MINOT — The infighting in the North Dakota Republican Party between traditionally conservative Republicans and populist social warriors continues with a new front opened in Grand Forks-area District 42.

State Rep. Emily O'Brien, who was just reelected last cycle, resigned last month to take a job in Gov. Kelly Armstrong's administration. O'Brien is a moderate Republican who draws particular ire from the populist factions for being one of the women who was harassed by former far-right state Rep. Luke Simons and spoke to me about it on the record.

State law gives the power to fill a legislative vacancy to the district political party of the elected official who caused the vacancy. In the past, a political party choosing a replacement from its own ranks wasn't a particularly controversia

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