A Republican candidate, Rick Becker, running for North Dakota's House of Representatives seat has received an endorsement from former 2024 Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy. Becker, a plastic surgeon and former state House member, is competing in a three-way Republican primary scheduled for June 11 to determine who will advance to the November general election. The current seat holder, Rep. Kelly Armstrong, is stepping down to run for governor.
Ramaswamy criticized the U.S. government for providing significant taxpayer funds to companies for constructing a CO2 pipeline across the Midwest, including North Dakota, to satisfy what he referred to as the 'global climate cult.' He highlighted concerns about potential hazards and opposition from farmers regarding the pipeline passing through their lands. Ramaswamy expressed support for Becker due to his strong stance against the pipeline project and refusal to align with the bipartisan Establishment that endorses it. Becker signed Ramaswamy's American Truth Pledge, leading to the endorsement for his congressional bid.
Becker, in response, thanked Ramaswamy for the endorsement, praising him as an 'American patriot' who shares his dedication to upholding truth against what he described as the radical WOKE movement undermining American values. Becker has positioned himself as a supporter of former President Trump and the populist faction within the GOP. While Ramaswamy withdrew from the primary early on to support Trump, the former president has not yet made an endorsement in the race.
Becker has garnered support from members of the House Freedom Caucus, including former Chairman Scott Perry and several other representatives. He has pledged to join the Freedom Caucus if elected to Congress. Previously, Becker ran as an independent candidate for U.S. Senate against Republican incumbent Sen. John Hoeven and Democratic candidate Katrina Christiansen. During his tenure as a state representative, Becker founded the Bastiat Caucus, an ultra-conservative group challenging the state's Republican officials to adopt more right-leaning policies, named after economist Frédéric Bastiat.
Other Republican candidates in the House primary include Julie Fedorchak, a member of North Dakota's Public Service Commission, and former State Department official Alex Balazs. The lone Democrat in the race is Marine Corps veteran Trygve Hammer.
