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Julie Fedorchak

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Julie Fedorchak
Member-elect of the U.S. House of Representatives
from North Dakota's at-large district
Assuming office
January 3, 2025
SucceedingKelly Armstrong
Member of the North Dakota Public Service Commission
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 31, 2012
GovernorJack Dalrymple
Doug Burgum
Kelly Armstrong
Preceded byKevin Cramer
Personal details
Born
Julie Ann Liffrig

(1968-09-28) September 28, 1968 (age 56)
Williston, North Dakota, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMichael Fedorchak
Children3
EducationUniversity of North Dakota (BA)
WebsiteCampaign website

Julie Ann Fedorchak[1] (née Liffrig;[2] born September 28, 1968) is an American politician who is the U.S. Representative-elect for North Dakota's at-large congressional district. She currently serves as a member of the North Dakota Public Service Commission.[3] She was appointed to the commission by Governor Jack Dalrymple in December 2012[4] and easily won reelection to that position three times: to a two-year term in 2014, to a six-year term in 2016, and to another six-year term in 2022.[5][6]

Background

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Fedorchak was born in Williston, North Dakota in 1968.[7] She is the youngest of 8 to parents Duane and Doris Liffrig. Duane previously served as Highway Commissioner to former Governor of North Dakota Allen Olson.[8]

Fedorchak graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.[9] She later served as communications director for Governor Ed Schafer before becoming a columnist for the Bismarck Tribune and doing numerous other media work.[10]

Fedorchak has also served on numerous boards.[11]

Public Service Commission

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In December 2012, Governor Jack Dalrymple appointed Fedorchak to the North Dakota Public Service Commission after a seat opened. She later won an election to hold the seat in 2014.[12] Shortly after being fully elected to the commission, Fedorchak was also swiftly elected to chair the commission for a two-year term.[13]

Fedorchak was later re-elected in 2016 and in 2022 by wide margins.[14]

Fedorchak has overseen and assisted the commission in numerous projects and investments while also offering transparent information.[15]

U.S. House of Representatives

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2024 Congressional election

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In February 2024, Fedorchak announced her entry into the race for North Dakota's open U.S. House seat.[16][17]

Fedorchak cited matters such as abortion, energy, and agriculture as issues she would focus on as a representative.[18] Her main primary opponents were former state Representative Rick Becker, farmer Alex Balazs, activist Sharlet Mohr, and Miss America 2018 Cara Mund for the Republican nomination.[19][20][21]

Fedorchak received the most state level endorsements of any candidate in the race, including over 50 legislators, U.S. Senator John Hoeven, Governor Doug Burgum, and former President Donald Trump.[22][23]

During the NDGOP endorsement convention, candidate Rick Becker encouraged his supporters to write in spoiler ballots to prevent an endorsement from going through.[24][25] After 2 failed ballots, Fedorchak withdrew from the endorsement to allow the convention to continue, giving Alex Balazs the endorsment.[26]

In the June 11 primary, Fedorchak won the Republican nomination with 46% of the vote.[27] She would face Democrat Trygve Hammer in the general election.[28] Shortly after the primary, Fedorchak's campaign filed an FEC complaint regarding election interference after a mass of texts and emails were sent falsely stating she had dropped out of the race on the day of the election.[29][30][31]

Fedorchak defeated Hammer in the election 69% to 30%, making her the first woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from North Dakota.[32][33] She is also the first Republican woman elected to Congress from North Dakota and the first woman to represent North Dakota in Congress since Heidi Heitkamp, who served in the U.S. Senate from 2013 to 2019.[34]

Personal life

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Fedorchak has had 3 children with her husband, Michael Fedorchak. She enjoys being active, reading, and traveling in her free time.[9] They have been members of Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck for 30 years.[35]

Fedorchak's father, Duane, suffers from Alzheimer's disease.[36]

Electoral history

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North Dakota Public Service Commissioner special election, 2014[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Julie Fedorchak 156,596 65.99
Democratic–NPL Tyler Axness 80,319 33.84
Write-in 401 0.17
Total votes 237,316 100.00
North Dakota Public Service Commissioner election, 2016[38]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Julie Fedorchak 218,961 68.76
Democratic–NPL Marlo Hunte-Beaubrun 72,028 22.62
Libertarian Thomas Skadeland 26,913 8.45
Write-in 563 0.18
Total votes 318,465 100.00
North Dakota Public Service Commissioner election, 2022[38]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Julie Fedorchak 165,183 71.3
Democratic–NPL Melanie Moniz 66,196 28.57
Write-in 311 0.13
Total votes 231,690 100.00
North Dakota At-Large Congressional District Republican Primary, 2024[39]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Julie Fedorchak 43,137 45.90
Republican Rick Becker 27,771 29.57
Republican Cara Mund 18,343 19.53
Republican Alexander C. Balazs 3,758 4.00
Republican Sharlet Mohr 795 0.35
Write-in 109 0.12
Total votes 93,913 100.00
2024 United States House of Representatives election in North Dakota[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Julie Fedorchak 249,101 69.24% +7.04%
Democratic–NPL Trygve Hammer 109,231 30.36% N/A
Write-in 1,455 0.40% +0.17%
Total votes 359,787 100.00% N/A

