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Kelly Armstrong
Armstrong in 2018
34th Governor of North Dakota
Incumbent
Assumed office December 15, 2024
Lieutenant	Michelle Strinden
Preceded by	Doug Burgum
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Dakota's at-large district
In office January 3, 2019 – December 14, 2024
Preceded by	Kevin Cramer
Succeeded by	Julie Fedorchak
Chair of the North Dakota Republican Party
In office June 6, 2015 – February 20, 2018
Preceded by	Robert Harms
Succeeded by	Jim Poolman (acting)
Member of the North Dakota Senate from the 36th district
In office December 1, 2012 – November 8, 2018
Preceded by	George Nodland
Succeeded by	Jay Elkin
Personal details
Born	Kelly Michael Armstrong (1976-10-08) October 8, 1976 (age 48) Dickinson, North Dakota, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Kjersti Høiby ​(m. 2004)​
Children	2
Education	University of North Dakota (BA, JD)
Armstrong's voice Armstrong opposing Supreme Court expansion Recorded July 13, 2022

Kelly Michael Armstrong (born October 8, 1976) is an American lawyer and politician serving since 2024 as the 34th governor of North Dakota. A member of the Republican Party, he served from 2019 to 2024 as the U.S. representative for North Dakota's at-large congressional district. He also served from 2012 to 2018 as the North Dakota state senator from the 36th district and from 2015 to 2018 as chair of the North Dakota Republican Party. On January 23, 2024, he announced he would not seek reelection to the House and would instead run in the 2024 North Dakota gubernatorial election. Armstrong won the Republican primary on June 11, 2024, and defeated Democratic nominee Merrill Piepkorn in the general election.

Early life and education

Armstrong graduated from Dickinson High School in 1995. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of North Dakota in 2001 and a Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 2003, after spending his first year of law school at the College of William & Mary. He is a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.

Career

Before his election to Congress, Armstrong was a partner at Reichert Armstrong, with offices in Grand Forks and Dickinson. He served from 2013 to 2018 as the North Dakota state senator from the 36th district and chaired the North Dakota Republican Party from 2015 to 2018.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2018

In February 2018, Armstrong announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives. He was endorsed by the North Dakota Republican Party at its state party convention in April 2018. Armstrong won the November 6 election with 60.2% of the vote. He resigned his seat in the North Dakota Legislature on November 7 and took office in Congress in January 2019, replacing Kevin Cramer, who was elected to the United States Senate.

2020

Armstrong was reelected with 68.96% of the vote.

2022

Armstrong was reelected with 62.2% of the vote.

Tenure

Armstrong was one of a coalition of seven Republicans who did not support their colleagues' efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election on January 6, 2021. These seven signed a letter that, while giving credence to election fraud allegations made by President Donald Trump, said Congress did not have the authority to influence the election's outcome.

On July 19, 2022, Armstrong and 46 other Republican representatives voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, which would codify the right to same-sex marriage in federal law. Armstrong was nearly censured in a 26–28 vote during a state party meeting for his vote. In September 2022, Armstrong was one of 39 Republicans to vote for the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022, an antitrust package that would crack down on corporations for anti-competitive behavior. On June 14, 2023, Armstrong voted to table the first censure bill against Adam Schiff, finding the $16 million fine excessive. Former president Donald Trump called for all 20 Republicans who voted against the bill to be "primaried". Armstrong supported the second attempt a week later when the fine was removed.

Armstrong voted to provide Israel with support following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. In November 2023, he voted against censuring Representative Rashida Tlaib on the grounds of antisemitism after her criticism of Israel. Later that month, he was picked to fill the vacancy on the House Judiciary Committee left by Mike Johnson's election as Speaker of the House. In December 2023, Armstrong joined 105 House Republicans in voting to expel George Santos after a House ethics committee concluded that he had broken federal law. On December 14, 2024, Armstrong submitted his letter of resignation from Congress effective at midnight that night in order to take office as governor of North Dakota the next day. He added: "It's been an honor. Time to go home."

Committee assignments

• Committee on Energy and Commerce (Vice Chair)
  • Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security
  • Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce
  • Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
• Committee on the Judiciary
  • Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties
  • Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship
  • Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law
• Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government

Caucus memberships

• Republican Governance Group
• Friends of Norway Caucus (co-chair)
• Fire Services Caucus
• Bipartisan Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Task Force
• Air Force Caucus
• Coal Caucus
• Rural Broadband Caucus
• Northern Border Caucus
• Northern Border Security Caucus
• National Guard and Reserve Caucus
• Caucus on Youth Sports
• Sportsmen's Caucus
• Republican Study Committee

Governor of North Dakota

2024 gubernatorial election

On January 23, 2024, Armstrong announced he would not run for reelection, instead opting to run for governor of North Dakota after incumbent Doug Burgum announced he would not run for a third term. He said he would focus on lower taxes, cutting regulations, and bolstering the state's workforce.

