GOP Rep Won’t Seek Reelection, Will Run For ND Gov

The Associated Press reports:

North Dakota’s sole U.S. House member announced his candidacy on Tuesday for governor of the sparsely populated state, the day after Gov. Doug Burgum said he won’t seek a third term. Republican Rep. Kelly Armstrong is the first to formally announce a campaign in what is expected to be a competitive race among Republicans for the party’s nomination.

His announcement also opens up the state’s sole House seat. Republican former state Rep. Rick Becker and Democrat Trygve Hammer, a military veteran, previously announced runs. Armstrong won reelection to a third term in 2022 with over 62% of the vote against independent Cara Mund, an attorney and former Miss America.

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A relative moderate on LGBTQ issues, Armstrong was among the 46 House Republicans to vote for the Respect For Marriage Act.

As a North Dakota state senator, he supported a failed post-Obergefell attempt to remove a state ban on same-sex marriage.

Armstrong did not join the attempt to overturn Biden’s 2020 election victory, but he has given credence to the Big Lie.

GOP Rep. Kelly Armstrong, serving his 3rd term as North Dakota’s at-large House member, says he’ll run for governor instead of reelection. “North Dakotans will always do better when we are in charge of our own destiny,” @RepArmstrongND said in a statement. https://t.co/xkGs1Vux7K pic.twitter.com/oVIhyx9LKu

— Roll Call (@rollcall) January 23, 2024