Kelly Armstrong
Kelly Michael Armstrong (born October 8, 1976) is an American attorney, businessman, and Republican politician serving as the 34th governor of North Dakota since December 15, 2024.[1][2] A member of the Republican Party, he previously represented North Dakota's at-large district in the United States House of Representatives from January 2019 until his resignation in December 2024 to assume the governorship.[2][3] Armstrong's political career began in the North Dakota State Senate, where he served from 2013 to 2018, including as chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party from 2015 to 2018.[4][2] Born and raised in Dickinson, North Dakota, he graduated from Dickinson High School and earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota.[4][2] Before entering politics, Armstrong practiced law as a partner at Reichert Armstrong Law Firm and held executive roles in family-owned businesses, including the Armstrong Corporation, involved in energy and construction sectors central to North Dakota's economy.[4] In the state senate, he led efforts on DUI reform legislation during his first session, aiming to enhance public safety through stricter enforcement and treatment programs.[5] As a congressman, Armstrong aligned with conservative priorities, earning high scores from organizations like Heritage Action for supporting limited government and energy independence policies.[6] His gubernatorial campaign emphasized fiscal conservatism and resource development, securing the North Dakota Republican Party's unanimous endorsement.[7] Armstrong's ties to the oil and gas industry, through family enterprises, have drawn scrutiny regarding potential ethical conflicts in regulating North Dakota's dominant economic sector, though he maintains such experience benefits state policy-making.[8] Early in his governorship, he vetoed legislation creating a tax credit for prison industries, citing concerns over distorting tax policy incentives.Early life and education
Family and upbringing
Kelly Armstrong was born on October 8, 1976, in Dickinson, North Dakota.[9] He grew up in the city, where his family was involved in the local energy sector; his father, Michael Armstrong, entered the oil and gas business in 1979 through the family-owned Armstrong Corporation, which focuses on exploration, agriculture, and investments.[8] Armstrong's upbringing emphasized sports and outdoor pursuits, including time spent on baseball fields and wrestling mats—activities influenced by his father's membership in the North Dakota Wrestling Hall of Fame—as well as summers at Lake Sakakawea and fall bow hunting.[10][11] He graduated from Dickinson High School in 1995, later coaching American Legion baseball for the Dickinson Roughriders during college summers.[11]Academic background
Armstrong received a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks in 2001.[11][9] He then attended the University of North Dakota School of Law, earning a Juris Doctor in 2003.[1][12] No public records indicate additional advanced degrees or academic honors beyond these qualifications.[13]Pre-political career
Legal practice
Armstrong began his legal career after receiving his Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 2003. He initially practiced in Grand Forks, North Dakota, associating with attorney Alexander Reichert.[11] Following his marriage in 2004, Armstrong relocated to Dickinson and established a second office there for the newly partnered firm, Reichert Armstrong Law Firm, where he served as a partner from 2003 to 2012.[11][13] His practice focused primarily on criminal defense, spanning approximately ten years in North Dakota courts, during which he represented clients in various criminal matters.[13][14][15] The firm's Dickinson office handled cases in criminal law, DUI/DWI, family law, personal injury, immigration, tax litigation, and commercial law, reflecting a general practice with Armstrong contributing across these areas, including family and business law.[16][17] Armstrong developed a reputation for thorough client advocacy, earning respect from fellow attorneys, judges, and law enforcement personnel.[11] By 2011, he reduced his legal commitments to join his family's energy and agriculture business, though he retained his partnership until his election to the North Dakota Senate in 2012.[11][13]Business involvement and energy sector ties
Prior to entering elective office, Armstrong co-founded the Reichert Armstrong law firm in Dickinson, North Dakota, where he practiced primarily criminal defense law while gradually shifting focus to business activities.[11] In 2011, he joined The Armstrong Corporation, his family's energy business founded by his father Michael J. Armstrong in 1975, serving as vice president until 2018.[11] [8] The company, headquartered in Dickinson, engages in oil and gas exploration and production, primarily in the Bakken Formation, alongside interests in agriculture and local investments; it operates as a small family-owned entity that expanded during the Bakken oil boom.[11] [18] By 2012, Armstrong scaled back his legal practice to increase involvement in The Armstrong Corporation, contributing to its operations amid North Dakota's surging oil production, which peaked at over 1.2 million barrels per day in the state by 2019.[19] As vice president, he oversaw aspects of exploration and development in Billings County and surrounding areas, including prospects like the Saddle Butte 3 in Township 142 North, Range 98 West.[20] The firm's activities aligned with the broader energy sector growth, where family-owned operators like The Armstrong Corporation benefited from technological advances in horizontal drilling and fracking that unlocked shale reserves.[8] Armstrong also held personal mineral interests in the Bakken shale, generating royalty income from oil and gas production on leased lands; federal disclosures indicate these assets produced income from multiple wells operated by major firms such as ConocoPhillips and Hess Corporation even prior to his congressional service.[8] [21] His stake in The Armstrong Corporation, through family trusts where he is a beneficiary, further tied his financial interests to the sector's volatility and regulatory environment.[22] These connections positioned him as an advocate for reduced regulatory burdens on domestic energy production during his subsequent political career.[23]Congressional career
