Popular GOP Congressman Resigns – Announces Run For Governor

North Dakota’s lone U.S. House member came out to announce his resignation from Congress and his plan to run for North Dakota’s Governor.

Representative Kelly Armstrong, the sole Congressman from North Dakota, announced his gubernatorial run just a day after Gov. Doug Burgum announced he would not be running for Governor again.

🚨Just in: North Dakota GOP Congressman Kelly Armstrong is officially running for Governor of North Dakota in 2024. pic.twitter.com/ZBGYg0x6mq

— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) January 23, 2024

The Associated Press News shares more:

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. The state GOP will endorse a ticket in April, but candidates can run in the June primary, when voters will decide who advances to the November general election. Republicans have held the governor’s office since 1992.

Armstrong, an attorney and former state GOP chairman, was first elected to the House in 2018 after serving six years in the state Senate.

“The short answer is I want to get home and start working — I miss people. I miss my friends. I miss my neighbors. I miss being in North Dakota, I really do,” Armstrong said in an interview. “Serving the state in Congress has been an absolute, the greatest privilege of my life, but I really want to come home. I miss my friends in the Legislature. I miss the people who are more interested in solving problems than finding some mediocre social media fame.”

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North Dakota, population 784,000, is at a crossroads of how to continue to grow and diversify its economy, with workforce challenges and agricultural and energy issues facing the state, Armstrong said. He cited his knowledge of the state and federal government and background in the private sector, including oil and agriculture, helping him “advocate for and advance the things that are important for North Dakota.”

Many have called Rep. Armstrong a RINO and are happy he is stepping down.

However, it leaves the door open for a Democrat challenger to fill his shoes potentially.

If a better Republican can take his place, this will be a win.

NEW: North Dakota's sole congressman, GOP Rep. Kelly Armstrong, says he's running for governor following incumbent Doug Burgum's retirement announcement. pic.twitter.com/Fd2uPbJRVR

— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) January 23, 2024

More from Politico:

“North Dakotans will always do better when we are in charge of our own destiny,” Armstrong (R-N.D.) said in a statement. “That’s why I’ve decided to come home to run for Governor.”

The announcement came mere hours after Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) told POLITICO he would not run for the office. Burgum said he would not seek a third term on Monday.

Armstrong first came to the House in 2019 after previously serving as chair of the North Dakota Republican Party. He voted to certify President Joe Biden’s win in the 2020 election and voted to codify the right to same-sex marriage in 2022.