Lori Van Winkle had taken the lead in the District 3 Representative Republican race late Tuesday night, with two other candidates, Van Winkle’s running mate, Rep. Jeff Hoverson, still neck-and-neck with former District 3 legislator Roscoe Streyle.

Van Winkle and Hoverson were the endorsed candidates on the Republican primary ticket, while Streyle challenged them for one of the two House spots on the November ballot.

Van Winkle said Tuesday that she was really excited and hoped to see Hoverson pull ahead too.

Van Winkle, a first-time candidate and Minot Realtor, said she got passionate about politics during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was dismayed by vaccine requirements and some of the restrictions in place during the pandemic. She also wants to see the property tax abolished, protect the integrity of elections, and ensure school choice and parental control over education. She would like to see a bill passed to prevent transgender women from playing on sports teams that match their gender identities. The governor vetoed legislation last year that would have done that, but Van Winkle said she wants to see it reintroduced.

Van Winkle said she and Hoverson did a lot of campaigning leading up to the primary and she would be responsive to her constituents.

“I love talking to people,” said Van Winkle.