David Andahl

David Dean Andahl[1] (October 30, 1964 – October 5, 2020) was an American politician, rancher, land developer and driver.[2] In the 2020 election, Andahl defeated longtime incumbent Jeff Delzer in the Republican primary for a seat in the North Dakota House of Representatives, but died a month before the November general election due to complications from COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic in North Dakota, twenty five days short from his 56th birthday. Andahl remained on the ballot and was elected posthumously.

David Andahl
Member-elect of the
North Dakota House of Representatives
from the 8th district
In office
Died before taking office
Preceded byJeff Delzer
Succeeded byJeff Delzer
Personal details
Born
David Dean Andahl

(1964-10-30)October 30, 1964
Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.
DiedOctober 5, 2020(2020-10-05) (aged 55)
North Dakota, U.S.
Cause of deathCOVID-19
Political partyRepublican
EducationBismarck State College (AS)
OccupationPolitician, rancher, land developer, driver
Websitedavidandahl.com

Early life and education

Andahl was born on October 30, 1964, in Bismarck, North Dakota, to Ronald and Patricia Andahl and graduated from Century High School. He received his associate degree from Bismarck State College and studied animal science at North Dakota State University.

Career

He was a farmer, contractor and rancher.[3] Andahl spent sixteen years on the Burleigh County Planning and Zoning Commission, and chaired it for eight years.[2] A Republican, he was a part of the Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign.[4]

2020 North Dakota House election

In the 2020 election, Andahl was a candidate for the North Dakota House of Representatives. In the Republican primary, Andahl defeated Jeff Delzer.[5] North Dakota's Governor, Doug Burgum, and junior Senator Kevin Cramer both endorsed his run for the state house.[6]

In October 2020, Andahl contracted COVID-19 and died from its complications at the age of 55.[7] Following Andahl's death, North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem issued an opinion stating that if a candidate wins an election posthumously, the result would be a vacancy and state law gives the choice of his replacement to the district's chapter of the Republican Party.[8]

On November 4, Governor Doug Burgum appointed Wade Boeshans to the seat, arguing that since no other North Dakota law applied to the situation, he was empowered to make an appointment by a provision of the North Dakota state constitution stating that the governor "may fill a vacancy in any office by appointment if no other method is provided by this constitution or by law".[9] The North Dakota Legislative Assembly sued to block the appointment, arguing that the Governor had exceeded his authority; the legislature instead appointed incumbent Jeff Delzer to the seat. As of November 21, 2020, the dispute between the legislature and governor was being considered by the North Dakota Supreme Court.[10] On November 24, 2020, the North Dakota Supreme Court ruled that Burgum does not have the authority to appoint a person to fill the vacant house seat.[11]

References
  1. Krishnankutty, Pia (November 5, 2020). "US Republican candidate elected to state legislature in North Dakota, a month after his death". ThePrint. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  2. Kaur, Harmeet (November 4, 2020). "A North Dakota state legislature candidate who died from Covid-19 appears to have won his election". CNN. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  3. "Obituary for David Dean Andahl at Parkway Funeral and Cremation Service". Eastgatefuneral.com. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  4. Vigdor, Neil (October 7, 2020). "A North Dakota candidate who died of Covid-19 remains on the ballot". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  5. Reinan, John (October 17, 2020). "North Dakota legislative candidate dies of COVID-19, will still be on November ballot". Star Tribune. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  6. Armus, Teo (November 4, 2020). "A North Dakota Republican died of covid-19 in October. He still won his election". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  7. "Legislative candidate who won heated primary dies from virus". Apnews.com. October 6, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  8. Adam Willis. "After a candidate's death in District 8, AG validates secretary of state's election plan". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  9. "Burgum fulfills constitutional duty, appoints Wade Boeshans to unfilled District 8 House seat". North Dakota Office of the Governor. November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  10. "Court hears arguments on dead North Dakota candidate's seat". Star Tribune. November 21, 2020. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  11. Court: North Dakota governor can't fill dead candidate seat


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