Rick Becker turns in signatures for independent US Senate run in North Dakota

BISMARCK — North Dakota Rep. Rick Becker, R-Bismarck, has taken a crucial step forward in his late-game independent bid for U.S. Senate. 

Becker turned in what he said were more than 2,500 signatures to Secretary of State Al Jaeger's office on Friday, Sept. 2. 

If Jaeger deems next week that at least 1,000 of the signatures are valid, Becker's name will appear on the November ballot. The conservative candidate told Forum News Service he fully expects to appear on the ballot next to incumbent GOP Sen. John Hoeven and Democratic challenger Katrina Christiansen. 

Last month, Becker surprised political observers when he announced his independent candidacy, departing from the normal partisan process.