Armstrong faced Lieutenant Governor Tammy Miller in the primary for the North Dakota Republican Party endorsement. Armstrong and Miller had an aggressive primary battle, with Armstrong the first to release attack ads. He was later criticized for releasing an ad calling Miller "Tall-Tale Tammy" in which he used Artificial Intelligence-generated sources. Armstrong was endorsed by Secretary of State Michael Howe and U.S. senator John Hoeven. Burgum endorsed Miller, saying North Dakota did not need a lawyer in the office. Armstrong won the primary and chose state representative Michelle Strinden as his running mate.

Armstrong defeated Democratic-NPL candidate Merrill Piepkorn and independent Michael Coachman in the general election with 68.3% of the vote. Piepkorn received 26% and Coachman 5.6%.

Tenure

In accordance with the North Dakota Constitution, Armstrong and Strinden took office as governor and lieutenant governor on December 15, 2024. One of Armstrong's first actions as governor was to fill the vacant seat on the North Dakota Public Service Commission left by his congressional successor, Julie Fedorchak. Armstrong chose commission staffer Jill Kringstad to fill the seat.

Before the beginning of the legislative session, Armstrong proposed a plan to eliminate property taxes in the state, which was first addressed publicly by the failed measure 4 ballot in 2024. The plan involved using money from the Legacy Fund to cover the cost of primary residence property taxes, more tax credits for seniors and people with disabilities, and a 3% cap on increases to any property tax. Armstrong testified before the house finance and taxation committee in support of his plan, put into legislation by representative Mike Nathe.

Armstrong received backlash for ordering flags to be flown at full staff on inauguration day after President Joe Biden ordered all flags at half staff in observance of Jimmy Carter's death. Armstrong said the flag will return to half staff after the inauguration.

Political positions

Abortion

Armstrong received an A+ rating from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America for voting consistently against abortion rights.

During a debate against Cara Mund in 2022, Armstrong said he supports Dobbs, the U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. He also said he does not support a federal abortion ban.

Election integrity

Armstrong was one of seven Republicans who did not support their colleagues' efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election on January 6, 2021. These seven signed a letter that, while giving credence to election fraud allegations made by President Donald Trump, said Congress did not have the authority to influence the election's outcome.

Armstrong was generally critical of a ballot measure that would require all ballots to be counted by hand and on paper, saying, "I don't think you can get it done. And, it turns out, it's less accurate."

Gun rights

Armstrong said he does not support most gun control legislation, and that he would not support a ban on binary triggers like those used in the 2023 shooting of Fargo police officers.

Armstrong is an avid hunter.

LGBT rights

In 2022, Armstrong was one of 47 republicans who went against the party and voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, which codified the right to same-sex marriage into federal law.

During a debate with Merrill Piepkorn in 2024, Armstrong said there is a difference between gender identity and biology and that he doesn't support transgender students playing on sports teams that align with their gender identity. But, he added, "Dress however you want. Be who you want to be. This country is a fantastic, weird place, and I think it is great."

Taxes

Besides his property tax reform plan, Armstrong publicly opposed Measure 4 in 2024, which would have completely eliminated state and local governments' power to levy property tax. One PAC associated with Armstrong funneled thousands of dollars into anti-measure 4 efforts.

Personal life

Armstrong met his wife Kjersti, a Norwegian citizen, while the two were at UND. They married in 2004 and have two children. Kjersti became a U.S. citizen in 2021.

