Haugen suspends ND congressional bid

The Democratic-endorsed candidate for North Dakota’s lone US House seat will be suspending his campaign – after getting some pressure from some party members.

Mark Haugen of Bismarck is opposed to abortion. In the wake of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, some in the party have called for him to step down. Cara Mund of Bismarck says she will be filing petitions to run as an independent for the House seat, and she is pro-choice.

Haugen says he had been receiving a number of calls and texts, asking him to step aside – including from former US Senator Kent Conrad and former Congressman Earl Pomeroy.

Haugen says he and his wife decided to sleep on it – but then chose to suspend the campaign.
The party chairman – Patrick Hart – praised Haugen for making the difficult decision.