Kelly Armstrong

Not to be confused with the Canadian writer Kelley Armstrong.

Kelly Armstrong
Official portrait, 2018
Governor-elect of North Dakota
Assuming office
December 15, 2024
LieutenantMichelle Strinden
SucceedingDoug Burgum
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from North Dakota's at-large district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2019
Preceded byKevin Cramer
Chair of the North Dakota Republican Party
In office
June 6, 2015 – February 20, 2018
Preceded byRobert Harms
Succeeded byRick Berg
Member of the North Dakota Senate
from the 36th district
In office
December 1, 2012 – November 8, 2018
Preceded byGeorge Nodland
Succeeded byJay Elkin
Personal details
Born
Kelly Michael Armstrong

(1976-10-08) October 8, 1976 (age 48)
Dickinson, North Dakota, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Kjersti Høiby
​
(m. 2004)​
Children2
EducationUniversity of North Dakota (BA, JD)
WebsiteHouse website
Kelly Armstrong's voice
Kelly Armstrong speaks in opposition to Supreme Court expansion
Recorded July 13, 2022

Kelly Michael Armstrong (born October 8, 1976)[1][2] is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for North Dakota's at-large congressional district since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the North Dakota state senator from the 36th district from 2012 to 2018 and chair of the North Dakota Republican Party from 2015 until 2018. On January 23, 2024, he announced he would not seek re-election to the House, and would instead run in the 2024 North Dakota gubernatorial election.[3] Armstrong won the Republican primary on June 11, 2024, and defeated Democratic nominee Merrill Piepkorn in the general election.[4]

Early life and education

Armstrong graduated from Dickinson High School in 1995. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of North Dakota in 2001 and a Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 2003, after spending his first year of law school at the College of William & Mary.[5] He is a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.

Career

Armstrong was a partner at Reichert Armstrong, with offices in Grand Forks and Dickinson, before his Congressional election. He served as the North Dakota State Senator from the 36th district from 2013 to 2018[6] and chaired the North Dakota Republican Party from 2015 to 2018.[7]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2018

Main article: 2018 United States House of Representatives election in North Dakota

In February 2018, Armstrong announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives.[8] He was endorsed by the North Dakota Republican Party at its state party convention in April 2018.[9] Armstrong won the November 6 election with 60.2% of the vote.[10] He resigned his seat in the North Dakota Legislature on November 7 and took office in Congress in January 2019, replacing Kevin Cramer, who was elected to the United States Senate.

2020

Main article: 2020 United States House of Representatives election in North Dakota

Armstrong ran for reelection and won on November 3, with 68.96% of the vote.[11]

2022

Main article: 2022 United States House of Representatives election in North Dakota

Armstrong won reelection on November 8, receiving 62.2% of the vote.[12]

Tenure

Armstrong was one of a coalition of seven Republicans who did not support their colleagues' efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election on January 6, 2021. These seven signed a letter that, while giving credence to election fraud allegations made by President Donald Trump, said Congress did not have the authority to influence the election's outcome.[13]

On July 19, 2022, Armstrong and 46 other Republican representatives voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, which would codify the right to same-sex marriage in federal law.[14] Armstrong was nearly censured in a 26–28 vote during a state party meeting for his vote.[15]

In September 2022, Armstrong was one of 39 Republicans to vote for the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022, an antitrust package that would crack down on corporations for anti-competitive behavior.[16][17]

On June 14, 2023, Armstrong voted to table the first censure bill against Adam Schiff, finding the $16 million fine in the first censure to be an excess of congressional power. Former President Donald Trump called for all twenty Republicans who voted against to be "primaried". He would support the second attempt a week later when the text was removed.[18]

Armstrong voted to provide Israel with support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[19][20]

During November 2023, Armstrong voted against the censuring of Democratic representative Rashida Tlaib on the grounds of antisemitism after her comments against Israel.[21] Later in the month, Armstrong was picked to fill the empty seat in the House judiciary committee left when member Mike Johnson was elected Speaker of the House, which was followed by his re-election announcement.[22][23]

In December 2023, Armstrong joined 105 House Republicans in voting to expel George Santos after a House ethics committee report conclusion that he had broken federal law.[24]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

