Voters in Williston Give Mayor Another Four Years; Punch the Ticket for District 23 Republicans Headed to Bismarck

Williston and Bismarck, ND (KEYZ) It's four more years for Williston's mayor. Unofficial votes have Howard Klug winning yesterday's only contested race in Williston to retain the title of Mayor.

News Radio caught up with the re-crowned mayor as election results trickled in late Tuesday night for reaction to the win over challenger and political neophyte Vincent Finsaas.

"It was the only contested race in the city of Williston. I'm sure it was high profile, and I won. So, I'm feeling pretty good," said Mayor Howard Klug.

Klug, who defeated Finsaas by a margin of 63-percent to 37-percent, says he is ready to get back to work to help the city of Williston continue to prosper.

"I worked hard on this campaign, showed up, went to various events, talked to a lot of different people, and I'm going to be here for the next four years for people to say 'let's do this,' 'tell me what to do here . . . ' I think we're going to be okay."

This term will mark Klug's third term as mayor, having held the office previously since 2014, including through the majority of the boom of the mid 2010's.

With no opposition across the aisle, three Republican candidates from the newly formed District 23 all but punched their way to the state legislature.

"I think it's important and say a 'shout-out' to not only the people in Williston that's come out and voted for us but also the Trenton area because that's all part of our district as well. Thank you for coming out and voting, and [I] appreciate the support," said District 23 Senator Todd Beard in response to those pulling for him and his house colleagues at the polls Tuesday.

Joining Beard in Bismarck will be a duo of state reps who are excited to get to work to represent the residents of District 23.

"I look forward to representing the people of District 23, and I think it's going to be a good time. I think Scott Dyk and Todd Beard are great guys and they're going to do an awesome job," said District 23 Representative Nico Rios.

Rios is joined by fellow member of the junior legislative branch, Scott Dyk, who is also grateful to his future constituents and humbled by the magnitude of the job ahead.

"It's an honor to receive this vote of confidence from the people of District 23, and I don't take it lightly. Politicians think about the next election. Statesmen and stateswomen think about the next generation, and I will be a statesman, not a politician," said Dyk who joins Rios as the second of two representatives in the North Dakota State House.

Large growth as evidenced by the 2020 Census led to the creation of District 23 which covers the northwest side of Williston, Trenton, and Buford.

Note: Results for any race in the June election are not considered final until the Canvassing Board meets on June 27^th. Additionally, with the exception of the city races, all races will appear again on the November 2022 General Election ballot. For any of these races, a write-in campaign could technically change an outcome.