North Dakota legislature candidate who died from COVID-19 wins election

David Andahl, 55, appears to have won his election for a North Dakota legislature seat despite dying from COVID-19 in October. (David Andahl/Facebook)

A Republican candidate for the state legislature in North Dakota who died from COVID-19 in October won his election Tuesday night.

Election results in North Dakota showed the Bismark-area district going to David Andahl and Dave Nehring. The district chooses two representatives. 

According to the Associated Press, Andahl died due to complications from COVID-19 at the age of 55 in October. He had been sick and hospitalized with the disease.

Andahl and fellow District 8 House candidate Nehring won the Republicans endorsements and voters’ nominations to defeat one of North Dakota’s most powerful lawmakers, Rep. Jeff Delzer, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

Andahl won about 35% of the vote to win the seat. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.