In North Dakota, the race for the state’s singular House seat is poised to unfold as another clash between the Republican Party’s traditional faction and the Freedom Caucus-aligned insurgent right wing.

Julie Fedorchak, North Dakota Public Service Commissioner, is vying against former state Rep. Rick Becker, a plastic surgeon, in the primary. Fedorchak advocates for maintaining U.S. engagement worldwide, while Becker advocates for reducing U.S. global involvement and opposes most foreign aid.

Fedorchak has garnered support from GOP leaders including Gov. Doug Burgum, former Gov. Ed Schafer, Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND), Attorney General Drew Wrigley, and several state officials, as well as House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY).

On the other hand, Becker has received endorsements from various right-wing leaders at the federal level, including Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Vivek Ramaswamy, and Reps. Bob Good (R-VA), Chip Roy (R-TX), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Scott Perry (R-PA), Thomas Massie (R-KY), Warren Davidson (R-OH), as well as former Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX). Becker previously challenged Hoeven in the 2022 North Dakota Senate race, initially as a Republican and later as an independent.

As of the end of March, Becker significantly surpassed Fedorchak in fundraising, with $828,000 raised throughout the campaign compared to her $449,000. The primary election is scheduled for June 11.

One of the key differences between the two Republicans lies in their foreign policy stance. Fedorchak aligns with traditional conservative views, expressing firm support for ongoing U.S. assistance to Israel and Ukraine. Conversely, Becker advocates for substantial cuts to foreign aid.

Fedorchak emphasizes the importance of providing resources to Israel for its safety and stability, as well as reinforcing stability in the broader Middle East region. While she supports foreign aid, she also stresses the need for oversight to ensure it reaches intended recipients without being misused.

Becker’s position on foreign aid, particularly to adversaries of the U.S., is to scale it back. However, he believes that Israel should be an exception to this policy, at least in the near term, acknowledging its significance as an ally. Nonetheless, he aims for Israel’s eventual self-sufficiency, wary of its dependency on U.S. aid.

While Fedorchak leans towards maintaining strong diplomatic and economic sanctions against Iran and emphasizes U.S. energy independence, Becker advocates for scaled-back military involvement globally and expresses reluctance towards additional aid for Ukraine and Taiwan without comprehensive intelligence briefings.

In addressing domestic concerns like antisemitism, Fedorchak advocates for tougher measures against anti-Israel sentiments on college campuses and calls for a reevaluation of federal aid to institutions supporting such agendas. Becker sees combating antisemitism as primarily a state and local issue, wary of federal intervention.

Their priorities in Washington diverge, with Fedorchak emphasizing her business and public service experience, positioning herself as a problem-solving conservative, particularly in areas like energy policy and border security. Becker, on the other hand, focuses on fiscal responsibility, aiming to rein in federal spending and prioritize American sovereignty over international agreements and organizations.

North Dakota’s Primary Will Be Held on June 11, 2024.