Republican U.S. House candidate Julie Fedorchak answers a question during a debate May 24, 2024, at KFGO in Fargo as candidate Alex Balazs listens. Cara Mund and Rick Becker also participated. (Photo by Amy Dalrymple/North Dakota Monitor)
BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – North Dakota Republican candidates for U.S. House may not debate face to face before the June 9 primary election.
U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak, R-N.D., said she hasn’t heard from people who are calling for a debate between her and challenger Alex Balazs.
“I don’t intend to debate Alex,” Fedorchak told the North Dakota Monitor Wednesday. “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.”
Balazs, who was endorsed last month by the North Dakota Republican Party, said he’s open to debating Fedorchak at any time, and he believes there are differences between their policy positions.
“Everybody I’ve talked to wants a debate. Everybody wants us to get out there and discuss issues,” Balazs said.
Balazs was the only candidate who sought the North Dakota Republican Party endorsement for U.S. House during its state convention in March. Fedorchak and other Republican statewide incumbents skipped the endorsing convention and submitted petition signatures to gain access to the Republican primary ballot.
Balazs said the invitation will remain open for any debate with Fedorchak.
Fedorchak participated in three of four debates ahead of the 2024 primary election and debated Democratic-NPL U.S. House candidate Trygve Hammer twice before the general election that year.
Fedorchak said she’s been available to her constituents through events, office hours and virtual forums.
“I’m out in the state. I have a Fedorchak Forum. I speak to thousands of folks every week and am constantly in contact with folks,” Fedorchak said. “And I’ve been really transparent about my positions. That’s an important part of my service and it’s something I’m really committed to.”
Fedorchak has not held an in-person town hall, instead hosting virtual events that she says allow her to connect with more North Dakotans. Balazs has committed to holding in-person town hall meetings, if elected.
Public officials should want to get in front of constituents to discuss the issues and make their policy preferences known, Balazs said. He added a debate is another way for people to get answers to questions they might have about each candidate.
“I think it’s the wrong choice,” he said. “I’m looking forward to any time she wants to get together.”
Fedorchak defeated Balazs in a five-way Republican primary in 2024 with 46% voter support in a race that also included former state lawmaker Rick Becker, former Miss America Cara Mund and Sharlet Mohr of Williston.
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