Final results being tallied in District 20 races for North Dakota Senate, House

Jun. 15—GRAND FORKS — In the North Dakota District 20 Senate race, Randy Lemm, incumbent state senator, will appear on the ballot in the November election after receiving the majority of votes in the Republican Party primary on June 14 over opponent Robert Fors, also an incumbent senator who was running for reelection. In the House race, incumbents Jared Hagert and Mike Beltz will move forward for the District 20 Republican Party.

The North Dakota Secretary of State's Office called both races around 9:30 p.m.

In the District 20 Republican Senate primary election, with 19 of 19 precincts fully reporting as of 9:20 p.m., Randy Lemm had 73% of the vote and Robert Fors had 26% of the vote. In total, 2,067 votes were cast.

In the District 20 Republican House primary election, with 19 of 19 precincts reporting, Jared Hagert had 38.93% of the vote, followed by Mike Beltz with 38.02% of the vote and Craig Jarolimek with 23% of the vote. In total, 3,519 votes were cast.

Vote totals are unofficial, preliminary results.

Because of legislative redistricting that combined two rural districts, the District 20 Senate primary election has Lemm and Fors, two incumbent state senators from Hillsboro and Larimore, respectively, vying for a single spot on the ballot. The new District 20 stretches from Hillsboro to Forest River, including all of Traill County, rural Grand Forks County and a corner of Walsh County.

In February, Lemm won the District 20 Republican Party's endorsement at its endorsement convention.

In the District 20 House primary, competing for two spots, Beltz and Hagert were incumbent representatives and Jarolimek was a political newcomer. Hagert and Jarolimek were endorsed by the District 20 Republican Party.

Lemm, incumbent state senator and Hillsboro farmer, says with the primary election over, he plans to finish his planting tomorrow.

"It's gratifying to know that I've got support from the people that helped me move on," he said.

As a farmer, Lemm says he will be a strong advocate for agriculture if reelected. He also hopes to lessen property taxes for his constituents in District 20.

Hagert, an Emerado-area farmer, and Beltz, a retired Hillsboro-area farmer, both say infrastructure is a priority if reelected in November.

"We're making sure that we're addressing the issues that need to be addressed in North Dakota though policy, especially the role of communities in infrastructure that's needed for them," Hagert said.

Beltz says workforce, agriculture and taxes are also on his list of priorities if reelected.

"There's no shortage of issues to be concerned about," he said.

The Democratic-NPL has just one Senate and one House candidate on its primary ballot, meaning both Democratic-NPL candidates automatically move forward to the November election. Paul Hanson is running for Senate and Thomas Passa is running for the House.

North Dakota state senators and representatives serve four-year terms. Effective July 1, North Dakota state legislators are compensated $537 per month and $193 per day when in session or during interim meetings.