Where do Bismarck candidates stand on elections and how government runs?

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Secretary of State. Ryan Braunberger (Democratic-NPL): He said he would run the office in a nonpartisan manner and defend North Dakota’s authority over its elections. He also said he would order a public audit of the most recent election and protect voting by mail. He said North Dakota’s mail-ballot system is secure, describing signature verification and county review when signatures do not match. He identified possible U.S. Postal Service delivery delays as a concern for mail voting. Michael Howe (Republican): He says he will work to ensure North Dakota’s elections are secure and transparent while keeping them accessible to eligible voters. He cites paper ballots, post-election audits and other election safeguards as part of that approach. Attorney General. Tim Lamb (Democratic-NPL): He said he would assign an assistant attorney general to develop expertise on artificial intelligence, work with other state attorneys general on oversight, and prioritize consumer protection from AI fraud. He said the Attorney General’s office should act as a watchdog and proposed appointing an independent prosecutor to investigate a state development fund. Drew Wrigley (Republican): He said AI should be approached thoughtfully and transparently, with attention to its benefits and downsides. He encouraged his office’s division directors to consider responsible, ethical uses that save time, while stressing that AI should not replace human judgment or investigators. Public Service Commissioner. Sheri Haugen-Hoffart (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. John M Pederson (Democratic-NPL): He says the PSC should scrutinize major projects rather than treat them as automatic approvals, and that oversight should serve the public rather than developers. Public Service Commissioner Unexpired 2-Year Term. Scot Kelsh (Democratic-NPL): He supports open energy and industrial development, early local-government involvement, and eliminating nondisclosure agreements between large industrial developers and local governments. Jill Kringstad (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Tax Commissioner. Brian Kroshus (Republican): In announcing his 2026 reelection campaign, he identified fiscally responsible government, effective representation of citizens, transparency, and fairness as priorities. He says he believes in limited government and applying conservative values and respect for citizens’ rights to how government works. Mark Nelson (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. State House, District 47. Rosann Jacobs-Fode (Democratic-NPL): She calls for responsible, transparent government spending and says personal freedoms should be protected. Jon Lee (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Cole Montoya (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. Michael Motschenbacher (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Andrew Alexis Varvel (Independent): He supports prohibiting corporations and political action committees from making campaign contributions. Burleigh County Commissioner. Kay LaCoe (Nonpartisan): LaCoe said she wants to bring a more cooperative approach to county government. Wayne Munson (Nonpartisan): No public statement found in our sources. Steve Schwab (Nonpartisan): No public statement found in our sources. James (Jim) Small (Nonpartisan): No public statement found in our sources. Mark Splonskowski (Nonpartisan): He says he wants more meaningful public input at commission meetings and wants to keep taxes and living costs down while supporting growth that protects residents’ quality of life. Mark Wagner (Nonpartisan): He says the county should communicate regularly with Bismarck, townships, state agencies and other stakeholders before issues escalate, and he wants county government to move from a reactive to a proactive approach. Burleigh County Sheriff. Elliot Carvell (Nonpartisan): He says the Sheriff’s Department should provide victims with a compassionate, professional response and hold offenders accountable under the law.