2018 election
North Dakota's at-large congressional district became open in the 2018 election cycle after incumbent Republican Representative Kevin Cramer announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on January 25, 2018. State Senator Kelly Armstrong, who had served as chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party from 2015 to 2017, entered the race to succeed Cramer.[24] In the Republican primary held on June 12, 2018, Armstrong secured the nomination with 37,364 votes, or 56.22% of the total, defeating state Representative Tom Campbell, who received 17,861 votes (26.87%), and businesswoman Tiffany Abentroth, who garnered the remaining votes.[25] The primary turnout reflected strong Republican support in the state, where the party holds dominant majorities.[26] Armstrong faced Democrat Mac Schneider, a state senator, and independent Charles Tuttle in the general election on November 6, 2018.[27] He won decisively with 193,568 votes (60.20%), while Schneider received 114,377 votes (35.57%) and Tuttle took the remainder.[27] Voter turnout exceeded 60% of registered voters, consistent with midterm patterns in North Dakota.[28] Armstrong's victory aligned with the state's Republican lean, bolstered by his background in energy law and party leadership.2020 reelection
Armstrong sought reelection to North Dakota's at-large congressional district in 2020 as the incumbent Republican representative. He faced no significant opposition in the Republican primary held on June 9, 2020, receiving 99.5% of the vote with 99,582 votes. In the Democratic–NDL primary, Zach Raknerud advanced with 62.0% of the vote (21,394 votes) over Roland Riemers. Steven Peterson won the Libertarian primary with 78.5% (729 votes). The race was rated as Safe Republican by nonpartisan analysts including the Cook Political Report. Armstrong won the general election on November 3, 2020, defeating Raknerud and Peterson with 69.0% of the vote (245,229 votes) out of 355,598 total votes cast. [29] Raknerud received 27.6% (97,970 votes), while Peterson garnered 3.4% (12,024 votes). The victory margin reflected North Dakota's strong Republican lean in federal races.2022 reelection
In the Republican primary for North Dakota's at-large U.S. House seat on June 14, 2022, incumbent Kelly Armstrong defeated Cara Mund, a Bismarck resident and former Miss America 2018, to secure the nomination. [30] Mund, who had criticized Armstrong's support for certain COVID-19 restrictions and his votes on infrastructure legislation, received limited support in the primary.[31] Armstrong proceeded unopposed by a Democratic candidate in the general election, facing only Mund, who continued her campaign as an independent.[32] On November 8, 2022, Armstrong won reelection to a third term with 218,071 votes (75.3 percent) to Mund's 71,425 votes (24.7 percent), reflecting the district's strong Republican lean.[33] [32] Voter turnout was approximately 290,000, consistent with midterm patterns in the state.[34] The campaign emphasized Armstrong's record on energy independence and opposition to federal overreach, though it drew minimal national attention given the race's predictability.Legislative achievements and committee assignments
Armstrong served on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where she held the position of vice chair of the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security, and the House Committee on the Judiciary during the 118th Congress (2023–2024).[24][35] She also participated in the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government under the Judiciary Committee, focusing on oversight of federal agencies.[24] Earlier assignments included subcommittees under Energy and Commerce such as Energy and Consumer Protection and Commerce.[36] In her committee roles, Armstrong prioritized energy independence, rural infrastructure, and regulatory reform, reflecting North Dakota's reliance on fossil fuels and agriculture. On the Energy and Commerce Committee, she advocated for policies supporting domestic oil and gas production, including opposition to federal moratoriums on leasing.[23] Her Judiciary Committee service involved scrutiny of executive overreach and antitrust issues affecting energy sectors.[37] Notable legislative efforts included sponsoring H.R. 4271, the Promoting Rural Exports Act of 2023, which aimed to streamline export financing for agricultural producers in underserved areas, though it did not advance beyond committee.[38] She also introduced H.R. 9554, the Dakota Water Resources Act Amendments of 2024, to update water management authorizations for western North Dakota projects, but it stalled in committee.[38] Armstrong cosponsored H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, which repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset to restore full benefits for certain public workers, enacted as Public Law 118-273 on January 5, 2025.[24] Three provisions authored by Armstrong were incorporated into the bipartisan Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022 (H.R. 9870), enhancing rural mental health access, suicide prevention data collection, and telehealth expansions for behavioral health—measures tailored to high-suicide-rate regions like North Dakota.[39] She supported broader energy bills, such as those reforming permitting processes to accelerate infrastructure projects, aligning with her state's economic interests.[37] Overall, while few of her sponsored bills became law—a common outcome for representatives outside leadership—her committee influence advanced provisions on energy reliability and public safety.[37]2024 gubernatorial election
Republican primary
