Four Candidates Vie for North Dakota District 3 Seats
With no incumbents on the ballot, four candidates are competing for two District 3 seats in the North Dakota House this fall.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Should North Dakota expand its primary residence property tax credit next session?
Four candidates are running for two District 3 seats in the North Dakota House in the November 2026 general election, and neither incumbent is on the ballot. Democrats are seeking to win a District 3 House seat for the first time in 20 years.
Why it matters
With no incumbents running, the District 3 race is open, giving voters in the Minot area a choice of new legislative representation. The candidates are also presenting priorities such as a proposed increase to the state's primary residence tax credit, which affects property owners across North Dakota.
The District 3 House field is four candidates for two seats, with the state's current primary residence property tax credit set at $1,600. The extraction does not specify the proposed increase amount or the outcome of the November vote.
The players
Tim Mihalick
Tim Mihalick is a Republican candidate for the North Dakota House who works as a banker and serves on the State Board of Higher Education.
Blaine DesLauriers
Blaine DesLauriers is a Republican candidate for the North Dakota House and a retired Minot banker running for office for the first time.
Tara Hiatt
Tara Hiatt is a Democratic candidate for the North Dakota House who works as an administrative assistant at Minot State University.
Natalie McLaughlin
Natalie McLaughlin is a Democratic candidate for the North Dakota House and a paramedic from rural North Dakota.
The details
Blaine DesLauriers, a retired Minot banker and first-time candidate, is running as a Republican alongside Tim Mihalick, a banker who serves on the State Board of Higher Education. Democratic candidates Tara Hiatt, an administrative assistant at Minot State, and Natalie McLaughlin, a rural North Dakota paramedic, are also in the race.
Timeline
Fall 2026: District 3 House race held with no incumbents on the ballot.
Next legislative session: proposed increase to the primary residence tax credit expected to be considered.
Political Context
Democrats have not won a District 3 House seat in 20 years, making this open-seat race with a Democratic slate a notable break from that pattern. Outcomes will show whether the district's long Republican hold continues without an incumbent on the ballot.
Voters in District 3 will choose two House members this fall from a field that includes no incumbents, so the outcome will determine the district's representation in the next session. Property owners in North Dakota could see changes to the primary residence tax credit, currently $1,600, depending on what lawmakers approve.
The takeaway
Open seats reset a district's legislative picture, so following the November 2026 results for District 3 will show whether the Republican hold on the seats holds or shifts after two decades.
What happens next
The proposed increase to the state primary residence tax credit is expected to be considered in the next legislative session.
Further reading
Follow the broader race in North Dakota Elections coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kfyrtv.
Live Poll
Should North Dakota expand its primary residence property tax credit next session?
