Kelly Armstrong takes office as North Dakota’s 34th governor
Kelly Armstrong assumed office Sunday as North Dakota’s governor after taking the oath of office Friday in a private family ceremony.
Armstrong, a Republican who resigned effective Saturday as North Dakota’s sole U.S. House representative, succeeds Governor Doug Burgum.
Armstrong and Lt. Governor Michelle Strinden took the oath of office on Friday, joined by their family members as well as Burgum and first lady Kathryn Burgum. Secretary of State Michael Howe administered the oath.
“Serving the citizens of North Dakota as the 34th governor is the honor of a lifetime. Kjersti and I are humbled beyond words for this opportunity,” Armstrong said in a statement. “After six years of representing North Dakota in Congress, it’s good to be home. Let’s get to work.”
Burgum did not seek a third term. Armstrong defeated Democrat Merrill Piepkorn in the November general election after defeating Tammy Miller in the June Republican primary. Before he was elected to Congress, Armstrong served in the state Senate and was chair of the state Republican Party.
Republican Julie Fedorchak was elected to represent North Dakota in the U.S. House.
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