Kelly Armstrong facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kelly Armstrong
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Official portrait, 2018
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| 34th Governor of North Dakota | |
| Assumed office December 15, 2024 |
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| Lieutenant | Michelle Strinden |
| Preceded by | Doug Burgum |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Dakota's at-large district |
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| In office January 3, 2019 – December 14, 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Kevin Cramer |
| Succeeded by | Julie Fedorchak |
| Chair of the North Dakota Republican Party | |
| In office June 6, 2015 – February 20, 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Robert Harms |
| Succeeded by | Jim Poolman (acting) |
| Member of the North Dakota Senate from the 36th district |
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| In office December 1, 2012 – November 8, 2018 |
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| Preceded by | George Nodland |
| Succeeded by | Jay Elkin |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Kelly Michael Armstrong
October 8, 1976 Dickinson, North Dakota, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Kjersti Høiby
(m. 2004) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of North Dakota (BA, JD) |
Kelly Michael Armstrong (born October 8, 1976) is an American lawyer and politician. He is currently the 34th governor of North Dakota, starting in 2024. Before becoming governor, he was a U.S. representative for North Dakota's at-large congressional district from 2019 to 2024. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Armstrong also served as a state senator for North Dakota from 2012 to 2018. From 2015 to 2018, he was the leader (chair) of the North Dakota Republican Party. In 2024, he decided to run for governor and won the election.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Kelly Armstrong grew up in Dickinson, North Dakota. He finished high school at Dickinson High School in 1995.
He went to the University of North Dakota. In 2001, he earned a degree in psychology. He then studied law at the University of North Dakota School of Law, getting his law degree (called a Juris Doctor) in 2003. He was also part of the Sigma Chi fraternity.
Career Journey
Before he was elected to Congress, Kelly Armstrong worked as a lawyer. He was a partner at a law firm called Reichert Armstrong. This firm had offices in Grand Forks and Dickinson. He also worked as the vice president of Armstrong Corp.
From 2013 to 2018, Armstrong was a state senator for North Dakota's 36th district. During this time, he also led the North Dakota Republican Party as its chair from 2015 to 2018.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Kelly Armstrong represented North Dakota in the United States House of Representatives. This is where laws are made for the whole country.
Getting Elected
2018 Election
In February 2018, Armstrong announced he wanted to become a U.S. Representative. The North Dakota Republican Party supported him. He won the election on November 6 with 60.2% of the votes. He started his job in Congress in January 2019.
2020 Election
Armstrong was reelected in 2020. He won with 68.96% of the votes.
2022 Election
He was elected again in 2022, getting 62.2% of the votes.
Time in Office
During his time in Congress, Kelly Armstrong made some important decisions.
- In 2021, after the 2020 presidential election, he was one of a few Republicans who did not support efforts to question the election results. He believed Congress did not have the power to change the outcome.
- In 2022, Armstrong voted for the Respect for Marriage Act. This law helps protect the right to same-sex marriage across the country.
- He also voted for a bill to crack down on large companies that might be acting unfairly. This bill helps make sure businesses compete fairly.
- In 2023, he voted to stop a bill that would have punished another politician with a very large fine. He supported a second attempt when the fine was removed.
- Armstrong supported giving help to Israel after an attack in 2023.
- He resigned from Congress on December 14, 2024, to become the governor of North Dakota.
Governor of North Dakota
As governor, Kelly Armstrong is the top leader of the state of North Dakota.
2024 Governor Election
On January 23, 2024, Armstrong announced he would run for governor. The previous governor, Doug Burgum, decided not to run again. Armstrong said he would focus on lowering taxes, reducing rules for businesses, and helping more people find jobs in the state.
He won the Republican primary election. He then chose Michelle Strinden, a state representative, to be his running mate as Lieutenant Governor. Armstrong won the general election with 68.3% of the votes.
First Actions as Governor
Kelly Armstrong and Michelle Strinden officially became governor and lieutenant governor on December 15, 2024.
- One of Armstrong's first actions was to choose Jill Kringstad to fill a vacant seat on the North Dakota Public Service Commission. This group helps regulate things like power and gas in the state.
- He also suggested a plan to get rid of property taxes for homes in North Dakota. This plan would use money from the state's Legacy Fund to help cover these costs. He signed part of this plan into law in February 2025.
- Armstrong ordered flags to be flown at full staff on inauguration day, even though President Joe Biden had ordered them at half staff for the death of former President Jimmy Carter. Armstrong said the flags would return to half staff after the inauguration.
What Kelly Armstrong Believes In
Fair Elections
Armstrong believes in fair elections. He was one of seven Republicans who did not support efforts to question the results of the 2020 presidential election. He said Congress did not have the power to change the election's outcome.
He also thinks that counting all ballots by hand might not be as accurate as using machines.
Gun Rights
Kelly Armstrong does not support most laws that would control guns more strictly. He also said he would not support a ban on certain gun parts called binary triggers. He enjoys hunting.
Healthcare
On April 20, 2025, Governor Armstrong signed a new law. This law puts a limit on how much insulin can cost, making it no more than $25 per month for people in North Dakota.
Taxes
Besides his plan to change property taxes, Armstrong was against a ballot measure in 2024. This measure would have taken away the power of state and local governments to collect property taxes.
He also stopped a bill that would have given a tax credit for prison work programs. He felt it did not help the state's economy enough.
Personal Life
Kelly Armstrong met his wife, Kjersti, at the University of North Dakota. Kjersti is from Norway. They got married in 2004 and have two children. Kjersti became a U.S. citizen in 2021.
Armstrong loves baseball. He has played and coached the sport. His special party when he became governor was even themed around baseball!
Images for kids
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Official portrait of Kelly Armstrong
See also
In Spanish: Kelly Armstrong para niños
