Three candidates vying for North Dakota’s U.S. House seat articulated their priorities during a debate hosted Thursday by Prairie Public, while also critiquing the Republican incumbent’s absence. Democratic-NPL U.S. House candidate Trygve Hammer, along with independent candidates Helene Neville and Charles Tuttle, sought to present their cases to voters and highlight their differing viewpoints on various issues.
Republican incumbent Rep. Julie Fedorchak did not attend the debate. In a statement, Fedorchak indicated that she had agreed to a one-hour debate with Hammer but withdrew after Prairie Public added two additional candidates and extended the debate time to 90 minutes. Prairie Public CEO John Harris stated that the station invites all qualified candidates on the ballot, regardless of party affiliation, which led to the inclusion of Neville and Tuttle in the already-scheduled debate.
Hammer, of Minot, who is challenging Fedorchak for a second time, stated that concerns about data centers and expanding executive authority, which he raised two years prior on the same debate stage, have since worsened. He asserted that his goal is to reduce prices and improve the lives of everyday North Dakotans, not solely for the benefit of large donors and corporations. Hammer indicated that the discourse surrounding data centers reflects a public distrust concerning technology companies, large corporations, and billionaires. He expressed a desire for more transparency measures, believing these would prevent developers from what he described as "rolling over" small towns and individuals. Hammer also advocated for congressional action to regulate the artificial intelligence economy, ensuring it does not negatively impact working people.
Helene Neville, of Jamestown, an independent candidate, emphasized that her top priority, if elected, would be to push for age and term limits for members of Congress. She argued that older senators may lack relevance to current issues. Neville suggested that data centers should be required to have remediation plans in place for their sites, should those facilities eventually become obsolete. She described herself as an independent, operating "for the people, not politics," and emphasized a non-partisan approach to public service, drawing on her experience as an emergency room nurse. Neville also disputed some claims made during the debate regarding COVID-19, noting her experience in hospitals where many people died before vaccines were available.
Charles Tuttle, of Bismarck, also an independent candidate, stated that he would work to make cuts to the Department of Government Efficiency permanent if elected. Tuttle expressed support for former President Donald Trump and advocated for his policies to be advanced through Congress. Regarding data centers, Tuttle suggested they would likely become obsolete within five to ten years and noted a lack of long-term planning for such facilities. He also voiced concerns that increased use of AI and data could lead to greater government surveillance. Tuttle, who identifies as the sole Republican in the U.S. House race running as an independent, criticized Fedorchak for not seeking the Republican endorsement at the state convention, noting that other Republican incumbents also bypassed the endorsement process this year.
The candidates also discussed their differing views on the Iran war's impact on oil prices. Tuttle maintained that Iran poses a threat and its nuclear program should be addressed, while criticizing oil companies for high prices. Hammer, conversely, attributed the rise in oil prices to the conflict's outset and called for Congress to reclaim its authority to end the war.
Hammer has made two previous unsuccessful attempts at statewide office, including a loss to Fedorchak in the U.S. House race with 30% of the vote in 2024, and a bid for the Public Service Commission in 2022. Tuttle, a frequent political candidate in North Dakota, most recently lost the June primary for state superintendent of public instruction and has previously run for secretary of state in 2022, superintendent of public instruction in 2020, and U.S. House in 2018. Neville had not sought elected office prior to this year, though she did seek the Democratic-NPL endorsement and lost to Hammer. Prairie Public News Director Dave Thompson moderated the debate. Rep. Fedorchak and Hammer are scheduled to participate in another debate, to be released by the Forum Communications Plain Talk podcast at 4 p.m. on October 14.
