But supporters of Cramer would rather focus on votes where Heitkamp broke ranks with the president and his supporters, such as with her vote against the confirmation of recently installed Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh after having voted to confirm the president’s selection of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.

Cramer has pledged to support President Donald Trump 100 percent of the time versus Heitkamp’s 55 percent. While an argument might be made that the president’s agenda aligns with North Dakota more than 55 percent of the time, no credible argument can be made that support of the president’s position on the trade war with China is good for North Dakota. In fact, it is devastating to North Dakota farmers and will have a lasting impact even when it is resolved.

Likewise, no credible argument can be made that standing with the president on health care is good for North Dakota. Cramer has voted numerous times to kill the Affordable Care Act and against the interests of citizens who, but for the Affordable Care Act, would be denied health coverage due to pre-existing conditions.

In the view of the Tribune Editorial Board those two issues alone demand that for the good of North Dakota, and North Dakotans, our senator must, at times, break with the president.

Cramer gives us no reason to believe that he will put the needs of North Dakotans over his loyalty to the president. Heitkamp has made it clear in word and deed that she does, and will continue to do so. For that reason the Tribune Editorial Board is endorsing Heitkamp for a second term.

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