Electoral history

References

1. "Kelly Armstrong's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
2. "North Dakota New Members 2019". The Hill. November 15, 2018.
3. Nazzaro, Miranda (January 23, 2024). "North Dakota lawmaker running for governor". The Hill. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
4. "North Dakota Governor Primary Election Results". The New York Times. June 11, 2024. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
5. Grandstrand, Katherine (December 20, 2012). "District 36 representation: All Kelly Armstrong wanted was to get away, but Dickinson is home". The Dickinson Press. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
6. "Senator Kelly M. Armstrong". Bismarck, North Dakota: North Dakota Legislature. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
7. "Sen. Kelly Armstrong of Dickinson elected chair of ND Republican Party". Grand Forks Herald. Forum News Service. June 6, 2015. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
8. Dura, Jack (February 22, 2018). "Armstrong joins packed House race". The Clarion-Ledger.
9. Monk, Jim (April 7, 2018). "Armstrong wins GOP House endorsement". The Mighty 790 KFGO. Archived from the original on November 8, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
10. Wasserman, David; Flinn, Ally (November 7, 2018). "2018 House Popular Vote Tracker". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
11. "OFFICIAL (WITHOUT RECOUNTS) 2020 GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS: Representative in Congress". North Dakota Election Officials. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
12. "Unofficial 2022 General Election Results". North Dakota Secretary of State. November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
13. Budryk, Zack (January 3, 2021). "Coalition of 7 conservative House Republicans says they won't challenge election results". The Hill. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
14. Schnell, Mychael (July 19, 2022). "These are the 47 House Republicans who voted for a bill protecting marriage equality". The Hill. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
15. "Port: NDGOP rids itself of code of conduct, nearly censures Rep. Kelly Armstrong". InForum. October 16, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
16. "House passes antitrust bill that hikes M&A fees as larger efforts targeting tech have stalled". CNBC. September 29, 2022.
17. "H.R. 3843 (117th): Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022 -- House Vote #460 -- Sep 29, 2022". GovTrack.us.
18. Baumgarten, April (June 20, 2023). "Trump calls for North Dakota's Kelly Armstrong to 'immediately be primaried'". Inforum. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
19. Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
20. Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
21. Gick, Justin (November 5, 2023). "Rep. Kelly Armstrong one of 23 Republicans voting not to censure Rep. Tlaib on Israel comments". www.kfyrtv.com.
22. Janke, Ryan. "Armstrong to fill seat vacated by new U.S. Speaker of the House, announces re-election".
23. "Rep. Kelly Armstrong Recommended To Take Speaker Johnson's Judiciary Seat". November 14, 2023.
24. Sweeney, Pat. "Armstrong votes for, Fischbach votes against ousting Santos".
25. Skurzewski, Joe. ""Time to go home": Kelly Armstrong submits resignation from Congress". KFYR. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
26. "Homepage of Republican Governance Group". Republican Governance Group. December 14, 2019.
27. "Membership". Republican Study Committee. December 6, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
28. "Kelly Armstrong will run for North Dakota governor, giving up state's sole House seat". POLITICO. January 23, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
29. "Kelly Armstrong, North Dakota's lone congressman, runs for governor". San Diego Union-Tribune. January 23, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
30. "Kelly Armstrong highlights campaign themes at Fargo kickoff event". InForum. January 26, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
31. "Port: Here's a preview of the mud that's about to be slung in North Dakota's gubernatorial primary". InForum. March 18, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
32. "Port: Armstrong rips 'Tall Tale' Tammy Miller; her campaign says that's 'a whole lot of B.S.'". InForum. March 20, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
33. Gick, Justin (April 2, 2024). "Hoeven endorses Armstrong for governor". Retrieved April 4, 2024.
34. "Burgum suggests Armstrong isn't the right choice for governor; Armstrong responds". March 11, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
35. "Endorsed for governor by North Dakota GOP, Kelly Armstrong taps Fargo's Michelle Strinden as running mate". InForum. April 6, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
36. Haney, Don. "Piepkorn makes campaign for governor official". The Mighty 790 KFGO | KFGO. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
37. "North Dakota Governor Election 2024 Live Results: Kelly Armstrong Wins". www.nbcnews.com. November 14, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
38. https://www.governor.nd.gov/news/armstrong-appoints-jill-kringstad-succeed-fedorchak-north-dakota-public-service-commission
39. https://www.kvrr.com/2025/01/06/gov-kelly-armstrong-announces-jill-kringstad-as-new-public-service-commissioner/
40. https://www.kfyrtv.com/2025/01/06/jill-kringstad-appointed-serve-public-service-commission/
41. https://ballotpedia.org/North_Dakota_Initiated_Measure_4,_Prohibit_Taxes_on_Assessed_Value_of_Real_Property_Initiative_(2024)
42. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/14/north-dakota-kelly-armstrong-property-taxes/c2498ffc-d2a8-11ef-9835-51843d9371d6_story.html
43. https://www.livenowfox.com/news/north-dakota-property-tax-proposal
44. https://northdakotamonitor.com/2025/01/07/north-dakota-governor-unveils-bold-property-tax-plan-in-first-state-of-the-state-address/
45. https://www.governor.nd.gov/news/armstrong-outlines-property-tax-relief-and-reform-plan-2025-state-state-address-legislature
46. https://apnews.com/article/north-dakota-kelly-armstrong-property-taxes-f12147f47e3c4216e0bb77b14c5d7cb8
47. https://www.newser.com/story/362505/north-dakota-governor-proposes-ending-property-taxes.html
48. https://news.prairiepublic.org/local-news/2025-01-15/house-committee-looking-at-property-tax-relief-and-reform
49. https://weartv.com/news/local/flag-protocol-debate-intensifies-as-inauguration-day-meets-jimmy-carter-mourning-period
50. https://www.inforum.com/opinion/columns/port-armstrong-acquiescing-to-trumps-flag-edict-just-feels-un-american
51. https://www.inforum.com/news/north-dakota/north-dakota-gov-kelly-armstrong-orders-flags-to-fly-at-full-staff-for-trumps-inauguration
52. https://sbaprolife.org/representative/kelly-armstrong
53. https://www.inforum.com/news/north-dakota/armstrong-mund-clash-on-abortion-campaign-finance-in-fiery-final-debate
54. Budryk, Zack (January 3, 2021). "Coalition of 7 conservative House Republicans says they won't challenge election results". The Hill. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
55. https://northdakotamonitor.com/2024/03/12/armstrong-says-experience-is-a-strength-in-bid-to-be-north-dakotas-next-governor/
56. https://northdakotamonitor.com/2024/10/08/armstrong-piepkorn-differ-on-gun-laws-during-second-gubernatorial-debate/
57. https://kfgo.com/2024/12/19/habitat-and-hunting-access-summit-recording-available/
58. https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3566600-these-are-the-47-house-republicans-who-voted-for-a-bill-protecting-marriage-equality/
59. https://www.inforum.com/opinion/columns/port-republican-congressman-armstrong-says-hell-vote-to-codify-federal-recognition-of-same-sex-marriage
60. https://www.inforum.com/news/north-dakota/candidates-clash-over-abortion-gun-rights-transgender-issues-in-2nd-north-dakota-governors-debate
61. https://northdakotamonitor.com/2024/10/04/armstrong-opposes-measure-4-but-says-property-tax-reform-should-be-priority/
62. https://www.inforum.com/opinion/columns/port-pac-affiliated-with-kelly-armstrong-comes-out-swinging-against-measure-4
63. https://www.governor.nd.gov/governor-kelly-armstrong
64. https://www.thedickinsonpress.com/community/wife-of-north-dakota-congressman-becomes-a-us-citizen
65. Johnson, Cheryl L. (February 28, 2019). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 6, 2018". Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
66. "Statewide Election Results". North Dakota Secretary of State. November 12, 2020.
67. "Official 2022 General Election Results". North Dakota Secretary of State. November 8, 2022. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
68. "2024 Republican Governor primary election Results". Associated Press News. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
69. "North Dakota Secretary of State". results.sos.nd.gov.

