Republicans who were verified as of Monday afternoon, April 6, by the Secretary of State’s Office for the ballot in District 3 are Sen. Bob Paulson, R-Minot, who is seeking reelection, and House candidates incumbent Rep. Jeff Hoverson, Blaine DesLauriers, Timothy Mihalick and Crystal Hendrickson. All are from Minot. Two House candidates would advance from the primary to the general election.

Hendrickson, who has not previously announced her candidacy,is a mother of three who owns a small business with her husband. She said her campaign is focused on reducing government spending, bringing about property tax reform by capping assessed valuation increases and opposing corporate welfare, particularly concerning data centers and carbon pipelines. In 2021, Hendrickson organized a grassroots coalition of North Prairie Regional Water District users to address constantly rising rates and management concerns. She won election to the NPRWD board in 2023. She has also been a member of the Ward County Planning Commission since 2021

On the District 3 Democratic-NPL ticket are Surrey Mayor Michael Thiesen for the Senate and Tara Hiatt and Natalie Mclaughlin, both of Minot, for the House.

Theisen said he seeks to re-focus issues at the state Legislature to policies that impact people’s lives.

Tara Hiatt

“Living and working in North Dakota for all my life has taught me that the lives of my neighbors play a very important role in my own. Their needs directly impact the needs of my own family. The cost of education, the price of beef in our local grocery stores, and the rising expense to run local government are struggles we share. These are issues I know inside and out,” he said in his campaign announcement. “Our local representatives in Bismarck are falling short in their efforts to help with those needs. They have clogged the halls of the capitol with issues that hinder the real work that needs to be done to help the residents of this state. My experiences in the local city council and as mayor have taught me that I can work with everyone to meet the needs of our community. I want to bring that effort to the capital and do the work that needs to be done.”

Mclaughlin is a career paramedic who has spent the last 15 years serving communities in the northwest corner of North Dakota.

“When you work in emergency medicine, you learn that when people need help, you don’t stand by and watch — you step in and take action,” Mclaughlin said. “I’ve had the privilege of being there for families on some of their hardest days and advocating for them. Through that work, I’ve seen firsthand how quickly a medical emergency can become a financial crisis — how rising healthcare costs, insurance red tape and the loss of rural services are affecting everyday North Dakotans, from older generations to young families.”

As a parent, she said, she also wants to see the next generation be able to fulfill their dreams in North Dakota by giving them ore options and opportunities.

“Living in Minot through the flood and watching our community rebuild taught me something about who we are as North Dakotans. No matter what national politics may try to do to divide us, here we are neighbors first. We connect through what we have in common (for no North Dakotan has ever met a stranger) and when we put aside nonsense, step in and get to work, we get things done,” Mclaughlin said in her campaign announcement. “And right now, that means standing up for North Dakotans — fighting for access to healthcare, holding insurance companies accountable, and making sure our natural resources and trade industries are utilized to serve the future of our communities, not just outside interests. … If we focus on practical solutions and remember we are neighbors first, I sincerely believe we can build an even stronger future for our district and for North Dakota.”

Michael Thiesen

Hiatt has had a career spanning the Bakken oil field and the North Dakota University System. She said she is passionate about ensuring the next generation with the tools they need to succeed, and her journey provides her with experience and knowledge of how to go about tackling the issue.

“North Dakota isn’t just where I live. It’s where I raise my family and work. I’ve spent my days in the oil field, seeing exactly how our energy sector powers the nation, and I’ve spent my time in the state university system, ensuring our next generation is ready to enter the workforce,” she said. “This “boots-to-books” perspective gives me a unique understanding of what our district needs. I know the value of a hard day’s work and the necessity of a smart, long-term vision. North Dakota deserves representation from people who have a stake in its citizens’ wealth and quality of life, and who will use their position to get their constituents’ voices heard.”

Rep. Scott Louser is seeking re-election to the House in District 5. Republican Roger Brabandt also is seeking one of the district’s two House seats. Democrats Kyle Erickson and Zach Raknerud have filed for the House of Representatives in District 5. State Rep.l Jay Fisher, R-Minot, also running for the state Senate in District 5.

Although state verification wasn’t confirmed as of Monday afternoon, Jeffery Holt, previously indicated his intent to run for the state Senate in District 5 as a Republican.

Natalie Mclaughlin