1992 United States Senate special election in North Dakota

Major candidates

Democratic-NPL

• Kent Conrad, U.S. Senator

Republican

• Jack Dalrymple, State Representative

Independent

Darold Larson, reverend

Campaign

On April 2, 1992, in a surprise announcement, Kent Conrad announced he would not seek re-election to his seat, keeping a 1986 campaign promise to not run if the federal deficit had not been reduced. However, on September 8, the state's other Senator, Quentin Burdick, died of heart failure at the age of 84. Burdick's death provided an opportunity for Conrad to remain in the Senate on the grounds that it was technically not his seat. Gov. George Sinner endorsed Conrad immediately, promising to lead a draft movement for Conrad. On September 21, Conrad announced his intent to seek the now open seat. On October 4, he officially became the Democratic nominee.

On the Republican side, there had initially been an attempt to draft former senator Mark Andrews for the race. Andrews would ultimately decline on September 26, opting to spend time with his family. The Republican nominee would be Jack Dalrymple, a state representative who ran concurrently in this race with his own re-election campaign. He defeated financial planner David Vanderscoff with 426 votes to 126. Dalrymple saw Conrad's run as a breach of his promise in spirit if not letter. He contended that Conrad had intended to run for Burdick's seat the whole time, and Conrad was a liar. Among other issues, Dalrymple argued in favor of a plan that would guarantee farmers $5 for a bushel of wheat, a plan which Conrad criticized as unrealistic. Dalrymple also tried to attack Conrad for indicating a willingness to cut Medicare in a debate, though Conrad contended he only intended to reduce costs via reform.

A third candidate was Darold Larson, a reverend who ran an anti-abortion campaign, including airing a graphic ad showing aborted fetuses. Ultimately Conrad's high name recognition approval ratings as Senator carried through and he was seen as the clear favorite to secure victory against Dalrymple. As a result, the biggest concern for both campaigns was getting their supporters to vote due to apathy. Conrad won decisively, albeit with lower turnout statewide, in part due to election fatigue and cold weather.

Debate

Complete video of debate, November 27, 1992

Results

References

References

1. (1992-04-03). "Conrad calls it quits". The Bismarck Tribune.
2. (1992-09-09). "N.D. senator dies". Record-Journal.
3. (1992-09-13). "Conrad will feel a 'draft'". The Bismarck Tribune.
4. (1992-09-22). "He will run after all". The Vindicator.
5. (1992-10-05). "2 nominated for seat of late N. Dakota senator". The News.
6. Cole, Janell. (1992-09-16). "Draft Andrews drive is official". The Bismarck Tribune.
7. Voskul, Vicki. (1992-09-27). "Andrews says no, GOP field widens". The Bismarck Tribune.
8. Wetzel, Dale. (1992-12-05). "Democrat Conrad is victor in last U.S. Senate Election". The Madison Courier.
9. (1992-10-05). "Dalrymple wins bid". The Bismarck Tribune.
10. (2015-05-26). "Democrat Wins Senate Seat in North Dakota - NYTimes.com".
11. (1992-12-04). "Last Senate campaign ends today". The Albany Herald.
12. (1992-12-06). "Conrad wins nation's last U.S. Senate seat". The Victoria Advocate.
13. "Our Campaigns - ND US Senate - Special Election Race - Dec 04, 1992".
14. (1992-11-30). "North Dakota senator favored in special vote". Toledo Blade.
15. Wetzel, Dale. (1992-12-05). "Men fight in last Senate race of '92". Moscow-Pullman Daily News.
16. (2006-12-06). "14 years ago, Wednesday December 9, 1992". The New Salem Journal.
17. "Conrad wins special election for another Senate seat - UPI Archives".
18. [https://vip.sos.nd.gov/pdfs/Abstracts%20by%20Year/1990%20through%201998%20Statewide%20Election%20Results/1992%20Special%20Election/Special%20Election%2012-04-1992.pdf Results] nd.go