Julie Fedorchak Bio
Julie Ann Fedorchak (née Liffrig; born September 28, 1968) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for North Dakota’s at-large congressional district since 2025. A member of the Republican Party, she is the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from North Dakota. Fedorchak previously served on the North Dakota Public Service Commission from 2012 to 2025 and currently resides in Bismarck, North Dakota.
Early Life and Background
Julie Ann Fedorchak was born in Williston, North Dakota, in 1968 to parents Duane and Doris Liffrig. She is the youngest of eight children and grew up in a close-knit family with deep roots in the state. Her father, Duane Liffrig, previously served as Highway Commissioner to former Governor of North Dakota Allen Olson, giving the family an early connection to state government and public service.
Fedorchak later attended the University of North Dakota, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. Her education in communications laid the foundation for a career that would blend media, public affairs, and political service. These formative years in North Dakota shaped her understanding of local issues and the concerns of rural communities across the state.
Path to US Politics
Before entering electoral politics, Fedorchak built a strong professional background in communications and media. She served as communications director for Governor Ed Schafer, working closely with the executive office and gaining firsthand experience in state government operations. She also became a columnist for the Bismarck Tribune, writing about issues affecting North Dakota residents and earning a reputation as a thoughtful voice in the state’s media landscape.
Alongside her media work, Fedorchak served on numerous boards, broadening her network across public, civic, and policy circles. These experiences strengthened her interest in regulatory and energy matters, which would later define her career in public service. In December 2012, Governor Jack Dalrymple appointed her to the North Dakota Public Service Commission, marking her official transition into elected office.
Julie Fedorchak Career
Early Career (2012–2014)
Julie Ann Fedorchak joined the North Dakota Public Service Commission in December 2012 after being appointed by Governor Jack Dalrymple to fill an open seat. She quickly established herself on the commission and won election to the seat in 2014, earning a full term through the voters. Shortly after her election, she was chosen to chair the commission for a two-year term, a sign of early confidence from her colleagues.
Public Service Commission Era (2014–2025)
During her time on the North Dakota Public Service Commission, Fedorchak was re-elected in 2016 and again in 2022, both times by wide margins. She oversaw and assisted the commission in numerous projects and investments related to energy, utilities, and infrastructure across the state. Throughout her tenure, she emphasized transparency and public access to information, helping residents understand complex regulatory decisions.
2024 House Election Breakthrough
In February 2024, Fedorchak announced her entry into the race for North Dakota’s open U.S. House seat. Her main primary opponents included former state Representative Rick Becker, farmer Alex Balazs, activist Sharlet Mohr, and Miss America 2018 Cara Mund. Despite withdrawing from the state party endorsement process, she secured the most state-level endorsements of any candidate, including support from U.S. Senator John Hoeven, Governor Doug Burgum, former President Donald Trump, and more than 50 legislators.
Fedorchak won the Republican nomination on June 11 with 46% of the vote and went on to defeat Democrat Trygve Hammer in the general election by 69% to 30%. With that victory, she became the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from North Dakota and the first Republican woman elected to Congress from the state. She is also the first woman to represent North Dakota in Congress since former Senator Heidi Heitkamp, who served from 2013 to 2019.
U.S. House of Representatives Era (2025–Present)
Fedorchak was sworn in on January 3, 2025, and was chosen in her first term to serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee, where her predecessor had served as vice chair. She is the first freshman member in 14 years to be appointed to the committee, an unusual distinction for a newly elected representative. In this role, she has focused on energy reliability, grid stability, and federal tax policy tied to renewable energy credits.
In her early months in office, Fedorchak hosted a virtual town hall on March 25, 2025, and has since held numerous online town halls to reach constituents across the state. On April 10, 2025, she introduced legislation to remove Inflation Reduction Act tax credits for solar and wind energy, citing reliability concerns. In July of 2025, she voiced strong support for the Big Beautiful Bill and the United States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, and she called for the release of the Epstein Files before joining nearly every other member of Congress in voting to release them in November. Entering 2026, she co-sponsored a bill to ban congressional stock trading and announced plans to introduce legislation withholding congressional pay during government shutdowns.
Notable Events and Milestones
Fedorchak’s most defining milestone is becoming the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from North Dakota, a historic achievement in a state that had never sent a woman to the chamber. Her appointment to the Energy and Commerce Committee in her first term and her leading role on energy policy have also marked her as a prominent voice in the freshman class.
Julie Fedorchak Career Wins
Julie Ann Fedorchak has compiled a strong record of election victories at both the state and federal levels. Her wins include multiple terms on the North Dakota Public Service Commission and a decisive general election victory for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2024.
Election Highlights
Fedorchak first won election to the North Dakota Public Service Commission in 2014, then secured re-election in 2016 and 2022, each time by wide margins. In 2024, she captured the Republican nomination with 46% of the primary vote and won the general election with 69%, a commanding margin that reflected strong support across the state.
Other Wins & Achievements
Beyond elections, Fedorchak was elected chair of the North Dakota Public Service Commission for a two-year term early in her tenure, a notable leadership distinction. She also received endorsements from U.S. Senator John Hoeven, Governor Doug Burgum, former President Donald Trump, and more than 50 state legislators during her 2024 congressional campaign.
Julie Fedorchak Family
Family Background and Public Service
Julie Ann Fedorchak was born to Duane and Doris Liffrig and raised as the youngest of eight children in Williston, North Dakota. Her father, Duane Liffrig, served as Highway Commissioner to former Governor Allen Olson, embedding public service in the family’s identity. Duane later suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and passed away in 2015.
Personal Life
Fedorchak is married to Michael Fedorchak, and the couple has three children. The family has been part of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit congregation in Bismarck for 30 years, reflecting deep ties to their local community and faith tradition.