References

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  1. ^ "Rep. Julie Fedorchak - R North Dakota, At-large - Biography". LegiStorm. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  2. ^ "About Julie Fedorchak for US Congress".
  3. ^ "Commissioner Julie Fedorchak". Public Service Commission, North Dakota. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  4. ^ Smith, Nick (November 30, 2012). "Fedorchak named to PSC". Bismarck Tribune. Lee Enterprises. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  5. ^ Smith, Nick (January 6, 2016). "Julie Fedorchak announces 2016 campaign". Bismarck Tribune. Lee Enterprises. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  6. ^ Miller, Jr., James B. (November 8, 2022). "Incumbents retain seats in ND Public Service Commission races". The Dickinson Press.
  7. ^ Howe, Michael, ed. (November 2023). "Executive Branch". North Dakota Blue Book 2023-2025. Bismarck, North Dakota: North Dakota Department of State. p. 382. Retrieved August 19, 2024 – via State Historical Society of North Dakota.
  8. ^ "Kathleen Wrigley: What You Need to Know About Julie Fedorchak – Say Anything".
  9. ^ a b "Vote Smart | Facts For All". Vote Smart. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  10. ^ "About Julie Fedorchak for US Congress". Julie Fedorchak. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  11. ^ "Commissioner, North Dakota Public Service Commission | Aspen Ideas". Aspen Ideas Festival. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  12. ^ "Fedorchak launches bid to stay on Public Service Commission". Grand Forks Herald. November 2, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  13. ^ "Fedorchak to chair ND Public Service Commission". InForum. December 18, 2014. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  14. ^ "Julie Fedorchak". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  15. ^ "Commissioner Julie Fedorchak: Public Service Commission, North Dakota". www.psc.nd.gov. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  16. ^ Gick, Justin (February 19, 2024). "Julie Fedorchak discusses bid for US House". KFYR-TV.
  17. ^ Achterling, Michael (February 15, 2024). "Fedorchak enters North Dakota US House race against 2 Republican challengers". North Dakota Monitor.
  18. ^ "Fedorchak campaigns in Dickinson, addresses issues and endorses Trump". Dickinson Press. March 5, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  19. ^ "Former state Rep. Rick Becker seeks North Dakota's only US House seat". AP News. January 22, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  20. ^ "Former state senator announces run for North Dakota's lone US House seat". AP News. January 29, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  21. ^ FULTON, JACOB (March 26, 2024). "Former fed employee Alex Balazs wants to bring his experience to Washington through US House seat". The Bismarck Tribune. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  22. ^ "Sen. John Hoeven endorses Julie Fedorchak for North Dakota's U.S. House seat". Grand Forks Herald. April 3, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  23. ^ "Port: House candidate Julie Fedorchak wins the battle of legislative endorsements". InForum. March 13, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  24. ^ "What caused a deadlock for the North Dakota Republican endorsement for US House?". InForum. April 10, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  25. ^ Weiand, Zachary (April 7, 2024). "Tensions rise at NDGOP convention following protest votes from delegates". Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  26. ^ Skurzewski, Joe (April 7, 2024). "Alex Balazs awarded ND GOP endorsement for House after Fedorchak withdraws, following pair of failed votes". Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  27. ^ "North Dakota At-Large Congressional District Primary Election Results". The New York Times. June 11, 2024. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  28. ^ Steinhauser, Paul (June 11, 2024). "Trygve Hammer wins Democratic congressional primary in North Dakota". Fox News. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  29. ^ "Julie Fedorchak's campaign files complaints with FEC and FCC for alleged election interference and fraud". Grand Forks Herald. June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  30. ^ STEURER, MARY (June 18, 2024). "Fedorchak files federal election complaints over text messages; alleges fraud, election interference". The Bismarck Tribune. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  31. ^ "Attorney files federal complaint following deceptive Julie Fedorchak message". KX NEWS. June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  32. ^ https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/11/05/us/elections/results-north-dakota-us-house-at-large.html
  33. ^ https://www.kfyrtv.com/2024/11/06/fedorchak-wins-will-become-states-first-woman-represent-north-dakotas-at-large-congressional-district/
  34. ^ Rubin, April (November 5, 2024). "North Dakota sends first woman to U.S. House, Mississippi still hasn't". Axios. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  35. ^ https://fedorchaknd.com/about/
  36. ^ "Kathleen Wrigley: What You Need To Know About Julie Fedorchak – Say Anything". www.sayanythingblog.com. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  37. ^ "Official Results General Election - November 4, 2014". North Dakota Voting Information & Central Election Systems. North Dakota Secretary of State. November 4, 2014. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  38. ^ a b "Official Results 2022 General Election". North Dakota Voting Information & Central Election Systems. North Dakota Secretary of State. November 8, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  39. ^ "Official Results 2024 General Election". North Dakota Voting Information & Central Election Systems. North Dakota Secretary of State. June 11, 2024. Archived from the original on June 12, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  40. ^ "Official (without recounts) 2024 General Election Results". Vote.nd.gov. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
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Political offices
Preceded by Member of the North Dakota Public Service Commission
2012–present 		Succeeded by
TBD
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member from North Dakota's at-large congressional district
Taking office 2025 		Elect
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