North Dakota state legislature candidate who died due to COVID-19 seems to have won the election

North Dakota: David Andahl, a businessman from North Dakota who passed away on October 5 from COVID-19 appears to have been elected to the State House. The Republication candidate is estimated to have won one of the two seats among four candidates that contested for North Dakota's 8th district. David Andahl received around 35.53% of total votes, as per unofficial results.

Andahl's death this October has raised questions about what would happen if he wins the elections. The North Dakota attorney general stated that the situation would be treated as an official's decision to step down or retire. This means that the Republican party of the district would appoint a representative to fill up the vacant seat.

North Dakota has been facing an alarming spike in the rate of COVID-19 cases since mid-August. On Tuesday, North Dakota reached the peak in a seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases.

David Andahl, a native of Bismarck was a rancher and a retired professional driver. He spent 16 years on the Burleigh County Planning & Zoning Commission, chairing the commission for eight years. He defeated longtime incumbent state Rep. Jefd Delzer in a June primary, with endorsements from North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and US Senator Kevin Cramer.

David Andahl's family announced of his death from COVID-19 virus in a statement issued on his campaign's Facebook page. The Republican candidate was 55. "Our beloved son David passed away yesterday after a short battle with COVID-19," the statement read. "He was very cautious especially because he did have a few health challenges, but he was unable to fend off this disease. We are heartbroken, and we ask that he be remembered not by how he died, but by how he lived."

His family also thanked supporters who played a crucial role in his bid for the state House. "David has been a public servant for many years and was looking forward to the opportunity to serve in the state legislature," the statement read. "We are sad that his wish will not come to pass. We thank all of you who have supported David in the past, and we ask for your continued support and prayers as we make arrangements to celebrate his life."

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