Prevailing PSC candidates say campaign work not done with Dem opponents on horizon
Republican incumbents Sheri Haugen-Hoffart and Jill Kringstad won their North Dakota Public Service Commission primary races and will face Democratic challengers in the general election. Their campaigns and public discourse touch on issues like maintaining low electric rates, balancing development with landowner rights, and the rapid development of data centers. Defeated candidate Deven Styczynski plans to draft legislation for local control over energy project permitting and environmental assessments for large energy consumers like data centers.
Republican incumbents Sheri Haugen-Hoffart and Jill Kringstad secured victories in the North Dakota Public Service Commission primary elections, overcoming challenges from Deven Styczynski and Chris Olson. Both Haugen-Hoffart, who received 64% of the vote, and Kringstad, with 54%, are preparing to face Democratic opponents in the upcoming general election. Kringstad was appointed to the commission by Governor Kelly Armstrong in 2025.
Despite their primary wins, both commissioners garnered fewer votes than Rep. Julie Fedorchak, who topped the Republican ticket, signaling potential voter concerns. Kringstad emphasized her commitment to maintaining North Dakota's low electric rates while balancing development with landowner rights.
Defeated candidate Deven Styczynski attributed the incumbents' underperformance to public concerns regarding electricity rates, rapid data center development, and other industrial projects. Styczynski, who campaigned on these issues, stated he would continue his advocacy by drafting legislation. His proposed bills aim to restore local control over energy project permitting and mandate environmental impact assessments for major energy consumers, including data centers, which he hopes to introduce in the 2027 legislative session.
Haugen-Hoffart is set to compete against Democratic nominee John Pederson, a professor, while Kringstad will face Scot Kelsh, a former Fargo firefighter and Democratic state lawmaker, for the two-year term in the general election.