(The Center Square) – North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said Wednesday that Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller has his complete support in her bid to take his place.
Burgum announced last month he would not seek a third term. Voters approved a ballot measure in 2022 limiting governors to two four-year terms but grandfathered in current office holders.
U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D., said shortly after Burgum’s announcement that he would leave Congress and run for governor, setting up a showdown in the June 11 Republican primary.
The governor appointed Miller to lieutenant governor in December 2022 after Brent Sanford resigned. Miller served as the Burgum’s chief executive officer from 2019 until her appointment. She was the chief executive officer of Border States Electric before entering the government sector.
“With her help – we’ve transformed government, cut taxes, slashed red tape and diversified the economy,” Burgum said in a statement. “Yet Tammy knows there is more to accomplish, and we can’t let up now.”
Burgum said Miller is a political outsider, like himself.
“Tammy knows hard work and she understands transformative leadership – and she has stayed deeply rooted in humility and gratitude,” Burgum said.
Armstrong has held the lone congressional seat for North Dakota since 2019. He said on his website he wants to “ensure the future is bright for all of our kids – where they have every opportunity to succeed right here in North Dakota.”
“With conservative leadership, we can unleash the full potential of our citizens, create jobs, and let the people of this state do what they do best,’ Armstrong said.
Travis Hipsher announced he would seek the Democratic nomination for governor, according to KFYR. He ran for a North Dakota Senate seat in 2022.
“We need to help our agricultural and energy sector to relieve some pressure,” Hipsher told the television station. “We need to diversify our economy. When running in 2022, I learned a lot about politics and felt like there wasn’t going to be anyone to push for a diverse economy here in North Dakota, so I decided to step up.”