North Dakota Gubernatorial Debate Features Key Issues

Candidates for U.S. House in South Dakota, Republican incumbent Dusty Johnson and Democrat Sheryl Johnson, will participate in a debate moderated by Dakota News Now and South Dakota Public Broadcasting, scheduled for 8 p.m. on October 15. Meanwhile, North Dakota's gubernatorial candidates, including Republican Kelly Armstrong, Democrat Merrill Piepkorn, and independent Michael Coachman, recently debated a controversial ballot measure that would change the process for future voter-initiated amendments to the state constitution. Piepkorn opposes Measure 2, arguing it complicates the initiative process, while Armstrong is undecided but emphasizes the importance of careful constitutional changes. Coachman contends that the Legislature should not control the initiated ballot measure process due to constitutional constraints. In their debates, each candidate discussed broader issues, including abortion and education policies, as they prepare for the upcoming elections.