By: Michael Achterling (ND Monitor)
A North Dakota Republican Party fixture and two relative newcomers are seeking to lead the state party during a time of division between establishment and populist factions.
Shane Goettle, a lobbyist who served in U.S. Sen. John Hoeven’s administration, is among the candidates to succeed Sandi Sanford as chair of the state party. Goettle, of Mandan, is a former North Dakota national committeeman who lost the spot last year during a state convention that saw several endorsements go to less traditional candidates.
Others to announce their candidacy are former state Sen. Judy Estenson of Warwick and District 8 NDGOP vice chair Matthew Simon of rural Bismarck. The North Dakota Republican State Committee will gather in Bismarck on Saturday to elect a new chair for the next two years.
Sanford, who narrowly won over Perrie Schafer two years ago, is not seeking reelection.
Republicans control all elected statewide and federal offices in North Dakota and hold supermajorities in the state Legislature. The election of a new party leader comes a year after a contentious state primary in which several conservative Republicans sought to oust more moderate incumbents and longtime legislators skipped district endorsing conventions citing concerns of an unfair process.
Bob Harms, a former NDGOP chair from 2013 to 2015, said the party needs a leader who can bring unity.
“Right now, we need somebody who can help bring the party together to reduce some of the division and the rancor and the discord that exists, and much of the gamesmanship that is out there on both the right and the left of the party,” Harms said.
Goettle, who has held previous roles in the state party, said he’s running for chair because he believes the NDGOP needs steady, fair and principled leadership.
“We can have our differences. That’s OK,” Goettle said. “We can even battle that out somewhat within the party, but that’s where it should happen … with debate, with dialog and with a lot of patience.”
Estenson said in an announcement that the election comes at a pivotal time for the NDGOP.
“Our party stands at a crossroads,” Estenson said as she announced her candidacy, emphasizing a need to “reaffirm our commitment to conservative principles.”
In an interview, she said she hopes to bring more unification and openness to the party.
“You want to do things in a very fair, transparent way and I want our districts to do the same,” she said. “It all starts at the grassroots and I want our districts to be committed to that same thing.”
Estenson represented District 15 during the 2023 legislative session. A judge’s ruling in a redistricting case shifted district boundaries and Estenson lost election in 2024 in District 9. She now serves as NDGOP District 9 chair.
Simon said he would like to see more transparency and open forums in the Republican Party process.
“Right now, there’s a lot of mystique behind what we actually do as a party at the state level,” Simon said. “I think that could be fairly easily resolved by just more public engagement.”
He also said divisions between factions within the party are not “irreparable,” but in-depth discussions need to be had on “what it is to be a Republican.” Simon said the party platform is supposed to be the unifying force within the party that represents an 80% consensus of its membership.
Sanford said she decided against seeking reelection after consulting with members of the state and national party.
“I just decided that I’m not the person to continue and I think it’s best for someone else to jump in,” Sanford said.
The NDGOP reorganization meeting is closed to the public.
