North Dakota State Senate District 44
North Dakota State Senate District 44 is represented by Joshua A. Boschee (D).
As of the 2020 Census, North Dakota state senators represented an average of 16,589 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 14,381 residents.
About the office
Members of the North Dakota State Senate serve four-year terms with term limits. Approximately half of the members are elected to four-year terms every two years. Generally, members from even-numbered districts are elected in U.S. presidential election years (2012, 2008, 2004, etc.) and members from odd-numbered districts are elected in general election years offset by two years from U.S. presidential elections (2010, 2006, 2002, etc.). North Dakota legislators assume office on December 1st.[1]
Qualifications
Article 4, Section 5 of the North Dakota Constitution states:[2]
| “ | Each individual elected or appointed to the legislative assembly must be, on the day of the election or appointment, a qualified elector in the district from which the member was selected and must have been a resident of the state for one year immediately prior to that election. An individual may not serve in the legislative assembly unless the individual lives in the district from which selected.[3] | ” |
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[4] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $592/month | $213/day |
Term limits
- See also: State legislatures with term limits
The North Dakota Legislative Assembly is one of 16 state legislatures with term limits. It has been a term-limited state legislature since North Dakota voters approved Constitutional Measure 1 in 2022, as an initiated constitutional amendment. The first year that the term limits enacted in 2022 will impact the ability of incumbents to run for office is 2030. Under North Dakota's term limits, state senators can serve no more than two four-year terms.
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the North Dakota State Legislature, the vacancy is filled by the district committee of the political party that holds the seat. A replacement must be named within 21 days of the vacancy. The appointed person shall serve until the next general election which is scheduled for at least 94 days after the vacancy occurs. Qualified electors in a district where a vacancy exists can also petition for a special election to be called by the governor to fill the remaining term.[5]
See sources: North Dakota Cent. Code §44-02-03.1
District map
Redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in North Dakota
Because North Dakota has only one congressional district, congressional redistricting is not necessary. The state legislature draws state legislative district boundaries. State legislative district lines are subject to veto by the governor.[6]
The North Dakota Constitution requires that state legislative districts be "compact and contiguous."[6][7]
2020-2024
On May 14, 2025, a federal appeals court overturned a lower court ruling that struck down the state's 2021 legislative maps. On January 8, 2024, the U.S. District Court of North Dakota had ordered the state to adopt a remedial legislative map proposed by the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and the Spirit Lake Tribe. In the order, Judge Peter Welte said that the new map "requires changes to only three districts ... and is the least intrusive option that complies with the Voting Rights Act and the Constitution."[8][9]
The U.S. District Court of North Dakota struck down the state's legislative map on November 17, 2023, saying in its ruling in the case Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians v. the Secretary of State of North Dakota, "The Secretary is permanently enjoined from administering, enforcing, preparing for, or in any way permitting the nomination or election of members of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly from districts 9 and 15 and subdistrict 9A and 9B. The Secretary and Legislative Assembly shall have until December 22, 2023, to adopt a plan to remedy the violation of Section 2."[10] North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) signed legislation enacting the state's legislative map on November 11, 2021.
Reactions to 2024 state legislative maps
On January 9, 2024, the Secretary of State’s Office filed an appeal with the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals of the U.S. District Court of North Dakota's order in the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians v. the Secretary of State of North Dakota case.[11]
The Secretary of State’s Office also released a statement saying, “Any action taken by the appeals court would not impact the maps used for the 2024 election cycle. ... Secretary of State Michael Howe will be moving forward for the 2024 election with Judge Welte’s court-imposed map.”[11]
Below are the maps in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle. The map on the right was in effect for North Dakota’s 2024 state legislative elections.
