Justice of the Supreme Court North Dakota in Statewide, North Dakota

2026 Primary Election

• Douglas A Bahr — Incumbent Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court in Bismarck, ND

  Douglas A. Bahr currently serves as a Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court, a position he assumed on February 1, 2023, following an appointment by Gov. Doug Burgum to fill a vacancy. Prior to joining the state's highest court, Justice Bahr had a distinguished legal career spanning decades. He served nine years as an Assistant Attorney General and sixteen years as the North Dakota Solicitor General and Director of the Civil Litigation Division. He also gained judicial experience as a District Judge for the South Central Judicial District from 2018 to 2023. Bahr is running as an incumbent in a special primary election for the North Dakota Supreme Court on June 9, 2026, seeking to retain his seat. Born in Corvallis, Oregon, he is married with six children.

• Ariston E Johnson — Attorney in Watford City, ND

  Ariston Johnson is an attorney running for election as judge of the North Dakota Supreme Court in the nonpartisan primary on June 9, 2026. He is challenging incumbent Jerod Tufte for the seat. Johnson earned a high school diploma from Watford City High School before obtaining a bachelor's degree from the University of North Dakota in 2003 and a law degree from William & Mary Law School in 2007. His career experience is in practicing as an attorney at law. Johnson has publicly stated a judicial philosophy that judges should not decide policy or law.

• Jerod Tufte — Incumbent Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court in ND

  Jerod Tufte is an incumbent Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court, seeking re-election in 2026. Born in Minot and educated in West Fargo, his extensive career includes roles as a county prosecutor, legal counsel to the Governor, Judge Advocate in the North Dakota Army National Guard, and a district court judge. Elected to the Supreme Court in 2016, Justice Tufte’s first term prioritized transparency and modernization, including open-records rules and technology integration. He brings an analytical, text-first approach to judging. Running on his proven record, he faces a challenge from attorney Ariston Johnson in the nonpartisan election.