Kelly Armstrong

Kelly Armstrong
Official portrait, 2018
Kelly Armstrong
Born	Kelly Michael Armstrong 8 10, 1976
Birthplace	Dickinson, North Dakota, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, lawyer
Known for	34th Governor of North Dakota
Education	University of North Dakota (BA, JD)
Children	2
Website	[Official website Official site]

Kelly Michael Armstrong (born October 8, 1976) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the 34th governor of North Dakota since December 2024. A member of the Republican Party, Armstrong previously represented North Dakota's at-large congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2019 to 2024. Before entering federal politics, he served as a North Dakota state senator from the 36th district from 2012 to 2018 and chaired the North Dakota Republican Party from 2015 to 2018. Born and raised in Dickinson, North Dakota, Armstrong built a career in law before transitioning to public service, steadily rising through state and national politics over the course of a decade. He won the 2024 North Dakota gubernatorial election, defeating Democratic nominee Merrill Piepkorn in the general election after securing the Republican primary on June 11, 2024. As governor, Armstrong has focused on energy policy, rural health care, soil conservation, and education initiatives.

Early Life

Kelly Michael Armstrong was born on October 8, 1976, in Dickinson, North Dakota, a city in the southwestern part of the state in Stark County. He was raised in Dickinson, where his family had roots in the community.

According to a profile in The Dickinson Press, Armstrong initially desired to leave Dickinson but ultimately returned to his hometown, where he established both his legal career and his political life. The trajectory from small-city upbringing to state and national politics was shaped in part by his education and early professional experiences in North Dakota.

Education

Armstrong attended the University of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He continued his education at the same institution, obtaining a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law. His legal training at UND provided the foundation for a career in law that preceded his entry into politics.

Career

Legal Career

After completing his law degree at the University of North Dakota, Armstrong practiced law in Dickinson, North Dakota. His legal background informed his later work in the state legislature and in Congress, where he frequently engaged with issues involving regulatory policy, energy law, and constitutional matters.

North Dakota State Senate (2012–2018)

Armstrong began his career in elected office in 2012 when he was elected to the North Dakota Senate, representing the 36th district. He succeeded George Nodland in the seat and served in the state legislature until November 2018. During his tenure in the state senate, Armstrong engaged with a range of policy issues affecting North Dakota, including energy development and governance.

In June 2015, Armstrong was elected chair of the North Dakota Republican Party, succeeding Robert Harms in the position. He served as state party chair from June 6, 2015, until February 20, 2018, a period during which the Republican Party maintained its dominant position in North Dakota politics. Jim Poolman succeeded him in an acting capacity upon his departure from the chairmanship.

Armstrong's dual role as both a sitting state senator and the chair of the state Republican Party gave him a prominent position within North Dakota's political landscape, laying the groundwork for his subsequent campaign for federal office.

U.S. House of Representatives (2019–2024)

2018 Election

In 2018, after Kevin Cramer vacated North Dakota's at-large congressional seat to run for the United States Senate, Armstrong entered the race to succeed him. He joined a crowded field of Republican candidates seeking the party's endorsement. In April 2018, Armstrong won the Republican endorsement at the state party convention. He subsequently won the general election in November 2018, securing North Dakota's sole seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Tenure in Congress

Armstrong took office on January 3, 2019, as the U.S. representative for North Dakota's at-large congressional district. He served in the House for nearly six years, through three terms, departing on December 14, 2024, when he resigned to assume the governorship. He was succeeded in the congressional seat by Julie Fedorchak.

During his time in Congress, Armstrong was a member of the Republican Study Committee, the largest conservative caucus in the House. He was also associated with the Republican Governance Group, a caucus of center-right Republican members.

Armstrong's legislative record included notable votes on several high-profile issues. In January 2021, he was among a coalition of seven conservative House Republicans who stated they would not challenge the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. This placed him among a smaller group within the Republican conference that opted not to object to the Electoral College certification.

In July 2022, Armstrong was one of 47 House Republicans who voted in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill designed to protect marriage equality at the federal level. Also in 2022, Armstrong spoke in opposition to proposals to expand the Supreme Court of the United States.

In September 2022, the House passed an antitrust bill that raised merger and acquisition filing fees, and Armstrong was among the members who participated in deliberations on the measure.

Throughout his congressional tenure, Armstrong maintained campaign finance filings with the Federal Election Commission.

2024 Gubernatorial Campaign

On January 23, 2024, Armstrong announced that he would not seek reelection to the U.S. House and would instead run for governor of North Dakota in the 2024 North Dakota gubernatorial election. The seat was open due to the departure of incumbent Governor Doug Burgum.

Armstrong won the Republican primary on June 11, 2024, securing the party's nomination. He went on to defeat Democratic nominee Merrill Piepkorn in the November general election, winning by a substantial margin in the heavily Republican state.

Governor of North Dakota (2024–present)

Armstrong was inaugurated as the 34th governor of North Dakota on December 15, 2024, succeeding Doug Burgum. Michelle Strinden serves as his lieutenant governor.

State of the State Address

In his State of the State Address, delivered in January 2026, Armstrong identified rural health care as a primary challenge facing North Dakota, calling for new approaches and describing the issue as demanding action. The address outlined the administration's priorities in addressing health care access in the state's rural communities.

Energy and Environmental Policy

Armstrong has been an advocate for energy development and permitting reform during his tenure as governor. In February 2026, he joined other governors from across the country in calling on Congress to streamline energy permitting processes, reflecting North Dakota's significant role as an energy-producing state.

In January 2026, Armstrong rolled out the Governor's Legacy Soil Health and Habitat Program, a cooperative initiative aimed at improving soil health and wildlife habitat across the state. The program represented a conservation effort connecting agricultural practices with environmental stewardship.

Education Policy

Armstrong announced in January 2026 that North Dakota would participate in a new federal program offering a tax credit for donations to Scholarship Granting Organizations that provide K-12 scholarships. The initiative was intended to expand educational options for North Dakota families.

Food Assistance and Emergency Response

In October 2025, during a federal government shutdown, Armstrong directed more than $1.5 million in state funds to support food assistance programs in North Dakota. He also urged residents to donate to local food pantries to help address increased demand for food services during the federal funding disruption.

Judicial Appointments

In February 2026, Armstrong appointed Fargo attorney Mark Friese to the North Dakota Supreme Court, succeeding retiring Justice Daniel Crothers. Friese, described as a longtime Fargo attorney, was selected by the governor to fill the vacancy on the state's highest court.

Bipartisan Engagement

In February 2026, Armstrong appeared alongside Delaware Governor Matt Meyer, a Democrat, in a joint C-SPAN appearance, reflecting bipartisan engagement on issues of governance.

Personal Life

Armstrong resides in North Dakota. He has two children. Armstrong returned to his hometown of Dickinson after completing his education, establishing his legal practice and raising his family there before entering politics.