The 1992 United States Senate special election in North Dakota was held on December 4, 1992, to fill the United States Senate seat vacated by the late Quentin Burdick. Burdick's widow, Jocelyn Burdick, was appointed as a temporary replacement until the election was held.
Democratic-NPL nominee Kent Conrad, who held North Dakota's other senate seat since 1986, had not run for re-election to his own seat, holding himself to a campaign promise pledging to reduce the federal deficit. However, as the seat was not technically Conrad's, he opted to run for the now open seat for a second term. Conrad won the election against state representative and future Governor of North Dakota Jack Dalrymple.
On April 2,1992, in a surprise announcement, Kent Conrad announced he would not seek re-election to his seat, keeping a 1986 campaign promise to not run if the federal deficit had not been reduced.[1] However, on September 8, the state's other Senator Quentin Burdick died of heart failure at the age of 84.[2] Burdick's death provided an opportunity for Conrad to return to the Senate on the grounds that it was technically not his seat. Gov. George Sinner endorsed Conrad immediately, promising to lead a draft movement for Conrad.[3] On September 21, Conrad announced his intent to seek the now open seat.[4] On October 4, he officially became the Democratic nominee.[5]
On the Republican side, there had initially been an attempt to draft former senator Mark Andrews for the race.[6] Andrews would ultimately decline on September 26, opting to spend time with his family.[7] The Republican nominee would be Jack Dalrymple, a state representative who ran concurrently in this race with his own re-election campaign.[8] He defeated financial planner David Vanderscoff with 426 votes to 126.[9] Dalrymple saw Conrad's run as a breach of his promise in spirit if not letter. He contended that Conrad had intended to run for Burdick's seat the whole time, and Conrad was a liar.[10] Among other issues, Dalrymple argued in favor of a plan that would guarantee farmers $5 for a bushel of wheat, a plan which Conrad criticized as unrealistic.[8] Dalrymple also tried to attack Conrad for indicating a willingness to cut Medicare in a debate, though Conrad contended he only intended to reduce costs via reform.[11]
A third candidate was Darold Larson, a reverend who ran an anti-abortion campaign, including airing a graphic ad showing aborted fetuses.[12] Ultimately Conrad's high name recognition approval ratings as Senator carried through and he was seen as the clear favorite to secure victory against Dalrymple.[13][14][8] As a result, the biggest concern for both campaigns was getting their supporters to vote due to apathy.[15] Conrad won decisively, albeit with lower turnout statewide, in part due to election fatigue and cold weather.[16][17]
^"Conrad calls it quits". The Bismarck Tribune. April 3, 1992. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2024. Kent Conrad shocked the Senate and his state by announcing Thursday he would keep a promise made six years ago not to seek re-election if the federal budget deficit was out of control. "There is only one right course and that is to keep my pledge," Conrad said in a midday speech on the Senate floor.
^"N.D. senator dies". Record-Journal. Associated Press. September 9, 1992. p. 3. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
^"Conrad will feel a 'draft'". The Bismarck Tribune. September 13, 1992. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2024. Gov. George Sinner Saturday endorsed Sen. Kent Conrad for Quentin Burdick's U.S. Senate seat in the upcoming special election. Sinner said he'll lead a drive to draft Conrad.
^"He will run after all". The Vindicator. Associated Press. September 22, 1992. pp. A3. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
^Cole, Janell (September 16, 1992). "Draft Andrews drive is official". The Bismarck Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2024. A committee of more than 50 Republicans announced Tuesday they are beginning a campaign to draft former Republican Sen. Mark Andrews to run for the unexpired term of the late Sen. Quentin Burdick. Burdick died of heart failure Sept. 8.
^Voskul, Vicki (September 27, 1992). "Andrews says no, GOP field widens". The Bismarck Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2024. Former North Dakota senator Mark Andrews ended speculation about a state Republican Party nomination for the U.S. Senate on Saturday by saying, "'no' to North Dakota", and "'yes' to my family."
^"Dalrymple wins bid". The Bismarck Tribune. October 5, 1992. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2024. Jack Dalrymple, Casselton farmer and state legislator, won the Republican endorsement Sunday in Bismarck for the late Quentin Burdick's U.S. Senate seat, prevailing over Bismarck financial planner David Vanderscoff 426 delegate votes to 126.
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