Dusty Johnson wins third congressional term

For second time, Democrats don't field a candidate

Rep. Dusty Johnson gives a victory speech after winning a third term Tuesday Nov. 8, 2022. (Jonathan Ellis/The Dakota Scout)

Rep. Dusty Johnson will serve a third term in Congress following his victory Tuesday night.

The Republican beat Libertarian Collin Duprel. With 107 of 687 precincts reporting, Johnson was winning 78 percent to 22 percent. For the second election cycle, Democrats failed to field an opponent, giving Johnson an easy path to victory after a tough primary victory in June against Republican state lawmaker Taffy Howard.

His margin of victory early Tuesday wasn’t as large as it was in 2020, when he beat Libertarian Randy Luallin 81 percent to 19 percent. That was a reflection of the primary run against Howard, whom he beat 59 percent to 41 percent, and on Duprel, who Johnson acknowledged ran a better campaign than his last opponent.

Johnson drew a huge applause during his victory speech when he said Republican House candidates were beating Democrats across the country.

“This is dozens of seats,” he said. “So many seats there will be a new speaker of the House.”

ELECTION 2022: The Dakota Scout: Our complete election coverage