Julie Fedorchak
American politician (born 1968)
Julie Ann Fedorchak [ 1] (née Liffrig )[ 2] (born September 28, 1968) is an American politician who is the U.S. Representative -elect for North Dakota's at-large congressional district . She currently serves as a member of the North Dakota Public Service Commission .[ 3] She was appointed to the commission by Governor Jack Dalrymple in December 2012[ 4] and easily won reelection to that position three times: to a two-year term in 2014 , to a six-year term in 2016 , and to another six-year term in 2022 .[ 5] [ 6]
Background
Fedorchak was born in Williston, North Dakota in 1968.[ 7] She is the youngest of 8 to parents Duane and Doris Liffrig. Duane previously served as Highway Commissioner to former Governor of North Dakota Allen Olson .[ 8]
Fedorchak graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism .[ 9] She later served as communications director for Governor Ed Schafer before becoming a columnist for the Bismarck Tribune and doing numerous other media work.[ 10]
Fedorchak has also served on numerous boards.[ 11]
Public Service Commission
In December 2012, Governor Jack Dalrymple appointed Fedorchak to the North Dakota Public Service Commission after a seat opened. She later won an election to hold the seat in 2014 .[ 12] Shortly after being fully elected to the commission, Fedorchak was also swiftly elected to chair the commission for a two-year term.[ 13]
Fedorchak was later re-elected in 2016 and in 2022 by wide margins.[ 14]
Fedorchak has overseen and assisted the commission in numerous projects and investments while also offering transparent information.[ 15]
U.S. House of Representatives
2024 Congressional election
In February 2024, Fedorchak announced her entry into the race for North Dakota's open US House seat .[ 16] [ 17]
Fedorchak cited matters such as abortion , energy , and agriculture as issues she would focus on as a representative.[ 18] Her main primary opponents were former state Representative Rick Becker , farmer Alex Balazs, activist Sharlet Mohr, and Miss America 2018 Cara Mund for the Republican nomination.[ 19] [ 20] [ 21]
Fedorchak received the most state level endorsements of any candidate in the race, including over 50 legislators, U.S. Senator John Hoeven , Governor Doug Burgum , and former President Donald Trump .[ 22] [ 23]
During the NDGOP endorsement convention, candidate Rick Becker encouraged his supporters to write in spoiler ballots to prevent an endorsement from going through.[ 24] [ 25] After 2 failed ballots, Fedorchak withdrew from the endorsement to allow the convention to continue, giving Alex Balazs the endorsment.[ 26]
On the June 11 primary, Fedorchak won the Republican nomination with 46% of the vote.[ 27] She would face Democrat Trygve Hammer in the general election.[ 28] Shortly after the primary, Fedorchak's campaign filed an FEC complaint regarding election interference after a mass of texts and emails were sent falsely stating she had dropped out of the race on the day of the election.[ 29] [ 30] [ 31]
Fedorchak defeated Hammer in the election 69% to 30%, making her the first woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from North Dakota.[ 32] [ 33] She is also the first Republican woman elected to Congress from North Dakota and the first woman to represent North Dakota in Congress since Heidi Heitkamp , who served in the U.S. Senate from 2013 to 2019.[ 34]
Personal life
Fedorchak has had 3 children with her husband, Michael Fedorchak. She enjoys being active, reading, and traveling in her free time.[ 9] They have been members of Cathedral of the Holy Spirit church for 30 years.[ 35]
Fedorchak's father, Duane, suffers from Alzheimers .[ 36]
Electoral history
References
^ "Rep. Julie Fedorchak - R North Dakota, At-large - Biography" . LegiStorm . Retrieved November 6, 2024 .
^ "About Julie Fedorchak for US Congress" .
^ "Commissioner Julie Fedorchak" . Public Service Commission, North Dakota . Retrieved August 23, 2017 .
^ Smith, Nick (November 30, 2012). "Fedorchak named to PSC" . Bismarck Tribune . Lee Enterprises . Retrieved August 23, 2017 .
^ Smith, Nick (January 6, 2016). "Julie Fedorchak announces 2016 campaign" . Bismarck Tribune . Lee Enterprises . Retrieved August 23, 2017 .
^ Miller, Jr., James B. (November 8, 2022). "Incumbents retain seats in ND Public Service Commission races" . The Dickinson Press .
^ Howe, Michael, ed. (November 2023). "Executive Branch". North Dakota Blue Book 2023-2025 . Bismarck, North Dakota : North Dakota Department of State. p. 382. Retrieved August 19, 2024 – via State Historical Society of North Dakota.
^ "Kathleen Wrigley: What You Need to Know About Julie Fedorchak – Say Anything" .
