Races will exist for U.S. Senate and Secretary of State in the North Dakota primary June 14.

Michael Steele, a Fargo art and antiques dealer who says he has been running for U.S. Senate since 2018, officially announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate on the North Dakota Democratic-NPL ticket. He is challenging endorsed candidate Katrina Christiansen, an assistant professor at the University of Jamestown. The Republican-endorsed candidate is incumbent John Hoeven.

“A Democratic candidate running in a historically red state has to have more than hope.That candidate needs someone with grit and resilience. Someone who isn’t a newbie to an upstream battle,” said Steele, who considers himself that person.

He was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer and given a three-year life expectancy five years ago. In 2020, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. The two-time cancer survivor is healthy now.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Steele, 52, said he has lived in Fargo for the past 44 years. He has been involved in politics since 1992. He lists an associate degree in arts and humanities from Minnesota State University-Moorhead in 2005, and a master’s degree from Bnei Baruch Kabbalah University in Israel in 2020.

“I grew up in a small town in Nebraska, in a family that struggled,” Christiansen said in her candidacy announcement. “My dad is an ex-farmer and laborer who was hit hard by the loss of manufacturing jobs. My dad worked long, back-breaking hours trying to get ahead, trying to find that elusive American Dream. I grew up knowing the value of hard work.”

Christiansen added she wants to see North Dakota thrive and not be overlooked and underserved in Washington. She added she wants to serve the people, not the lobbyists and special interests, and be an advocate for all North Dakotans.

She holds a doctorate in agricultural engineering and biorenewable resource and technology from Iowa State University.

The contest for Secretary of State exists on the Republican ticket.

The endorsed candidate is state Rep. Michael Howe, West Fargo. He is the fifth generation in his family’s farming business. He is being challenged by Marvin Lepp of Bismarck, who has worked in multiple industries over the years. Lepp said he will emphasize election integrity, transparency and accessibility of the office and privatization of North Dakota’s businesses.

Jeffrey Powell of Grand Forks recently joined the Democratic-NPL ticket for Secretary of State. The party was still seeking candidates for Secretary of State and tax commissioner at the time of its convention in March.

“Ninety percent of the work is plain, good record-keeping and we’ll deliver. But we also need someone who wants what is best for North Dakota and best for growing our future,” Powell said in announcing his candidacy. “Our campaign will focus on three things: competence, economic growth and protecting voters’ constitutional rights.”

Powell has a doctoral degree in higher education and student affairs leadership from the University of Northern Colorado and has worked for 30 years in university and college settings. He currently works at Mayville State University.

Other candidates on the statewide ballot are:

— Congressman, Kelly Armstrong, Bismarck, Republican; Mark Haugen, Bismarck, Democratic-NPL.

— Attorney General, Timothy Lamb, Grand Forks,, Dem-NPL; Drew Wrigley, Bismarck, Republican.

— Agriculture Commissioner, Fintan Dooley, Bismarck, Dem-NPL; Doug Goehring, Bismarck, Republican.

— Public Service Commissioner, Julie Fedorchak, Mandan, Republican; Melanie Moniz, Halliday, Dem-NPL.

— Public Service Commissioners, unexpired term, Trygve Hammer, Velva, Dem-NPL; Sheri Hagen Hoffart, Bismarck, Republican.

— Tax Commissioner, Brian Kroshus, Bismarck, Republican.

— Justice of the Supreme Court, Daniel Crothers, Bismarck.

Write-in candidates have until May 24 to indicate an intent to run for congressional, state or judicial positions and until June 10 for legislative offices.