BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota News Cooperative) – Voting-age North Dakotans are largely split on support for military action against Iran two months into the deadlocked conflict, according to a new North Dakota Poll.
A total of 50% support the military action in Iran while 46% oppose.
Opposition primarily comes from self-identified Democrats (87% opposing), Independents (53% opposing) and female respondents (49%).
A total of 81% of North Dakota Republicans said they support military action.
President Donald Trump pulled back on negotiations with Iran over the April 25 weekend after declining to send senior envoys to Pakistan for a second round of direct negotiations with officials from Iran.
The stalemate is stalling efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, where U.S. forces are blockading Iranian ports and where potential Iranian strikes disrupt commercial shipping out of the Persian Gulf. The strait is one of the primary shipping routes for global oil and agricultural chemicals.
With the conflict at an impasse, gas prices could remain high for some time.
The current conflict with Iran is the top issue on people’s minds in the state, with 26% saying it is the most pressing issue facing the country at the moment.
“What surprised me was the support for the war in Iran,” said State Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan (D-Fargo). “Because nationally, there’s pretty strong concern.”
Mark Jendrysik, a political science professor at the University of North Dakota, said support is likely higher because impacts haven’t been great in the state.
“There hasn’t been a major effect on people’s lives here other than the jump in gasoline and diesel prices,” he said. “If the war does drag on, then I think that could change a lot of things.”
Asked if they were concerned about how the conflict impacts gas and other energy prices, 64% of North Dakotans said they were very or somewhat concerned.
That concern, however, is not leading to a big change in driving behavior. North Dakota gas prices averaged around $3.64 per gallon and $4.11 nationally on April 27, according to AAA, with the state sheltered from the high prices seen on the West Coast and in the Northeast.
A total of 75% of North Dakotans said they are not taking fewer trips or driving shorter distances because of the increased gas prices, the poll, facilitated by the North Dakota News Cooperative, found.
“There’s certainly a lot of dissociation,” said speaker of the North Dakota House of Representatives Robin Weisz (R-Hurdsfield). “They’re worried about fuel prices, but that’s not going to change anything (with their habits).”
Arik Spencer, CEO and President of the Greater North Dakota Chamber, wasn’t surprised gas costs haven’t impacted driving much.
“Even with ongoing pressure on energy costs, most North Dakotans aren’t pulling back their driving habits,” Spencer said. “That underscores the essential nature of work, commerce, and daily life in our state.”
Over half of those polled, or 53%, said the U.S. should increase domestic production of oil, while 35% said maintaining current production levels was sufficient.
Residents also largely support the U.S. allying with Israel in the conflict, with 54% supporting that alliance. A total of 83% of Republicans support the alliance against Iran, while only 29% of Democrats and only 38% of Independents support it.
The North Dakota Poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida, from April 15 through April 19, 2026. A total of 625 North Dakota adult residents were interviewed statewide by telephone as part of the survey.
Republicans comprised 41% of those interviewed (256), followed by 37% Independents (233) and 22% Democrats (136).
The North Dakota Poll, sponsored by the North Dakota News Cooperative, is the only regular, nonpartisan statewide survey of eligible North Dakota voters and consumers.
The North Dakota News Cooperative is a nonprofit news organization providing reliable and independent reporting on issues and events that impact the lives of North Dakotans. The organization increases the public’s access to quality journalism and advances news literacy across the state.
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