Nelson County, North Dakota

North Dakota Senate District 29

2 candidates are tracked for North Dakota Senate District 29 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: John Kelly and Terry M Wanzek. Candidate information follows official Nelson County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

John Kelly (Democratic-NPL), Terry M Wanzek (R) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Dakota Senate District 29. Terry M Wanzek is the sitting member, per the Legislative Assembly's members-by-district roster. Party nominees were chosen at the June 9, 2026 primary, per the North Dakota Secretary of State's 2026 general-election candidate list.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Terry M Wanzek, is on the ballot.

North Dakota › Nelson County › North Dakota Senate District 29

John Kelly

Democratic-NPL

Biography

John Kelly is the Democratic-NPL candidate for North Dakota Senate District 29, challenging sitting Sen. Terry M. Wanzek. Kelly, of Pekin, holds a BS in business administration from Norwich University, per the Jamestown Sun. Kelly was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged as a lieutenant colonel, per the Jamestown Sun. After retiring from farming in 1999 Kelly worked in retail and became a certified nurse assistant, retiring in 2022, per the Jamestown Sun. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.

Terry M Wanzek

R Incumbent

Biography

Terry M Wanzek is the Republican incumbent for North Dakota Senate District 29. Wanzek is a farmer, rancher and businessman in Jamestown, per the North Dakota Legislative Assembly. Wanzek holds a BA from the University of Jamestown and has served on the Board of Governors of the University of Jamestown and the board of Jamestown Regional Medical Center, per the North Dakota Legislative Assembly. Wanzek first served in the House starting in 1993 and has served in the Senate since 1995, including as President Pro Tempore in 2013. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.

Next on your ballotNorth Dakota House District 29

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Questions about this race

Who is running for North Dakota Senate District 29 in 2026?

When is the North Dakota Senate District 29 election in North Dakota?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for North Dakota are on the North Dakota election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Nelson County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Nelson County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official North Dakota election office, or see the full Nelson County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Nelson County ballot

5 tracked races in Nelson County, North Dakota. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

North Dakota District Court, Northeast Central Judicial District, Judgeship No. 2 North Dakota District Court, Northeast Central Judicial District, Judgeship No. 5 North Dakota District Court, Northeast Central Judicial District, Judgeship No. 6 See all 5 Nelson County races

Candidate profiles

John Kelly, full profile Terry M Wanzek, full profile Official North Dakota election office