Dakota Election Results

​Our advocacy team’s summary and analysis of this pivotal election. John Alexander and Chesney Garnos cover our two states' results.

NATIONAL RESULTS
Former President Donald Trump will return to the White House after clinching critical battleground states, including Georgia, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. These victories secured the electoral votes necessary for a win, driven by unexpected gains in traditionally Democratic areas. The Democratic Party has responded by launching an internal review of the election to understand these surprising shifts. Trump’s return signals a pivotal moment in American politics, as his renewed support across diverse regions underscores changing dynamics within the electorate. As preparations for the new administration commence, many anticipate significant policy and political shifts ahead.

NORTH DAKOTA RECAP – by John Alexander, Director of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs

Republicans Regain Control of the Senate, House Outcome Still Uncertain
Republicans have reclaimed control of the Senate, achieving crucial victories in states like Montana, Ohio, and West Virginia, where Tim Sheehy, Bernie Moreno, and Jim Justice won key races. Although the House remains undecided, early trends suggest Republicans are poised for additional wins, with Michigan’s 7th District already flipping to Republican candidate Tom Barrett. If Republicans secure both chambers, they will have the advantage needed to advance their legislative agenda without substantial opposition. As results continue to trickle in, the GOP is watching closely, with many already setting priorities for the upcoming term.
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DakCU-Backed Candidates Achieve Unprecedented Sweep in North Dakota Elections
The Dakota Credit Union Association (DakCU) enjoyed remarkable success in North Dakota’s 2024 elections, with all 65 DakCU-supported candidates winning their races. This achievement surpassed even DakCU’s primary season success rate, demonstrating the strength of our strategic, bipartisan approach. These candidates include Kelly Armstrong, who secured over 264,000 votes, Senator Kevin Cramer, with a commanding 66.29% majority, and Julie Fedorchak, who won 69.22% of the vote. As these elected officials prepare to take office, DakCU’s influence within the state’s political landscape is clear.

John Alexander and Jeff Olson join watch parties in Bismarck on election night.

North Dakota Voters Pass Disability Rights and Oil Fund Spending Measures
North Dakota voters made their voices heard on two important ballot measures this election cycle. Measure 1, which modernizes state language to better support people with disabilities, passed overwhelmingly with 84.5% approval, reflecting strong public support for inclusive legislative language. Meanwhile, Measure 3—aimed at limiting spending from the state’s oil and gas fund—received a narrower 52% approval, indicating mixed sentiments on managing resource-derived funds. These measures reflect North Dakotans' careful consideration of both social and financial issues, adding another layer to an election cycle that saw significant engagement across the state.

North Dakota Legislature Holds Strong Republican Supermajority with Few Shifts
North Dakota’s Legislature will remain solidly Republican following the 2024 election, with the GOP retaining its supermajority. There are 9 new State Senators, 7 Republicans and 2 Democrats. In the House there 11 new members, 9 Republicans and 2 Democrats. Republicans now hold a 42-5 majority in the Senate and an 83-11 majority in the House. A recount is pending in District 9, where Democrat Colette Brown and Republican David Brien are separated by only 35 votes for a two-year term. While Democrats lost seats in key districts like Fargo’s District 10 and Grand Forks’ District 18, they gained two seats in District 9, which now features an all-Native American representation with Jame Davis and Colette Brown leading the race.
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New Faces and Gains for Both Parties in North Dakota’s State House
North Dakota’s state legislature saw subtle shifts in representation following the 2024 election. Republicans gained a House seat in Fargo’s District 10, with Jared Hendrix winning over incumbent Hamida Dakane. Democrats managed a notable gain in the Senate, with veteran Richard Marcellais unseating Republican incumbent Judy Estenson in District 9. These local changes indicate the importance of community-level dynamics in North Dakota politics, as voters seek candidates who represent their priorities within both parties.

SOUTH DAKOTA RECAP – by Chesney Garnos, Director of Political & Grassroots Affairs

General Election
South Dakota saw high election turnout across the state, with around 70% of citizens casting their ballots, despite the low voter turnout in the primary election this past June. This was anticipated, with a presidential race, U.S. House seat, and seven ballot measure initiatives on the table in South Dakota!

Election Night Watch Parties
On Tuesday evening, I had the opportunity to attend election night watch parties in Sioux Falls. Travis Kasten from Service First, Guy Trenhaile from Healthcare Plus, and I had the pleasure of attending Rep. Johnson's party in downtown Sioux Falls. DakCU proudly supported Representative Dusty Johnson in his re-election campaign, as he has been a strong advocate for our credit union initiatives in D.C. It was a fantastic evening and a great chance to connect with him, Senator Thune, Mayor Paul TenHaken, and other prominent South Dakota officials.
I also made a stop at the Democratic Election Party in Sioux Falls, where I spoke with several pro-credit union candidates, including District 12 Senate candidate Clay Hoffman.

Chesney Garnos along with Travis Kasten and Guy Trenhaile at SD watch parties.

SD Ballot Measures
Initiated Measure 28, which DakCU and the SD GAC opposed, faced the night's most resounding defeat, with over 70% of voters rejecting the poorly crafted initiative. This ballot measure would have repealed taxes on consumable goods in South Dakota, eliminating major funding to essential services like healthcare and education. Five other ballot measures also failed including Amendments E, H, G, along with IM29 and Referred Law 21. The only measure to pass was Amendment F, establishing Medicaid work requirements, which gained voter approval.

South Dakota State Legislative Election
So, how did everything go down? Well, let’s just say full results did not trickle in until Wednesday evening! This was due to ten key districts with substantial voter bases that took nearly 24 hours for their reporting to come in. This delay was due to complications encountered at the Minnehaha County auditor’s office. There is potentially one recount that may take place for the House Race in District 15.

The makeup of the 2025 South Dakota legislative body will be filled with many new incoming freshmen members. You can review the results as of 7 p.m. November 6th by visiting the South Dakota Secretary of State’s website. I will provide an additional update on the final 2025 legislative listing in my memo article on Tuesday. Stay tuned! 

Dakota credit union advocates proudly display their "I VOTED" stickers!