Rep. Kelly Armstrong secures North Dakota’s Republican nomination, defeating Doug Burgum’s pick, Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller.
Rep. Kelly Armstrong has clinched the Republican nomination for governor of North Dakota, defeating Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller, who was backed by outgoing Governor Doug Burgum. Armstrong’s victory in the primary marks a rare instance of a split between Trump and Burgum, despite their close political alliance.
Armstrong, 47, has represented North Dakota’s at-large congressional district since 2019 and is a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump. Trump threw his support behind Armstrong late last month, praising his strong defense of Trump during his impeachments and labeling him as a “100% MAGA” candidate. Armstrong’s victory comes as Trump has increased his influence in local races, solidifying his political dominance in the state.
Burgum, who has decided against seeking a third term and is considered a potential vice-presidential pick for Trump, endorsed Miller as his successor. However, Armstrong emerged as the favorite among Republicans in the race, leading to the unusual split between the two political figures. Despite their differing endorsements, Burgum congratulated Armstrong and state Public Service Commissioner Julie Fedorchak, who won the GOP primary for Armstrong’s congressional seat.
In his congratulatory message, Burgum expressed confidence in both Armstrong and Fedorchak, emphasizing their commitment to strong conservative leadership. Armstrong will now face state Sen. Merrill Piepkorn, the unopposed Democratic nominee, in the general election. North Dakota has not elected a Democratic governor since 1988, and Armstrong is expected to maintain the state’s strong Republican leaning in the race.
The Republican primary results reflect the continued strength of the MAGA wing within the North Dakota GOP. Armstrong’s leadership in Congress and his ties to Trump’s agenda make him a formidable candidate in the general election.