By: Michael Achterling
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – Grand Forks-area Republicans selected a University of North Dakota faculty member to fill the legislative seat vacated by Rep. Emily O’Brien.
Dustin McNally, assistant dean of student success for the College of Engineering and Mines at UND, was selected Saturday after multiple rounds of voting by Republican members of District 42.
“I just want all the people in my district to know that I’m listening to them and trying my best to represent their views,” McNally told the North Dakota Monitor on Monday.
O’Brien resigned her seat in August after accepting a position to become the deputy commissioner for the Department of Health and Human Services. She had served in the Legislature since 2017.
McNally challenged Sen. Claire Cory, R-Grand Forks, during the 2024 Republican primary, but failed to secure the party’s nomination after receiving 44% of the vote in the two-way contest.
“I knocked on 1,000 doors, and talked to people and flyered, so people have heard from me and did vote for me,” he said. “I just didn’t get enough votes. So, I think it made sense for me to be the representative because the people know me.”
He said one of the issues he plans to focus on is continuing to reform the state’s property tax system, even after lawmakers expanded the state’s primary residence credit during the 2025 legislative session.
Phyllis Lewis, vice chair for NDGOP District 42, said she didn’t have too many interactions with McNally before Saturday’s vote, but she hopes he’ll keep the district’s conservative values alive as he becomes a state lawmaker.
“We’ll definitely be looking forward to seeing if he does follow through and does what he’s saying,” Lewis said.
McNally, originally from Lisbon, N.D., holds two bachelor’s degrees from UND in mechanical engineering and international studies. He also received a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from UND in 2007, according to the UND website.
After graduation, he worked as an engineer for the Energy and Environmental Research Center at UND before becoming a full-time faculty member in 2013.
McNally said he plans to run for election to the seat during the 2026 election to seek to complete O’Brien’s term that expires in 2028.
When asked what he will bring to the table as a new lawmaker, McNally said one word: leadership. He added he wants to have meetings with Grand Forks residents and start a newsletter to keep people informed about major issues.
“We don’t just want another vote for someone that is just going to vote on bills, but we need a leader in our district, in the Legislature,” he said.
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