Prairie Public and AARP ND host North Dakota Republican primary debate

Story updated 4/24/24.

AARP North Dakota sponsored a debate with Prairie Public Broadcasting between Lt. Governor Tammy Miller and U.S. Representative Kelly Armstrong on April 23. The candidates are competing to be the Republican gubernatorial candidate in the North Dakota primary election.

The debate was broadcast live on Tuesday, April 23 at 7 p.m. (CT) on Prairie Public radio and television network. You can watch the recording here.

Prairie Public News Director Dave Thompson moderated the one-hour debate.

Josh Askvig, AARP ND State Director, says AARP takes a two-prong approach to voter education.

“First, we provide up-to-date voting information to voters age 50 and older -- making sure they know where to vote, when to vote and keeping them abreast of any changes in their districts or voting locations or procedures.

“We also ensure that candidates understand who these voters are and what they care about. Voters 50 and older are the voting majority in every election, and candidates need to offer solutions to the issues on their minds.”

AARP’s Vital Voices research conducted late in 2023, identified three clear concerns on the minds of older North Dakotans: retirement readiness, the ability to age at home, and affordable healthcare.

“In this debate, we’ll ask Lt. Gov. Miller and Rep. Armstrong about these issues, and we’ll raise the topics most important to our members with other candidates throughout the election season,” Askvig says.

The primary election takes place on June 11, 2024.