North Dakota GOP Candidates Unlikely to Debate Before Primary

Rep. Fedorchak says she doesn't intend to debate challenger Balazs, who is open to a debate

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:21pm

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A vibrant, abstract painting featuring overlapping, fractured geometric shapes in the colors of the North Dakota state flag, conveying a sense of political energy and movement without any specific imagery.The lack of a debate between North Dakota's Republican U.S. House candidates leaves voters without a direct comparison of the candidates' policy positions ahead of the primary election.Bismarck Today

North Dakota Republican candidates for U.S. House, incumbent Rep. Julie Fedorchak and challenger Alex Balazs, may not debate face-to-face before the June 9 primary election. Fedorchak said she doesn't intend to debate Balazs, as he hasn't laid out any real differences in their records. Balazs, who was endorsed by the North Dakota Republican Party, said he's open to debating Fedorchak at any time and believes there are differences between their policy positions.

Why it matters

Debates allow voters to directly compare candidates' policy positions and qualifications, so the lack of a debate could make it harder for North Dakota Republicans to make an informed choice in the primary. The race is also notable as Fedorchak skipped the state party's endorsing convention, while Balazs was the only candidate to seek the party's endorsement.

The details

Fedorchak participated in three of four debates ahead of the 2024 primary election and debated the Democratic-NPL U.S. House candidate twice before the general election that year. However, she said she hasn't heard from people calling for a debate with Balazs and doesn't intend to debate him, as he hasn't laid out any real differences in their records. Balazs said he's open to debating Fedorchak at any time, and he believes there are differences between their policy positions that voters deserve to hear.

  • The North Dakota primary election is scheduled for June 9, 2026.

The players

Rep. Julie Fedorchak

The incumbent Republican U.S. Representative for North Dakota's at-large congressional district, who is seeking re-election.

Alex Balazs

The challenger for the Republican nomination for U.S. House, who was endorsed by the North Dakota Republican Party.

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What they’re saying

“I don't intend to debate Alex. He hasn't laid out any real differences in his record with mine, and there's not a lot of issues to debate, in my opinion.”

— Rep. Julie Fedorchak, U.S. Representative

“Everybody I've talked to wants a debate. Everybody wants us to get out there and discuss issues.”

— Alex Balazs, Republican Challenger

What’s next

The North Dakota primary election is scheduled for June 9, 2026, and voters will have the opportunity to choose between Rep. Fedorchak and challenger Alex Balazs.

The takeaway

The lack of a debate between the Republican candidates for U.S. House in North Dakota could make it more difficult for voters to directly compare the candidates' policy positions and qualifications ahead of the primary election. This race is also notable for the different approaches taken by the candidates, with Fedorchak skipping the state party's endorsing convention while Balazs sought and received the party's endorsement.