Kelly Armstrong and Michelle Strinden. (Joe Leier/KFGO)
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong won Tuesday’s Republican primary for governor of North Dakota, while longtime public utilities regulator Julie Fedorchak finished first in a rambunctious GOP race for the House seat he will vacate. Each will be in a commanding position for the November general election in the conservative state.
Armstrong, who currently occupies North Dakota’s lone House seat, beat Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller in the race to succeed Republican Gov. Doug Burgum, who did not seek a third term and is under consideration to be former President Donald Trump’s vice presidential running mate.
“We’ve never taken anything for granted in this race. We never take our supporters for granted,” Armstrong said. “We never take North Dakota for granted, and we’re really excited, and we’re excited to move to the next step.”
Fedorchak won a five-way contest between candidates who ranged from seasoned officeholders to little-known contenders. She would be the first woman to hold North Dakota’s House seat.
Also Tuesday, voters approved a high-profile initiative that would bar people from running or serving in the U.S. House or Senate if they are to turn 81 years old during their term.
The GOP primaries are key to winning office in North Dakota, where Democrats have not won a statewide contest since 2012 and Republicans have held the governor’s office since 1992. Some legislative races had only GOP candidates this year, and two GOP state officeholders were running unopposed.
Armstrong, an attorney and former state senator who is serving his third term in the House, had endorsements from the state party and from Trump. Miller did not attend the GOP convention but had Burgum’s endorsement.
Armstrong said he plans to fly back to Washington on Wednesday morning but his campaign will soon reset to focus on the general election. He will face Democratic state Sen. Merrill Piepkorn, who won his party’s primary unopposed.
Independent Michael Coachman, who once tried unsuccessfully to get a Burgum recall, is also seeking the governorship. He was not on the ballot Tuesday and has not yet submitted signatures for November.
The next governor will take office in mid-December, weeks before the biennial legislative session begins. Whoever takes up the post will be tasked with balancing priorities, spending and tax cuts during a time when state finances are healthy, and also considering property tax reform, said Jim Poolman, a former Republican state insurance commissioner, lawmaker and party official.
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