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04th Nov 2020

Dead candidate wins state legislature seat in local US election

Wayne Farry

Andahl passed away in October.

As the United States and the wider world watches and waits fervently for the results of the American presidential election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, a number of other election results are emerging across the country.

As results roll in for Senate and Congressional elections, so too are they emerging for more local contests, such as state legislatures across the US.

One such election, in North Dakota has seen David Andahl elected to the state legislature as one of its two representatives.

This would be absolutely fine, had Andahl not died in October from Covid-19 at the age of 55.

“We are sad that his wish will not come to pass,” Andahl’s parents said in a statement.

“David was a kind, caring man whose greatest joy was helping others,” they added. “He has been a public servant for many years and was looking forward to the opportunity to serve in the state legislature.”

Despite passing away almost a month ago, Andahl’s name could not be removed from the ballot, and he received 35 per cent of the vote.