MINOT — A total of 35 delegates to the state’s Republican Convention were selected during a District 40 meeting held here Saturday.
Twenty-four delegates were initially presented, followed by 11 additional nominations from the floor to complete the full allotment of convention delegates for the district.
The list of delegates includes automatic selections for the district chair and sitting legislators. However, Rep. Randy Schobinger, R-Dis. 40, Minot, refused his selection. His delegate spot went to Dis. 40 Vice-chair Boyd Strand, Minot. The other automatic selections were Sen. Karen Krebsbach, R-Dis. 40, Rep. Matt Ruby, R-Dis. 40, and Jay Lundeen, district chair.
An attempt to contact Schobinger to inquire as to the reason for declining to accept his district’s automatic selection as a delegate to the state convention was unsuccessful.
The District 40 meeting was held inside AvFlight at the Minot Airport, with the executive committee seated beneath a large United States flag. Speakers included Mikey Hoeven, wife of Sen. John Hoeven, R-ND, and Rick Becker, Bismarck. Becker is challenging Hoeven for his senate seat.
Before introducing the guest speakers, Lundeen told the gathering that, “Our goal is to support candidates that support you. If things aren’t right, a little strange or a little off, and you want to make a difference, vote.”
Becker was first at the microphone. The former state legislator and Bismarck resident introduced himself as a plastic surgeon, and co-owner of a bar along with his wife, and having interests in other businesses as well. He described the objective of his political career as always being “bold.”
“I’ve had people say, 'Don’t do it. You’ll make enemies,'” remarked Becker. “I’ve never given that one iota of credence. It’s that kind of mentality that I want to offer you, to represent you, in Washington, D.C.”
Becker noted that Sen. Hoeven was “doing what he sees best for North Dakota” and he was not “contending otherwise.” However, he said, “We have different views of the proper role of government, and that’s the choice I offer you. I stand by the principles of limited government.”
Mikey Hoeven followed Becker’s remarks, noting her husband’s 100% rating from several groups on various issues, including pro-life, pro-second amendment, and pro-family farm.
“They don’t just happen,” said Mikey Hoeven. “He’s a fighter. Voting in the U.S. Senate is much different than in the state legislature.”
North Dakota’s Republican nominating convention is scheduled for April 1-2 in Bismarck. None of the Dis. 40 candidates face an election this year.
