North Dakota state Representative Liz Conmy (D-Fargo) and a pilot were killed when their small plane crashed shortly after takeoff near Crystal Airport in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, on Saturday. The Beech F33A aircraft caught fire upon impact, and emergency crews extinguished the blaze. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the crash.
Conmy, who was running for reelection in District 11, will remain on the June 9 primary ballot but will not appear on the general election ballot in November. The North Dakota Secretary of State’s Office stated that the deadline to withdraw from the election had passed before her death. Mail-in ballots had already been sent to some voters.
If Conmy and fellow Democrat Anastassiya Andrianova are the top two vote-getters in the primary, Andrianova will be the only Democratic candidate on the general election ballot. If two other Democratic candidates receive more votes than Conmy, their names will advance to the general election. Certified write-in candidates can declare a party affiliation or run as independents, but uncertified write-in votes will not be counted.
Conmy’s death has drawn widespread condolences. North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong (R) directed all U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff on the day of her interment. State Sen. Tim Mathern (D) described Conmy as a friend and former running mate, praising her work ethic and dedication. The North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party also released a statement mourning her loss, highlighting her advocacy for public education, the environment, and transparency.
Conmy is survived by four children. The pilot, a friend of Conmy’s, has not been publicly identified. A neighbor near the crash site reported feeling the house shake upon impact and called 911 for assistance.