U.S. Representative Kelly Armstrong announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for governor of North Dakota on April 27, 2023, positioning himself as a conservative focused on energy production, limited government, and rural interests.[40] His primary challengers included Lieutenant Governor Tammy Miller, endorsed by term-limited incumbent Governor Doug Burgum, and minor candidates such as retired businessman Jay Backes. The contest centered on debates over state spending, property taxes, and Burgum's legacy, with Armstrong criticizing Miller's alignment with Burgum's administration for insufficient fiscal restraint.[41] Former President Donald Trump endorsed Armstrong in May 2024, praising his congressional record on border security and energy policy, which contrasted with Burgum's support for Miller as a continuation of his pro-business governance.[41] The candidates participated in debates, including one hosted by Prairie Public Broadcasting on April 23, 2024, where Armstrong emphasized his legal background and legislative experience in blocking federal overreach, while Miller highlighted her executive role in workforce development and economic recovery post-COVID.[42] Campaign spending exceeded $10 million, funded largely by energy sector donors favoring Armstrong's staunch support for oil and gas deregulation.[43] On June 11, 2024, Armstrong secured the nomination with 67% of the vote (approximately 58,000 votes) to Miller's 28% (about 24,000 votes), with the remainder scattered among other entrants, based on official tallies from the North Dakota Secretary of State.[44] Voter turnout was around 25% of registered Republicans, reflecting a low-stakes primary in a deeply red state where the winner was favored in the general election. Armstrong's victory was called early by the Associated Press, solidifying his path to the governorship amid North Dakota's long Republican dominance.[40]General election and victory
The general election on November 5, 2024, featured Republican Kelly Armstrong and his running mate, state Senator Michelle Strinden, against Democratic-NPL nominee Merrill Piepkorn, a Fargo state senator who switched from the Republican Party in 2022, and independent candidate Michael Coachman.[45][46] Armstrong's campaign centered on bolstering the state's energy sector, maintaining low taxes, enhancing public safety, and promoting family-oriented policies to retain young residents and businesses.[47][48] Piepkorn advocated for increased property tax relief, opposition to certain abortion restrictions, and bipartisan approaches to state funding, while criticizing Armstrong's congressional record as disconnected from local needs.[49] The candidates participated in multiple debates, including events hosted by Prairie Public Broadcasting on October 10 and KFGO radio on October 8, where they clashed over gun regulations—Armstrong defending permitless carry laws and Piepkorn supporting enhanced background checks—and property tax reforms.[50][51] Pre-election polls indicated Armstrong maintained a commanding lead, with one May survey showing him ahead by over 40 points in a hypothetical general matchup, reflecting North Dakota's entrenched Republican voter base and the open seat left by term-limited Governor Doug Burgum.[52][53] Armstrong won decisively, receiving 247,056 votes (68.3%) to Piepkorn's 94,485 (26.1%) and Coachman's 19,341 (5.3%), with results certified by the North Dakota Secretary of State.[54][55] The Associated Press projected Armstrong's victory shortly after polls closed at 9 p.m. ET, extending the state's streak of Republican governors since 1992.[15] Piepkorn conceded that evening, congratulating Armstrong and urging a smooth transition.[45] Armstrong resigned his U.S. House seat on December 14, 2024, to prepare for inauguration as the 34th governor on December 15.[45]Governorship (2025–present)
Inauguration and early administration
Kelly Armstrong was sworn into office as the 34th Governor of North Dakota on December 15, 2024, marking the start of his four-year term.[56] The ceremony occurred ahead of the state's constitutional timeline, with the formal inaugural ball held on January 18, 2025, at the Bismarck Event Center from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.[57][58] The event, free to the public and themed around baseball as "America's favorite pastime," benefited local nonprofits through proceeds and included a schedule of speeches, entertainment, and a first-pitch ceremonial element.[57][59] On January 9, 2025, Armstrong delivered his first State of the State address to the North Dakota Legislature, emphasizing economic opportunities, workforce development, and retaining residents by highlighting career and family-building prospects within the state.[60] In his initial executive actions, he issued Executive Order 2025-01 on an unspecified early date in 2025, dissolving inactive task forces and councils to reduce administrative redundancies.[61] Shortly thereafter, Executive Order 2025-02 authorized the governor's office to appoint a staff member as chair of the state's military commission, enhancing operational flexibility.[61] These orders reflected an early focus on governmental efficiency amid ongoing transition from Armstrong's congressional role, which concluded on December 14, 2024.[62]Key appointments
Upon assuming office on December 15, 2024, Governor Kelly Armstrong prioritized assembling his administration by appointing key staff and retaining experienced leaders from the prior administration. On November 6, 2024, as governor-elect, Armstrong named Roz Leighton, previously chief of staff to Governor Doug Burgum, to serve as his chief of staff, citing her familiarity with state operations.[63][64] He also appointed Christopher Joseph as general counsel and other transition roles to facilitate a smooth handover.[62] On November 20, 2024, Armstrong announced his initial cabinet, blending three new appointees with retentions to maintain continuity in critical areas such as infrastructure, workforce development, and environmental regulation.[65][66] The new appointees included:- Joe Morrissette as director of the Office of Management and Budget, tasked with overseeing state budgeting and fiscal planning.
- Chris Schilken as commissioner of the Department of Commerce, focusing on economic development.
- State Representative Corey Mock, a Democrat, as chief information officer for the Information Technology Department, marking a bipartisan selection to lead cybersecurity and digital infrastructure.[67]