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Julie Fedorchak
American politician (born 1968) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Julie Ann Fedorchak[1] (née Liffrig;[2] born September 28, 1968) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for North Dakota's at-large congressional district since 2025. A member of the Republican Party, Fedorchak is the first woman elected to the House of Representatives from North Dakota. She previously served as a member of the North Dakota Public Service Commission from 2012 to 2025 after being appointed by Governor Jack Dalrymple.[3]
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Background
Fedorchak was born in Williston, North Dakota in 1968.[4] She is the youngest of eight children to parents Duane and Doris Liffrig. Duane previously served as Highway Commissioner to former Governor of North Dakota Allen Olson.[citation needed]
Fedorchak graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.[5] She later served as communications director for Governor Ed Schafer before becoming a columnist for the Bismarck Tribune and holding numerous other media roles.[6]
Fedorchak has also served on numerous boards.[7]
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Public Service Commission
In December 2012, Governor Jack Dalrymple appointed Fedorchak to the North Dakota Public Service Commission after a seat opened. She later won an election to hold the seat in 2014.[8] Shortly after being fully elected to the commission, Fedorchak was also swiftly elected to chair the commission for a two-year term.[9]
Fedorchak was later re-elected in 2016 and in 2022 by wide margins.[10]
Fedorchak has overseen and assisted the commission in numerous projects and investments while also offering transparent information.[11]
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U.S. House of Representatives
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2024 election
In February 2024, Fedorchak announced her entry into the race for North Dakota's open U.S. House seat.[12][13] Fedorchak cited matters such as abortion, energy, and agriculture as issues she would focus on as a representative.[14] Her main primary opponents were former state Representative Rick Becker, farmer Alex Balazs, activist Sharlet Mohr, and Miss America 2018 Cara Mund for the Republican nomination.[15][16][17]
During the NDGOP endorsement convention, candidate Rick Becker encouraged his supporters to write in spoiler ballots to prevent an endorsement from going through.[18][19] After 2 failed ballots, Fedorchak withdrew from the endorsement to allow the convention to continue, giving Alex Balazs the endorsment.[20] Fedorchak received the most state level endorsements of any candidate in the race, including over 50 legislators, U.S. Senator John Hoeven, Governor Doug Burgum, and former President Donald Trump.[21][22]
In the June 11 primary, Fedorchak won the Republican nomination with 46% of the vote.[23] She would face Democrat Trygve Hammer in the general election.[24] Shortly after the primary, Fedorchak's campaign filed an FEC complaint regarding election interference after a mass of texts and emails were sent falsely stating she had dropped out of the race on the day of the election.[25][26][27]
Fedorchak defeated Hammer in the election 69% to 30%, making her the first woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from North Dakota.[28][29] She is also the first Republican woman elected to Congress from North Dakota and the first woman to represent North Dakota in Congress since Heidi Heitkamp, who served in the U.S. Senate from 2013 to 2019.[30]
Tenure
Fedorchak was sworn in on January 3, 2025.[31] She was chosen in her first term to serve on the Energy and Commerce committee, where her predecessor had served as the Vice-Chair.[32] Fedorchak is also the first freshman member in 14 years to be appointed to the committee.[33]
Following a trend of congress members hosting Town hall meetings with constituents, Fedorchak hosted a virtual town hall on March 25, 2025.[34] When asked about the meeting being virtual, Fedorchak stated “I simply haven’t found any other venue that allows me to talk to like tonight 3,000 North Dakotans probably more than that because of Facebook and the online options.”[35] She has since hosted numerous online town halls.[36][37] Fedorchak has faced harsh criticism from constituents over the virtual platform.[38][39][40]
On April 10, 2025, Fedorchak introduced legislation to remove the tax credits given in the Inflation Reduction Act to solar and wind energy, saying the credits pose “unprecedented reliability risks to the nations electrical grid due to their intermittent nature.”[41] However, she stated projects currently operating receiving these credits should continue to.[42]
In July of 2025, Fedorchak spoke out in avid support of the Big Beautiful Bill.[43][44][45] She was also vocal in support of the United States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.[46] However, Fedorchak did differ from the administration in her calls for the Epstein Files to be released.[47]
In August, Fedorchak and other freshman members visited Israel.[48]
Committee assignments
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Personal life
Fedorchak has had three children with her husband, Michael Fedorchak.[5] They have been members of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit congregation in Bismarck for 30 years.[49]
Fedorchak's father, Duane, suffered from Alzheimer's disease before dying in 2015.[50]
Electoral history
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References
External links
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