Primary election voting traditionally has been low, but Minot saw considerably heavier voting in the mayor’s race compared to 2022, while total votes cast in the city council race were only slightly behind those of 2024. The 2024 race featured multiple candidates seeking three council seats, as did this year’s race. With voters able to each select three, there were 15,690 total votes cast in the 2024 race and 15,585 votes cast in the latest city election.

The Minot Park District’s sales tax proposal passed on Tuesday after a similar measure fell by just 25 votes in a special election on June 3, 2025. The half percent sales tax comes with about a 40% reduction in park district property tax, but unlike the previous measure, the version voted on Tuesday did not focus on construction of a turf building but directed the money primarily to maintenance.

The park board had indicated a desire to give the measure a second try with the thought that more voters would weigh in during the regular election.

Minot voters narrowly rejected the half percent sales tax 979-954 last year. Tuesday’s unofficial count was 3,307-2,508.

Tim Mihalick

“We are extremely excited and extremely grateful for our community’s support in continuing to improve the quality of life for Minot and the surrounding area,” said Elly DesLauriers, executive director for the park district. “It was great to see the great voter turnout for our community across the board, and everybody let their voices be heard.”

The park board is in the middle of its budgeting process. As it works to complete that process, it will factor in more of those maintenance projects made possible by the sales tax, DesLauriers said.

A half percent sales tax is estimated to generate about $6.5 million a year and would be accompanied by a 40% property tax reduction from 38 to 26 mills. The 26-mill cap would sunset June 30, 2046, while the sales tax would remain in effect indefinitely unless repealed or amended after June 30, 2046.

The owner of a $250,000 home in Minot is expected to save $155 in property taxes. To not see a savings, that homeowner would need to spend an additional $31,100 on taxable purchases in Minot

The sales tax would take effect this fall, and Minot property-tax payers would see the park district tax reduction on their December bills for 2027.

Blaine DesLauriers

District 3 Republicans chose two new candidates over an endorsed incumbent and his running mate to advance in the race for the North Dakota House of Representatives.

Unofficial results showed Blaine DesLauriers garnering 706 votes and Tim Mihalick with 686 votes, which would move them on to represent the party in the general election in November.

Incumbent Jeff Hoverson was only 23 votes behind Mihalick with 663, and Crystal Hendrickson received 622 votes.

District 3 includes a section of east Minot, Surrey and the surrounding rural area.

“We put the work in and did the door knocking and went out and visited with a number of people and felt like it was, obviously, up to the voters, and so we’re very thankful to them for their support,” Mihalick said.

He said he looks forward to a general election campaign, pending canvassing board confirmation of election results.

“Hopefully, the work we put in comes to fruition as we get the opportunity to move forward,” he said.

“We’re elated, both Tim and I, and also humbled – just the outpouring of support we received, the encouragement from our friends, neighbors, and, obviously, all the voters. We worked hard. We were out knocking on doors and received a very positive response from that,” DesLauriers said.

Campaign feedback indicated voters are looking for common sense governing, he said. They care about K-12 schools and eliminating waste in government spending, he added.

“I think we can deliver on our message. The property tax reform that started with Governor Armstrong last session certainly resonates. They all saw the benefit of the $1,600 credit,” he said. “Hopefully, they’ll be able to increase that as well as keep taxes low in general – state income tax, in particular, which is relatively low anyway.”

Both DesLauriers and Mihalick have been involved in public service and work in banking, although DesLauriers announced he plans to retire June 30. Mihalick has served as chair and is a current member of the State Board of Higher Education.

Endorsed by Gov. Kelly Armstrong, they campaigned on what has been a traditional Republican platform, while Hoverson and Hendrickson represented a more conservative movement looking to return the party to a platform from which they feel it has strayed.

Hoverson was running for his third four-year term.

“I think it’s just all part of God’s plan,” Hoverson said. “If He has me in politics or in another area, I’m grateful. It’s been great.”

Hoverson said he plans to reflect and decompress after a high-intensity campaign to determine where his interests might take him from here and whether that might include some continued role in politics. He added he’s incredibly grateful for the eight years he was able to serve District 3 in the N.D. House.

Election results remain unofficial until county canvassing boards meet on June 22 and the State Canvassing Board certifies results on June 24.