  • Republican Governance Group[25]
  • Friends of Norway Caucus (co-chair)
  • Fire Services Caucus
  • Bipartisan Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Task Force
  • Air Force Caucus
  • Coal Caucus
  • Rural Broadband Caucus
  • Northern Border Caucus
  • Northern Border Security Caucus
  • National Guard and Reserve Caucus
  • Caucus on Youth Sports
  • Sportsmen's Caucus
  • Republican Study Committee[26]

Governor of North Dakota

2024 gubernatorial election

On January 23, 2024, Armstrong announced he would not run for re-election, instead opting to run for Governor of North Dakota after incumbent Doug Burgum announced he would not run for a third term.[27][28]

He declared the points he would focus on as lower taxes, cutting regulations, and bolstering the states workforce.[29] Armstrong would win the North Dakota Republican Party endorsement and chose state rep. Michelle Strinden to be his Lt. Governor.[30]

Armstrong challenged Lt. Governor Tammy Miller in the primary for the Republican Party's nomination for Governor.[31] He would defeat Miller in the primary by a margin of 73.2% to 26.2%.

Armstrong and Miller held an aggressive primary battle, with Armstrong being the first to release attack ads.[32] Armstrong would later receive criticism for releasing an ad calling Miller “Tall-Tale Tammy” in which he used Artificial Intelligence-generated sources.[33] Armstrong had received endorsements from Secretary of State Michael Howe and U.S. Senator John Hoeven.[34] Miller, however, received Governor Burgum’s support, stating North Dakota did not need a lawyer in the office.[35]

Armstrong would go on to face Democratic-NPL candidate Merrill Piepkorn and independent Michael Coachman in the general election.[36] Armstrong would win the election with 68.3% of the vote. Piepkorn would receive 26% and Coachman 5.6%.[37]

Electoral history

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kelly Armstrong 37,054 56.23
Republican Tom Campbell (withdrawn) 17,692 26.85
Republican Tiffany Abentroth 5,877 8.92
Republican Paul Schaffner 5,203 7.90
Republican Write-Ins 75 0.11
Total votes 65,901 100.00
2018 North Dakota's at-large congressional district election[38]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kelly Armstrong 193,568 60.20% −8.93%
Democratic–NPL Mac Schneider 114,377 35.57% +11.82%
Independent Charles Tuttle 13,066 4.06% N/A
Write-in 521 0.16% N/A
Total votes 321,532 100.00%
Republican hold
2020 North Dakota's at-large congressional district election[39]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kelly Armstrong (incumbent) 245,229 68.96% +8.76%
Democratic–NPL Zach Raknerud 97,970 27.55% −8.02%
Libertarian Steven Peterson 12,024 3.38% N/A
Write-in 375 0.11% -0.05%
Total votes 355,598 100.00%
Republican hold
2022 North Dakota's at-large congressional district election[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kelly Armstrong (incumbent) 148,399 62.20% –6.76
Independent Cara Mund 89,644 37.57% N/A
Write-in 543 0.23% +0.12
Total votes 238,586 100.00%
Republican hold
2024 North Dakota Republican gubernatorial primary election[41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kelly Armstrong
Michelle Strinden 		67,704 73.2%
Republican Tammy Miller
Josh Teigen 		24,784 26.8%
Total votes 92,488 100.00
2024 North Dakota gubernatorial election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kelly Armstrong
Michelle Strinden
Democratic–NPL Merrill Piepkorn
Patrick Hart
Independent Michael Coachman
Lydia Gessele
Total votes