^ a b "Vote Smart | Facts For All" . Vote Smart . Retrieved June 20, 2024 .
^ "About Julie Fedorchak for US Congress" . Julie Fedorchak . Retrieved June 20, 2024 .
^ "Commissioner, North Dakota Public Service Commission | Aspen Ideas" . Aspen Ideas Festival . Retrieved June 20, 2024 .
^ "Fedorchak launches bid to stay on Public Service Commission" . Grand Forks Herald . November 2, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2024 .
^ "Fedorchak to chair ND Public Service Commission" . InForum . December 18, 2014. Retrieved June 20, 2024 .
^ "Julie Fedorchak" . Ballotpedia . Retrieved June 20, 2024 .
^ "Commissioner Julie Fedorchak: Public Service Commission, North Dakota" . www.psc.nd.gov . Retrieved June 20, 2024 .
^ Gick, Justin (February 19, 2024). "Julie Fedorchak discusses bid for US House" . KFYR-TV .
^ Achterling, Michael (February 15, 2024). "Fedorchak enters North Dakota US House race against 2 Republican challengers" . North Dakota Monitor .
^ "Fedorchak campaigns in Dickinson, addresses issues and endorses Trump" . Dickinson Press . March 5, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024 .
^ "Former state Rep. Rick Becker seeks North Dakota's only US House seat" . AP News . January 22, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024 .
^ "Former state senator announces run for North Dakota's lone US House seat" . AP News . January 29, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024 .
^ FULTON, JACOB (March 26, 2024). "Former fed employee Alex Balazs wants to bring his experience to Washington through US House seat" . The Bismarck Tribune . Retrieved April 9, 2024 .
^ "Sen. John Hoeven endorses Julie Fedorchak for North Dakota's U.S. House seat" . Grand Forks Herald . April 3, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024 .
^ "Port: House candidate Julie Fedorchak wins the battle of legislative endorsements" . InForum . March 13, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024 .
^ "What caused a deadlock for the North Dakota Republican endorsement for US House?" . InForum . April 10, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024 .
^ Weiand, Zachary (April 7, 2024). "Tensions rise at NDGOP convention following protest votes from delegates" . Retrieved June 20, 2024 .
^ Skurzewski, Joe (April 7, 2024). "Alex Balazs awarded ND GOP endorsement for House after Fedorchak withdraws, following pair of failed votes" . Retrieved June 20, 2024 .
^ "North Dakota At-Large Congressional District Primary Election Results" . The New York Times . June 11, 2024. ISSN 0362-4331 . Retrieved June 20, 2024 .
^ Steinhauser, Paul (June 11, 2024). "Trygve Hammer wins Democratic congressional primary in North Dakota" . Fox News . Retrieved June 20, 2024 .
^ "Julie Fedorchak's campaign files complaints with FEC and FCC for alleged election interference and fraud" . Grand Forks Herald . June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024 .
^ STEURER, MARY (June 18, 2024). "Fedorchak files federal election complaints over text messages; alleges fraud, election interference" . The Bismarck Tribune . Retrieved June 20, 2024 .
^ "Attorney files federal complaint following deceptive Julie Fedorchak message" . KX NEWS . June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024 .
^ https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/11/05/us/elections/results-north-dakota-us-house-at-large.html
^ https://www.kfyrtv.com/2024/11/06/fedorchak-wins-will-become-states-first-woman-represent-north-dakotas-at-large-congressional-district/
^ Rubin, April (November 5, 2024). "North Dakota sends first woman to U.S. House, Mississippi still hasn't" . Axios . Retrieved November 7, 2024 .
^ https://fedorchaknd.com/about/
^ "Kathleen Wrigley: What You Need To Know About Julie Fedorchak – Say Anything" . www.sayanythingblog.com . Retrieved June 20, 2024 .
^ "Official Results General Election - November 4, 2014" . North Dakota Voting Information & Central Election Systems . North Dakota Secretary of State . November 4, 2014. Retrieved September 21, 2017 .
^ a b "Official Results 2022 General Election" . North Dakota Voting Information & Central Election Systems . North Dakota Secretary of State . November 8, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2024 .
^ "Official Results 2024 General Election" . North Dakota Voting Information & Central Election Systems . North Dakota Secretary of State . June 11, 2024. Archived from the original on June 12, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024 .
^ "Official (without recounts) 2024 General Election Results" . Vote.nd.gov . Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
External links
U.S. senators U.S. representative
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State government
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Michelle Strinden , Lieutenant Governor
Michael Howe , Secretary of State
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Thomas Beadle , Treasurer
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Doug Goehring , Agriculture Commissioner
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Brian Kroshus , Tax Commissioner
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