Republican incumbents defeat challengers
Jun 11, 2008 - 07:11:14 CDT Associated Press
Four incumbent Republican legislators defeated challengers in three separate primary races.
Edinburg Sen. Curtis Olafson, who is running for his first four-year term after being appointed to the Senate in December 2006, defeated Harvey Hope of Langdon 74 percent to 26 percent in unofficial GOP primary results. "It takes a significant amount of time, but it was time well spent," Olafson said of his primary effort. "I really enjoyed the campaign, actually."Olafson got 1,099 votes to Hope's 377 in unofficial returns. Olafson represents District 10, which includes Cavalier County, most of Pembina County and part of Towner County in North Dakota's northeastern corner, along the Canadian border. Olafson served during the 2007 Legislature as the successor to former Sen. Tom Trenbeath, R-Cavalier, who resigned his seat to take a job as deputy attorney general. Olafson is running this fall for a full four-year term. His Democratic opponent, Paul Bonaime, of Neche, was nominated Tuesday without primary opposition. "I was appointed rather than elected, and it wasn't too surprising that someone would try to mount a challenge in the primary with that fact in the background,"Olafson said. "I think (the primary race) will make me a stronger candidate in the fall."
Jun 11, 2008 - 07:11:14 CDT Associated Press
Four incumbent Republican legislators defeated challengers in three separate primary races.
Edinburg Sen. Curtis Olafson, who is running for his first four-year term after being appointed to the Senate in December 2006, defeated Harvey Hope of Langdon 74 percent to 26 percent in unofficial GOP primary results. "It takes a significant amount of time, but it was time well spent," Olafson said of his primary effort. "I really enjoyed the campaign, actually."Olafson got 1,099 votes to Hope's 377 in unofficial returns. Olafson represents District 10, which includes Cavalier County, most of Pembina County and part of Towner County in North Dakota's northeastern corner, along the Canadian border. Olafson served during the 2007 Legislature as the successor to former Sen. Tom Trenbeath, R-Cavalier, who resigned his seat to take a job as deputy attorney general. Olafson is running this fall for a full four-year term. His Democratic opponent, Paul Bonaime, of Neche, was nominated Tuesday without primary opposition. "I was appointed rather than elected, and it wasn't too surprising that someone would try to mount a challenge in the primary with that fact in the background,"Olafson said. "I think (the primary race) will make me a stronger candidate in the fall."
