A proposal to have a primary election for Fargo's municipal elected positions is moving in a new direction after the group leading the charge found out that would be against state law.

Matthew Simon of rural Bismarck was elected chair of the North Dakota Republican Party on June 14, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK (North Dakota Monitor) — A divided North Dakota Republican Party elected a newcomer its new chair Saturday,

The city election board certified that Amber Wanner, Dean Kluver, Matthew Rothstein and Russell Murphy each submitted at least 247 valid petition signatures, the minimum North Dakota law requires to appear on the ballot. The special election will be Dickinson’s third citywide vote in 14 months.

Judy Estenson, from left, Shane Goettle and Matthew Simon are candidates for chair of the North Dakota Republican Party. (Estenson photo provided by the North Dakota Legislative Assembly. Other photos provided by the candidates.