BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota state Republican Party said Thursday it will not consider a move by a “rogue ad hoc group” to change the endorsement process at the party’s convention this weekend.
In a letter sent to delegates Thursday, state GOP Chairman Perrie Schafer said the attempt by the “Ad Hoc NDGOP 2022 Convention Rules Committee” to change existing endorsement rules “will be ruled out of order and will not be considered.”
The simmering rules quarrel is the latest in a rift between the state GOP and a far-right faction attempting to control the party apparatus and replace Republicans they see as too moderate. That includes U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, who is seeking a GOP endorsement for a third-term Saturday over Bismarck Rep. Rick Becker, who has headed a growing ultra-conservative movement in the North Dakota Legislature for about a decade.
The U.S. Senate is the only one of eight statewide offices with a convention fight; all other candidates are unopposed at present.
Schafer said convention delegates have been sent a document by what he called a “rogue” group proposing amendments to convention rules that seek to have candidates who win the most votes be considered “nominees” on the November election ballot, rather than the “endorsed” candidate for the June primary election.
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