BISMARCK, N.D. – Just a week after N.D. Lieutenant Governor Tammy Miller announced her candidacy for the state’s top job, Gov. Doug Burgum has endorsed her to be his successor.
Miller is competing with U.S. Representative Kelly Armstrong in what is likely to be a fierce battle for the GOP nomination for governor.
North Dakota’s dominant Republican Party will endorse candidates for statewide offices at its convention in April in Fargo, but voters choose the nominees in the June primary.
Miller said she will not attend the convention and will run in the primary. She said she plans to travel the state to “show up, listen, learn and then let every voter in North Dakota decide on the next governor.”
Burgum does not mention Armstrong in his endorsement of Miller, instead focusing on Miller’s list of accomplishments first as CEO of Border States and then as part of his administration.
“Like President Trump and me, Tammy is a political outsider and conservative business leader. I’ve known Tammy for over two decades – and I’ve seen how she leads with purpose and values,” Burgum says.
Miller joined Burgum’s cabinet in 2020 as Chief Operating Officer. She was named Lt. Gov. at the end of 2022 when Brent Sanford stepped down.
Last month, Burgum called Miller “a fantastic lieutenant governor.” He also said “any decisions I make on endorsing will come later, if at all, based on who’s in the race.”
The same day Burgum announced he won’t run again, Miller endorsed Trump for president in an emailed statement.
Republicans have held the governor’s office since 1992. A Democrat has not won a statewide election since 2012.
Democrat Travis Hipsher, a security guard, and independent Michael Coachman, an Air Force veteran and frequent candidate for state office, also recently announced their gubernatorial bids.
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