On June 11, North Dakota held its primary elections. From city commissions to school boards and county seats, voters cast their ballots to fill crucial roles that will lead our community. This comprehensive overview highlights key contests and candidates emerging from the recent primaries, poised to shape the future landscape of Cass County politics. This article offers an overview of recent and upcoming Cass County elections and directs you to additional information on candidates and races.

Fargo City Commission  

The City Commission consists of a mayor and four commissioners, all elected to four-year terms. This election cycle, there were two open seats in the Fargo City Commission election. Voters re-elected incumbent City Commissioner John Strand and elected newcomer and former news anchor Michelle Turnberg, unseating current City Commissioner Arlette Preston. Strand received 20% of the votes and Turnberg received 21% in Fargo’s approval voting system, where voters can vote for as many candidates as they approve of.  

West Fargo City Commission 

The West Fargo City Commission is comprised of a mayor and four commissioners, all elected to four-year terms. This election cycle, two seats were open on the commission, both of which were filled by newcomers Amy Zundel and Rory Jorgenson. Zundel secured 29% of the vote, and Jorgensen received 26%, replacing retiring members Mark Simmons and Mandy George, who did not seek re-election. 

Horace City Council  

The Horace City Council consists of a mayor and four council members, all elected to four-year terms. In this election cycle, the mayor and two city council positions were up for election. One council seat went to incumbent Naomi Burkland with 32% of the vote, while the other went to newcomer Rachel Dwyer with 31%. Dwyer will replace Jeff Trudeau, who ran unopposed for mayor and earned 87% of the vote. 

Cass County Commission  

The County Commission is comprised of five commissioners elected to four-year terms. Each commissioner represents a population district of the county, but all residents of Cass County can vote for these members. There are three open seats this election cycle, to be filled in the general election in November. Former state senator Tim Flakoll ran unopposed for the District 1 seat, and incumbent James Kapitan ran unopposed for the District 3 seat. In the District 5 race, the two top contenders from the primary will face-off in November for the seat. Joel Vettel secured 58.9% of the vote and Keith Ghodes secured 22.8%. 

Fargo School Board 

The Fargo School Board is comprised of 9 members, serving three-year terms. This election cycle, there were four open seats on the board. The only incumbent re-elected was Nikkie Gullickson, who received 12.3% of the vote. The newcomers are Kristin Nelson (16%), Allie Ollenburger (14%) and Jason Nelson (12.9%). They will replace Jim Jonhson and Dr. Tracie Newman, who did not seek re-election, and Seth Holden who was running as an incumbent.  

Fargo Park Board 

The Fargo Park District is governed by a board of five commissioners, elected to four-year terms. This election cycle there were two open seats. Incumbent Jerry Rostad secured 38% of the vote, and newcomer Zoe Absey received 33%. Current Commissioner Dawn Morgan did not seek reelection. 

West Fargo School Board  

The West Fargo School Board is comprised of seven members, serving four-year terms. There were three seats open this election cycle. Incumbents Patti Stedman, Trisha Page and Dan Schaeffer were all re-elected. 

West Fargo Park Board

The West Fargo Park Board consists of 5 commissioners, with 2 open seats in this election. Ryan Gelner was re-elected with 85.42% of the vote, while Dan Seymor secured election through write-in votes with 14.58%. 

As we reflect on the results of the June 11 primary elections, it's clear that these newly elected leaders will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Cass County. From city commissions to school boards and county seats, each position holds significant influence over the direction of our community. Staying informed about these elections is essential for all citizens, ensuring that we are active participants in our local governance.

The Chamber is committed to keeping our members informed, and we encourage you to stay engaged and continue to follow these developments as we approach the general election in November. Your voice matters, and together, we can help guide our community towards a prosperous future. 

This review draws attention to the results of the North Dakota primary election this June. We have published this review to increase awareness of those elected who are poised to define the future landscape of Cass County. This article does not constitute an endorsement of any political candidate, party or organization.