US Rep. Kelly Armstrong talks gubernatorial campaign, time in Washington

ar 9, 2024

For the past five years U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong has been North Dakota’s sole legislator in the House of Representatives. He’s now looking to come home — and he wants to do so as the state’s next governor.

Armstrong was the first candidate to enter this year’s governor’s race, launching his bid just one day after Gov. Doug Burgum announced he wouldn’t seek a third term. He’s now facing off against Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller in the Republican primary, which is set for June, though he’s the only one seeking the party’s endorsement at its early April state convention.

Armstrong previously spent six years in the state Senate and three years as the state GOP chair, meaning he has longstanding ties to the state’s government and Republican Party. He told the Tribune he looks forward to potentially bringing his Washington experience to what he calls “the greatest job in all of politics.”

“One of the things we’ll be uniquely situated to do is understand where to pick these fights with the federal government, because we need to,” Armstrong said. “The number one and two industries under attack by what I call the ‘climate zealotry’ in Washington are ag and energy — two pretty important industries to the success of livelihood in North Dakota.”

Armstrong said he is excited by the prospect of continuing his political career in North Dakota. Still, he said his time in Congress has been the “greatest privilege” of his life.

Armstrong describes himself as an “old party guy” and said he views party structure as a pivotal part of any election. He said events such as  district-level conventions have enabled him to connect with “the grassroots of the party.”

He’s seeking the party endorsement next month but he did not win Burgum’s backing, which was reserved for Miller.

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