# 2024 North Dakota gubernatorial election

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The 2024 North Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2024, to elect the governor of North Dakota. Incumbent Republican governor Doug Burgum decided to not seek re-election to a third term; he would ultimately decide to run for president. North Dakota is a Republican stronghold, and the Democratic–Nonpartisan League (NPL) Party has not won a governor's race in the state since 1988.
The Republican nominee, U.S. representative Kelly Armstrong, was elected to his first term, easily defeating the Democratic–NPL nominee, state senator Merrill Piepkorn in a landslide. Armstrong was sworn in to office in December 2024, succeeding Burgum.

## Background

In November 2022, voters in the state approved a constitutional amendment limiting governors to two four-year terms, but it only applies to individuals elected after January 1, 2023, so incumbent governor Doug Burgum was still eligible to run for re-election under a grandfather clause. On June 7, 2023, Burgum announced that he would instead run for the Republican nomination for president of the United States in 2024, a race he dropped out of on December 4, 2023. Despite considering running for a third term after the end of his presidential campaign, Burgum announced he would not run for a third term on January 22, 2024.
Before Burgum's announcement, former state Senator and former congressional candidate Tom Campbell suggested at and considered a gubernatorial run, despite whatever choice Burgum made. After the decision from Burgum to not seek re-election, Campbell entered the race.
On January 23, the day after Burgum's announcement, U.S. Representative Kelly Armstrong announced he would also seek the governorship, receiving far more reporting than Campbell and an endorsement from Secretary of State Michael Howe. Following Armstrong's announcement, Campbell withdrew and switched his campaign towards the House seat left open by Armstrong.
On January 31, Travis Hipsher, a security guard from Neche, announced he would seek the governorship for the Democratic-NPL. Hipsher described himself as a centrist.
Later on February 6, perennial candidate Michael Coachman announced an independent run for governor. Coachman previously ran for governor in 2020, Lieutenant Governor in 2016 and 2012, and with Secretary of State in 2018.
On February 15, Lieutenant Governor Tammy Miller announced her candidacy to replace Burgum.
Later on March 22, it was reported that state senator Merrill Piepkorn had filed the paperwork to run, but did not announce any campaign. On March 31, Travis Hipsher ended his campaign, making way for Piepkorn's announcement on April 2.

## Republican primary
### Candidates
#### Nominee

* Kelly Armstrong, U.S. Representative from North Dakota's at-large congressional district (2019–2024)
** Running Mate: Michelle Strinden, state representative for the 41st district (2019–2024)

#### Eliminated in primary

* Tammy Miller, Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota (2023–2024)
** Running Mate: Josh Teigen, commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Commerce (2022–2024)

#### Withdrawn

* Tom Campbell, former state senator from the 19th district (2012–2018) and candidate for North Dakota's at-large congressional district in 2018 (ran for U.S. House)

#### Declined

* Kirsten Baesler, North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction (2013–present) (ran for re-election)
* Thomas Beadle, North Dakota State Treasurer (2021–present) (ran for re-election)
* Doug Burgum, Governor of North Dakota (2016–2024) (endorsed Miller)
* Kevin Cramer, U.S. Senator (2018–present) (endorsed Armstrong, ran for re-election)
* Julie Fedorchak, member of the North Dakota Public Service Commission (2012–present) (ran for U.S. House)
* Michael Howe, North Dakota Secretary of State (2023–present) (endorsed Armstrong)
* Drew Wrigley, North Dakota Attorney General (2022–present)

### Endorsements

Federal officials
* Donald Trump, former President of the United States (2017–2021)
U.S. Senators
* Kevin Cramer, U.S. Senator for North Dakota (2019–present)
* John Hoeven, U.S. Senator for North Dakota (2011–present) and former governor (2000–2010)
Statewide officials
* Michael Howe, North Dakota Secretary of State (2023–present)
Organizations
* North Dakota Republican Party
Statewide officials
* Doug Burgum, Governor of North Dakota (2016–2024)

### Debates

Prairie Public Broadcasting hosted a debate between Armstrong and Miller on April 23. On May 2, it was announced that the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Chamber of Commerce would hold a live, in person debate on May 30. A third debate was held on June 7.
2024 North Dakota gubernatorial election Republican primary debate :
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Republican | Republican |
| Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | | |
| Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Kelly Armstrong | Tammy Miller |
| 1 | April 23, 2024 | Prairie Public Broadcasting | Dave Thompson | YouTube | P | P |
| 2 | May 30, 2024 | FMWF Chamber of Commerce | | | P | P |

### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Kelly Armstrong | Tammy Miller | Undecided |
| WPA Intelligence | May 20–22, 2024 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 57% | 19% | 24% |
| DFM Research (D) | May 6–8, 2024 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 56% | 18% | 26% |
| Guidant Polling and Strategy | May 4−8, 2024 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 60% | 19% | 19% |

### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Kelly Armstrong Michelle Strinden | 67,704 | 73.2% |
| | Republican | Tammy Miller Josh Teigen | 24,784 | 26.8% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 92,488 | 100.0% |

## Democratic-NPL Primary
### Candidates
#### Nominee

* Merrill Piepkorn, state senator for the 44th district (2016–2024)
** Running mate: Patrick Hart, treasurer of the North Dakota Democratic-Nonpartisan League Party and nominee for state auditor in 2020

#### Withdrawn

* Travis Hipsher, security guard

### Endorsements

Organizations
* North Dakota Democratic-Nonpartisan League Party

### Results

Democratic–NPL primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic–NPL | Merrill Piepkorn Patrick Hart | 19,609 | 100.0% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 19,609 | 100.0% |

## Independent
### Candidates
#### Declared

* Michael Coachman, former Larimore city councilor and perennial candidate
** Running mate: Lydia Gessele, stay-at-home mom

## General election
### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Solid R | June 13, 2024 |
| Inside Elections | Solid R | July 14, 2023 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Safe R | June 4, 2024 |
| RCP | Solid R | July 13, 2024 |
| Elections Daily | Safe R | July 12, 2023 |
| CNalysis | Solid R | August 17, 2024 |

### Post-primary endorsements

Statewide officials
* Tammy Miller, North Dakota Lieutenant Governor (2023–2024)

### Debates

2024 North Dakota Gubernatorial debate :
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Democratic-NPL | Republican | Independent |
| Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | | | |
| Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Merrill Piepkorn | Kelly Armstrong | Michael Coachman |
| 1 | September 6, 2024 | Forum Communications | Rob Port | Youtube | P | P | N |
| 2 | October 8, 2024 | KFGO News | Paul Jurgens, Amy Dalrymple, and Jim Shaw | Omny | P | P | N |
| 3 | October 10, 2024 | Prairie Public Broadcasting | Dave Thompson | C-SPAN | P | P | P |
| 4 | October 14, 2024 | BEK TV | | C-SPAN | P | P | P |

### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Kelly Armstrong (R) | Merrill Piepkorn (D) | Michael Coachman (I) | Undecided |
| WPA Intelligence | September 28–30, 2024 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 54% | 24% | 3% | 19% |
| Public Opinion Strategies | June 15–19, 2024 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.38% | 61% | 22% | 11% | 6% |

### Results

2024 North Dakota gubernatorial election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Kelly Armstrong Michelle Strinden | 247,056 | 68.26% | +2.42% |
| | Democratic–NPL | Merrill Piepkorn Patrick Hart | 94,043 | 25.98% | +0.60% |
| | Independent | Michael Coachman Lydia Gessele | 20,322 | 5.61% | N/A |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 530 | 0.15% | -4.75% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 361,951 | 100.00% | N/A |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |