candidates when it came to the issue of voting rights. Candidates were asked if they supported North Dakota’s status as the only state that does not require residents to register to vote.

Mund and Fedorchak supported the state’s voting process, while Balazs and Becker expressed concerns about Democrats being able to vote in the Republican primaries.

“When we have crossover, what it boils down to is we don’t get the candidate that is representing Republicans the way Republicans would have hoped for.” Becker said.

There was also some tension over an issue involving a contract signed by Fedorchak with Summit Carbon Solutions. The contract was for the use of land owned by Fedorchak and her husband that Summit intended to use for CO2 storage.

Fedorchak recused herself from the decision making process with the Public Service Commission, but Mund and Becker say she still advocated for the pipeline from her position as Public Service Commissioner.

“I have a strong record of results, and I have always operated with high integrity and following all the rules and laws. So this is just a phony attack.” Fedorchak said.

“’As utility regulators we see the need for this infrastructure, this pipeline. It delivers reliable service, energy service to people that we all rely on.’ These are her words, her quote, she’s benefitting herself by advocating in this position.” Becker said.

“Now you don’t even want to finish your term that you were elected to by the North Dakota voters. And why is that? Is it because you already got your payday? And now you want to go to the federal level and do more tax credits and more paydays?” Mund asked.

The other Republican candidate, Sharlet Mohr, did not attend the debate. The Republican primary is scheduled for June 11.