NDGOP Faces Financial Challenges Under New Leadership

The North Dakota Republican Party (NDGOP) is experiencing significant financial difficulties as fundraising efforts falter under the leadership of new chairman Matthew Simon. Elected in a controversial vote, Simon represents the party’s far-right, populist faction and has a documented history of opposing both the party’s endorsed candidates and established party leadership.

At a State Committee meeting following Simon’s election, the NDGOP voted to censure Governor Kelly Armstrong twice for his veto of book-banning legislation and his property tax plan. It is noteworthy that Armstrong, who won nearly 70% of the vote in last year’s gubernatorial race, received a 66% approval rating in an August survey conducted by the North Dakota News Cooperative. This approval rating surpassed that of former President Donald Trump and all three members of the state’s congressional delegation.

The party’s financial reports indicate a troubling decline in cash reserves, raising concerns among Republican leaders. Official meeting minutes from the NDGOP’s executive committee, dating back to December 2023, detail a continuous drop in cash on hand. At the end of the 2024 election cycle, the committee reported about $395,000 in reserves. By mid-September 2024, this amount had plummeted to just $146,000.

Fundraising Efforts Fail to Revive Finances

While it is common for political parties to see a dip in fundraising during off-election years, the NDGOP’s situation appears more alarming. The minutes from various meetings indicate ongoing efforts to launch a fundraising committee in response to dwindling finances. For instance, the July 22 meeting noted the cash balance was at $220,000, but even then, leadership expressed concern about the low figures. By the October 14 meeting, the reported balance had fallen to $146,000, prompting further discussions about revitalizing fundraising initiatives.

Despite these discussions, the party’s official financial disclosures to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) reveal a stark decline in contributions. In August 2024, the NDGOP reported only $370 in contributions, the lowest monthly total recorded in over a decade, dating back to the 2015-2016 election cycle. In contrast, the North Dakota Democratic-NPL party, which holds no statewide offices, reported $24,147.74 in contributions for the same period, along with $56,134.91 in cash on hand.

Implications for Party Dynamics and Future Elections

The financial struggles of the NDGOP raise questions about the impact on the party’s overall strength and its ability to compete in future elections. Although North Dakota voters continue to lean Republican, the current financial situation suggests a loss of support for the party’s new leadership rather than the incumbents who remain popular.

The influence of the populist faction within the party, which Simon represents, does not seem to reflect the broader Republican electorate. Historical data illustrates this disconnect; for example, former state lawmaker Rick Becker, a prominent figure of the populist right, faced significant defeats in his U.S. Senate and House campaigns in the 2022 and 2024 cycles, respectively.

At the NDGOP’s 2024 state convention, this faction’s failure to secure endorsements for candidates like Julie Fedorchak and incumbent Superintendent Kirsten Baesler highlights the challenges they face. Both candidates ultimately triumphed in the general election, with Fedorchak receiving more votes than any other candidate in a statewide contest.

The NDGOP’s financial decline serves as a critical indicator of internal party dynamics and the challenges posed by leadership choices. While the party remains firmly entrenched in Republican territory, the struggle to regain financial footing may shape its strategies and candidates moving forward. As fundraising efforts continue, the focus will be on whether the party can realign itself with the broader electorate to restore its financial health and political influence.