A North Dakota state legislative candidate whose name was left on the ballot after he died from COVID-19 in October was elected on Tuesday.
North Dakota voters elected Republicans David Andahl and Dave Nehring to represent the 8th district in the state’s House of Representatives.
However, weeks before polls closed, Andahl, 55, had died due to the coronavirus that has infected more than 9.3 million people nationwide.
Despite being “very careful” about the pandemic, Andahl died on Oct. 5 from virus-related complications after being hospitalized, his mother told The Bismarck Tribune at the time.
The politician, who defeated Rep. Jeff Delzer, the longtime incumbent and target of Gov. Doug Burgum, had died after being sick for about four days, his mother said.
After his death, state Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem affirmed that his name would still remain on the ballot, and if he won, the state Republican Party would appoint a replacement.
“In the event the deceased candidate receives the majority of the votes, the candidate is elected. However, if the prevailing candidate has died, the candidate is no longer qualified, and a vacancy would exist,” Stenehjem wrote, citing state law on filling a legislative vacancy.
Although, voters have the option to petition for a special election after the legislative session if they are unhappy with the appointment.
Earlier this year, Andahl and fellow District 8 House candidate Nehring won the Republicans’ endorsements and voters’ nominations to defeat one of North Dakota’s most powerful lawmakers, Delzer, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
“He had a lot of feelings for his county … and wanting to make things better, and his heart was in farming. He wanted things better for farmers and the coal industry,” his mother told the outlet.
The number of confirmed, active cases in the state has surged in recent weeks, notching its highest level Monday.
The day before results were final, North Dakota reported 8,440 active cases of COVID-19, the highest amount since the state began tracking cases in March.
Electing a dead man to public office automatically turns the poor guy into a DemocRAT party member. A pedophile, pervert, coward, traitor. Need it say more.
With the Democrats it’s not the person being voted into office, it’s the voter.
I am so sorry for this family of a man so dedicated to making things better for his state. My condolences and prayers to his family, friends and constituents! God Bless you all and our Country!
What does, “virus related complications mean”? Were there other health issues and the virus helped make them fatal? Is it a “Corona death” or Corona related death?
Everything these days are coronavirus
deaths. Thats why the count is so high.
RIP
Pray the appointment will be someone with the same ideals and goals of this patriot to keep our country a great place for our future generations.
Condolences to his family and we pray for them to stay safe and healthy in these hard time.
North Dakota is a solid pro-American state.
I was under the impression that if a man dies while in office his wife was usually selected to serve out his term. I wonder if that will happen. Our thoughts go out to his family.