Deceased Candidate Wins Election to North Dakota State Legislature

A man who recently died after battling COVID-19 has been confirmed to a seat in the North Dakota state legislature.

David Andahl’s family shared the announcement via his Facebook page, saying, “We are heartbroken, and we ask that he be remembered not by how he died, but by how he lived. David was a kind, caring man whose greatest joy was helping others. He gave generously of his time to his family, friends, neighbors and his community. He has been a public servant for many years and was looking forward to the opportunity to serve in the state legislature.”

Andahl was 55 when he died on Oct. 5, less than a week after he was admitted to the hospital for coronavirus infection, NBC News shared.

Now it appears he has won election to the state House of Representatives.

Fellow Republican candidate Dave Nehring is projected to win the other seat, with about 40.72% of the vote, CNN reported.

Andahl remained on the ballot even after his death because early voting was already well underway, and the ballots could not be changed.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum announced he would be appointing Wade Boeshans to the vacant North Dakota House of Representatives seat. Boeshans is president and general manager of BNI Energy, a coal energy company headquartered in Bismarck.

Burgum’s decision was contested and is currently under “review by other state officials,” North Dakota Secretary of State Alvin Jaeger told ABC News.

North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said Boeshans’ appointment to the legislature was “both inaccurate and untimely” because the results of Tuesday’s election have yet to be certified, and the seat won’t be vacant until the newly elected members begin on Dec. 1.

Please join the Charisma News staff in prayer for those who mourn the loss of David Andahl. {eoa}