References

  1. ^ "Kelly Armstrong's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  2. ^ "North Dakota New Members 2019". The Hill. November 15, 2018.
  3. ^ Nazzaro, Miranda (January 23, 2024). "North Dakota lawmaker running for governor". The Hill. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  4. ^ "North Dakota Governor Primary Election Results". The New York Times. June 11, 2024. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  5. ^ Grandstrand, Katherine (December 20, 2012). "District 36 representation: All Kelly Armstrong wanted was to get away, but Dickinson is home". The Dickinson Press. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  6. ^ "Senator Kelly M. Armstrong". Bismarck, North Dakota: North Dakota Legislature. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  7. ^ "Sen. Kelly Armstrong of Dickinson elected chair of ND Republican Party". Grand Forks Herald. Forum News Service. June 6, 2015. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  8. ^ Dura, Jack (February 22, 2018). "Armstrong joins packed House race". The Clarion-Ledger.
  9. ^ Inc., Midwest Communications. "Armstrong wins GOP House endorsement". The Mighty 790 KFGO. Archived from the original on November 8, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2018. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  10. ^ Wasserman, David; Flinn, Ally (November 7, 2018). "2018 House Popular Vote Tracker". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  11. ^ "OFFICIAL (WITHOUT RECOUNTS) 2020 GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS: Representative in Congress". North Dakota Election Officials. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  12. ^ "Unofficial 2022 General Election Results". North Dakota Secretary of State. November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  13. ^ Budryk, Zack (January 3, 2021). "Coalition of 7 conservative House Republicans says they won't challenge election results". The Hill. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  14. ^ Schnell, Mychael (July 19, 2022). "These are the 47 House Republicans who voted for a bill protecting marriage equality". The Hill. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  15. ^ "Port: NDGOP rids itself of code of conduct, nearly censures Rep. Kelly Armstrong". InForum. October 16, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  16. ^ "House passes antitrust bill that hikes M&A fees as larger efforts targeting tech have stalled". CNBC. September 29, 2022.
  17. ^ "H.R. 3843: Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022 -- House Vote #460 -- Sep 29, 2022".
  18. ^ Baumgarten, April (June 20, 2023). "Trump calls for North Dakota's Kelly Armstrong to 'immediately be primaried'". Inforum. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  19. ^ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  20. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ Gick, Justin (November 5, 2023). "Rep. Kelly Armstrong one of 23 Republicans voting not to censure Rep. Tlaib on Israel comments". www.kfyrtv.com.
  22. ^ Janke, Ryan. "Armstrong to fill seat vacated by new U.S. Speaker of the House, announces re-election".
  23. ^ "Rep. Kelly Armstrong Recommended To Take Speaker Johnson's Judiciary Seat". November 14, 2023.
  24. ^ Sweeney, Pat. "Armstrong votes for, Fischbach votes against ousting Santos".
  25. ^ "Homepage of Republican Governance Group". Republican Governance Group. December 14, 2019.
  26. ^ "Membership". Republican Study Committee. December 6, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  27. ^ "Kelly Armstrong will run for North Dakota governor, giving up state's sole House seat". POLITICO. January 23, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  28. ^ "Kelly Armstrong, North Dakota's lone congressman, runs for governor". San Diego Union-Tribune. January 23, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  29. ^ "Kelly Armstrong highlights campaign themes at Fargo kickoff event". InForum. January 26, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  30. ^ https://www.inforum.com/news/north-dakota/kelly-armstrong-taps-fargos-michelle-strinden-as-running-mate
  31. ^ "Port: Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller announces campaign for governor". InForum. February 15, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  32. ^ "Port: Here's a preview of the mud that's about to be slung in North Dakota's gubernatorial primary". InForum. March 18, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  33. ^ "Port: Armstrong rips 'Tall Tale' Tammy Miller; her campaign says that's 'a whole lot of B.S.'". InForum. March 20, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  34. ^ Gick, Justin (April 2, 2024). "Hoeven endorses Armstrong for governor". Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  35. ^ "Burgum suggests Armstrong isn't the right choice for governor; Armstrong responds". March 11, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  36. ^ Haney, Don. "Piepkorn makes campaign for governor official". The Mighty 790 KFGO | KFGO. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  37. ^ https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-elections/north-dakota-governor-results
  38. ^ Johnson, Cheryl L. (February 28, 2019). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 6, 2018". Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  39. ^ "Statewide Election Results". North Dakota Secretary of State. November 12, 2020.
  40. ^ "Official 2022 General Election Results". North Dakota Secretary of State. November 8, 2022. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  41. ^ "2024 Republican Governor primary election Results". Associated Press News. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
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North Dakota Senate
Preceded by Member of the North Dakota Senate
from the 36th district
2012–2018 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by
Robert Harms
 Chair of the North Dakota Republican Party
2015–2018 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Republican nominee for U.S. House of Representatives
from North Dakota's at-large congressional district
2018, 2020, 2022 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Republican nominee for Governor of North Dakota
2024 		Most recent
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Kevin Cramer
 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from North Dakota's at-large congressional district
2019–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
227th 		Succeeded by