By: Jeff Beach (North Dakota Monitor)
A former North Dakota legislator will take over the seat of Rep. Jeremy Olson, who resigned abruptly after the 2025 session amid a harassment complaint.
The District 26 Republicans on Saturday picked Kelby Timmons of Watford City to replace Olson.
Timmons served with Olson in the 2023 legislative session after winning a two-year seat in the 2022 election.
He lost by 13 votes in the 2024 Republican primary to Roger Maki of Watford City. Olson was the top vote-getter for the two District 26 House seats.
Timmons will serve alongside Maki in the 2027 session. The District 26 seats will be up for election again in 2028.
Patsy Levang, chair of the District 26 Republicans, said Timmons has a strong track record from his first legislative term.
“He believes in local control and has a strong conservative view,” Levang said. Olson, of Arnegard, resigned May 5. A harassment complaint had been filed against Olson but it was withdrawn after he resigned.
