Shawn Kessel is seeking an office once held by a lawmaker who unexpectedly died during the 2025 legislative session.

MINOT — It may seem odd to call this election cycle a particularly consequential one for North Dakota given how slim the pickings will be at the top of the ballot.

North Dakota Supreme Court justices, from left, Chief Jon Jensen, Lisa Fair McEvers and Jerod Tufte listen to arguments during a hearing on Dec. 18, 2023. (Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK,

An advocacy group submitted a petition to the North Dakota Secretary of State’s office on Wednesday in hopes of putting to a vote the issue of free breakfast and lunches for public school students.