External links

• Congressman Kelly Armstrong official U.S. House website
• Kelly Armstrong for Congress official campaign site
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
• Profile at Vote Smart
• Profile at the North Dakota Legislature
• Appearances on C-SPAN

v t e Governors and lieutenant governors of North Dakota
Governors	J. Miller A. Burke Shortridge Allin Briggs Devine Fancher White Sarles J. Burke Hanna Frazier Nestos Sorlie Maddock Shafer Langer O. Olson Moodie Welford Langer Moses Aandahl Brunsdale Davis Guy Link A. Olson Sinner Schafer Hoeven Dalrymple Burgum Armstrong
Lieutenant governors	Dickey Allin Wallace Worst Devine Bartlett Lewis Burdick Kraabel Fraine Kraabel Wood Hyland Maddock Carr Olson Welford Thoresen Patterson Oscar Hagen Holt Dahl Schnell Dahl Duffy Dahl Hagen Wenstrom Tighe Larsen Sanstead Sands Meiers Omdahl Myrdal Dalrymple Wrigley Sanford T. Miller Strinden

v t e Members of the United States House of Representatives from North Dakota
One seat at-large (1889–1903)	Hansbrough Johnson Spalding Marshall
Two seats at-large (1903–1913)	Seat A Marshall Hanna Seat B Spalding Gronna Helgesen
Three districts (1913–1933)	1st district Helgesen Baer Burtness 2nd district Young Hall 3rd district Norton Sinclair
Two seats at-large (1933–1963)	Seat A Sinclair U. Burdick Robertson U. Burdick Q. Burdick Nygaard Seat B Lemke Robertson Lemke Aandahl Krueger Short
Two districts (1963–1973)	1st district Nygaard Andrews 2nd district Short Redlin Kleppe Link
One seat at-large (1973–present)	Andrews Dorgan Pomeroy Berg Cramer Armstrong Fedorchak

• 1976 births
• 21st-century American lawyers
• 21st-century members of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly
• 21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives
• 21st-century North Dakota politicians
• Living people
• North Dakota lawyers
• People from Dickinson, North Dakota
• Republican Party governors of North Dakota
• Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from North Dakota
• Republican Party North Dakota state senators
• State political party chairs of North Dakota
• University of North Dakota alumni