North Dakota State Senate District 44
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
North Dakota State Senate District 44
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2024
See also: North Dakota State Senate elections, 2024
General election
General election for North Dakota State Senate District 44
Joshua A. Boschee won election in the general election for North Dakota State Senate District 44 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Joshua A. Boschee (D) | 94.6 | 5,362 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 5.4 | 307 | ||
| Total votes: 5,669 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for North Dakota State Senate District 44
Joshua A. Boschee advanced from the Democratic primary for North Dakota State Senate District 44 on June 11, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Joshua A. Boschee | 99.8 | 843 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 2 | ||
| Total votes: 845 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
No Republican candidates ran in the primary.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Andrew Nyhus (R)
2022
General election
General election for North Dakota State Senate District 44
Incumbent Merrill Piepkorn defeated Bjorn Altenburg in the general election for North Dakota State Senate District 44 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Merrill Piepkorn (D) | 62.2 | 2,731 |
 | Bjorn Altenburg (R) | 37.5 | 1,646 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 14 | ||
| Total votes: 4,391 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for North Dakota State Senate District 44
Incumbent Merrill Piepkorn advanced from the Democratic primary for North Dakota State Senate District 44 on June 14, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Merrill Piepkorn | 99.7 | 1,058 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 3 | ||
| Total votes: 1,061 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for North Dakota State Senate District 44
Bjorn Altenburg advanced from the Republican primary for North Dakota State Senate District 44 on June 14, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Bjorn Altenburg | 99.3 | 755 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.7 | 5 | ||
| Total votes: 760 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2020
General election
General election for North Dakota State Senate District 44
Incumbent Merrill Piepkorn defeated Tim Flakoll in the general election for North Dakota State Senate District 44 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Merrill Piepkorn (D) | 54.1 | 3,800 |
 | Tim Flakoll (R) | 45.7 | 3,209 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 13 | ||
| Total votes: 7,022 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for North Dakota State Senate District 44
Incumbent Merrill Piepkorn advanced from the Democratic primary for North Dakota State Senate District 44 on June 9, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Merrill Piepkorn | 99.7 | 1,430 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 4 | ||
| Total votes: 1,434 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for North Dakota State Senate District 44
Tim Flakoll advanced from the Republican primary for North Dakota State Senate District 44 on June 9, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tim Flakoll | 99.3 | 1,089 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.7 | 8 | ||
| Total votes: 1,097 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Elections for the North Dakota State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 14, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 11, 2016.
Merrill Piepkorn defeated incumbent Tim Flakoll in the North Dakota State Senate District 44 general election.[12][13]
| North Dakota State Senate, District 44 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Merrill Piepkorn |
50.98% | 3,733 | |
| Republican | Tim Flakoll Incumbent | 49.02% | 3,590 | |
| Total Votes | 7,323 | |||
| Source: North Dakota Secretary of State | ||||
Merrill Piepkorn ran unopposed in the North Dakota State Senate District 44 Democratic primary.[14][15]
| North Dakota State Senate, District 44 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Merrill Piepkorn (unopposed) | |
Incumbent Tim Flakoll ran unopposed in the North Dakota State Senate District 44 Republican primary.[14][15]
| North Dakota State Senate, District 44 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Tim Flakoll Incumbent (unopposed) | |
2012
Elections for the office of North Dakota State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 12, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 13, 2012. Incumbent Tim Flakoll (R) defeated Rick Olek (D) in the general election. Both candidates were unopposed in the June 12 primary elections.[16][17]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Tim Flakoll Incumbent |
52.2% | 3,853 | |
| Democratic | Rick Olek | 47.5% | 3,502 | |
| Other | Write-in | 0.3% | 20 | |
| Total Votes | 7,375 | |||
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for North Dakota State Senate District 44 raised a total of $291,100. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $17,124 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, North Dakota State Senate District 44 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $38,668 | 2 | $19,334 |
| 2022 | $24,906 | 2 | $12,453 |
| 2020 | $78,061 | 2 | $39,031 |
| 2016 | $73,974 | 2 | $36,987 |
| 2012 | $31,552 | 2 | $15,776 |
| 2008 | $31,726 | 2 | $15,863 |
| 2004 | $10,164 | 2 | $5,082 |
| 2000 | $2,050 | 3 | $683 |
| Total | $291,100 | 17 | $17,124 |
See also
- North Dakota Legislative Assembly
- North Dakota State Senate
- North Dakota House of Representatives
- North Dakota state legislative districts
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ North Dakota Constitution, "Article IV, Section 7," accessed February 12, 2021
- ↑ North Dakota Legislative Branch, "North Dakota Constitution, Article IV," accessed May 23, 2025
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ North Dakota Legislative Branch, "North Dakota Century Code §44-02-03.1," accessed February 6, 2023
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 All About Redistricting, 'North Dakota," accessed April 22, 2015
- ↑ North Dakota Constitution, "Article IV, Section 2," accessed April 22, 2015
- ↑ United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, "Case No. 3:22-cv-22 Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, et al., vs. Michael Howe," accessed January 8, 2024
- ↑ Twitter, "RedistrictNet," January 10, 2024
- ↑ U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota, "Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians vs. Michael Howe, in his Official Capacity as Secretary of State of North Dakota," November 17, 2022
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Bismarck Tribune, "North Dakota to follow judge’s redistricting order for 2024 election, despite appeal," January 10, 2024
- ↑ North Dakota Secretary of State, "2016 General Election Contest/Candidate List," accessed August 21, 2016
- ↑ North Dakota Secretary of State, "Official Results General Election - November 8, 2016," accessed November 28, 2016
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 North Dakota Secretary of State, "2016 Primary Election Contest/Candidate List," accessed April 13, 2016
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 North Dakota Secretary of State, "Official Results Primary Election - June 14, 2016," accessed August 2, 2016
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, "2012 Primary results," accessed December 5, 2013
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, "2012 General election results," accessed December 5, 2013
