James Maxson, Minot

This fall’s 3 way North Dakota congressional race is shaping up to receive national attention. An overwhelming majority of the voting public is, to say it diplomatically, less than impressed with Congress. North Dakota’s current 2nd term Republican incumbent won his 1st term by roughly 60% and his 2nd term by roughly 69%. Whether he is popular or merely the beneficiary of having run against a dysfunctional Democratic party is a valid question.

The joker in this house of cards is Cara Mund who is running as in Independent. Mund is the only Miss North Dakota who ever became Miss America. As a Harvard Law School graduate, she obviously has more to offer than being attractive. She has a superior intellect and name recognition. Furthermore, her generation is turned off by both political parties and are letting their parents know it.

The Republican party will out spend both Mund and the Democratic candidate by a country mile. Most voters pay lip service to there being too much money influencing politicians. Whether or not they vote according to that belief remains to be seen. How many historically Democratic voters can Mund siphon from what is left of it? How many historically Republican voters can Mund siphon from an obviously fragmented Republican party? How many so called Independents are really independent? Is her race a minor tremor or an earthquake? These questions will put North Dakota on the map.