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 a third term and ran for president. North Dakota is a Republican stronghold, and the Democratic–Nonpartisan League (NPL) Party has not won a gubernatorial race in the state since 1988.

The Republican nominee, U.S. representative Kelly Armstrong, was elected to his first term, defeating the Democratic–NPL nominee, state senator Merrill Piepkorn in a landslide. Armstrong was sworn in to office in December 2024, succeeding Burgum, who was subsequently appointed Secretary of the Interior by Donald Trump following Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election.

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 (2013–2025) (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 (2012–2025) (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

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 Date Host Moderator Link Republican RepublicanKey: Participant  Absent  Not invited  Invited Withdrawn Kelly Armstrong Tammy Miller1 April 23, 2024 Prairie Public Broadcasting Dave Thompson YouTube 2 May 30, 2024 FMWF Chamber of Commerce

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin KellyArmstrong TammyMiller UndecidedWPA IntelligenceWPA IntelligenceMay 20–22, 2024500 (LV)± 4.4%57%19%24%DFM Research (D)May 6–8, 2024400 (LV)± 4.9%56%18%26%Guidant Polling and StrategyGuidant Polling and StrategyMay 4−8, 2024500 (LV)± 4.4%60%19%19%

Results

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

Results

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

General election Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportJune 13, 2024 Inside ElectionsJuly 14, 2023 Sabato's Crystal BallJune 4, 2024 RCPJuly 13, 2024 Elections DailyJuly 12, 2023 CNalysisAugust 17, 2024

Post-primary endorsements

Debates + 2024 North Dakota Gubernatorial debate Date Host Moderator Link Democratic-NPL Republican IndependentKey: Participant  Absent  Not invited  Invited Withdrawn Merrill Piepkorn Kelly Armstrong Michael Coachman1 September 6, 2024 Forum Communications Rob Port Podcasts 2 October 8, 2024 KFGO News Paul Jurgens, Amy Dalrymple, and Jim Shaw Omny 3 October 10, 2024 Prairie Public Broadcasting Dave Thompson C-SPAN 4 October 14, 2024 BEK TV Joel Heitkamp and Steve Bakken C-SPAN

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error KellyArmstrong (R) MerrillPiepkorn (D) MichaelCoachman (I) UndecidedWPA IntelligenceWPA IntelligenceSeptember 28–30, 2024500 (LV)± 4.4%54%24%3%19%Public Opinion StrategiesPublic Opinion StrategiesJune 15–19, 2024500 (LV)± 4.38%61%22%11%6%

Results

By county CountyKelly ArmstrongRepublicanMerrill PiepkornDemocratic–NPLMichael CoachmanIndependentWrite-inVariousMarginTotalvotes#%#%#%#%#%Adams97881.91%16213.57%534.44%10.08%81668.34%1,194Barnes3,65569.17%1,41726.82%2053.88%70.13%2,23842.35%5,284Benson1,13558.57%69735.96%1035.31%30.15%43822.60%1,938Billings52680.92%8513.08%396.00%00.00%44167.85%650Bottineau2,58575.45%62218.16%2166.30%30.09%1,96357.30%3,426Bowman1,38785.72%17110.57%603.71%00.00%1,21675.15%1,618Burke87483.64%11511.00%565.36%00.00%75972.63%1,045Burleigh36,49670.96%11,34322.05%3,4926.79%1000.19%25,15348.91%51,431Cass50,50556.43%34,90339.00%3,9534.42%1400.16%15,60217.43%89,501Cavalier1,49175.61%40120.33%783.96%20.10%1,09055.27%1,972Dickey1,80274.56%49120.31%1235.09%10.04%1,31154.24%2,417Divide89475.32%22619.04%675.64%00.00%66856.28%1,187Dunn1,80681.46%27612.45%1315.91%40.18%1,53069.01%2,217Eddy85671.04%28023.24%685.64%10.08%57647.80%1,205Emmons1,58283.35%1839.64%1306.85%30.16%1,39973.71%1,898Foster1,33078.61%29117.20%714.20%00.00%1,03961.41%1,692Golden Valley82584.53%10110.35%505.12%00.00%72474.18%976Grand Forks19,01662.03%10,15333.12%1,4554.75%320.10%8,86328.91%30,656Grant1,04580.14%16512.65%916.98%30.23%88067.48%1,304Griggs97776.51%25920.28%413.21%00.00%71856.23%1,277Hettinger1,05782.64%13810.79%846.57%00.00%91971.85%1,279Kidder1,08578.74%18813.64%1057.62%00.00%89765.09%1,378LaMoure1,61976.51%39318.57%1034.87%10.05%1,22657.94%2,116Logan85583.09%10710.40%646.22%30.29%74872.69%1,029McHenry2,10277.08%43515.95%1846.75%60.22%1,66761.13%2,727McIntosh1,08778.77%22916.59%624.49%20.14%85862.17%1,380McKenzie4,47382.68%63411.72%2905.36%130.24%3,83970.96%5,410McLean4,09476.17%94317.54%3346.21%40.07%3,15158.62%5,375Mercer3,62580.34%60913.50%2726.03%60.13%3,01666.84%4,512Morton12,29774.00%3,14118.90%1,1526.93%270.16%9,15655.10%16,617Mountrail2,75968.58%1,01425.21%2486.16%20.05%1,74543.38%4,023Nelson1,15966.57%51329.47%673.85%20.11%64637.11%1,741Oliver86681.09%13212.36%706.55%00.00%73468.73%1,068Pembina2,38777.27%60919.72%902.91%30.10%1,77857.56%3,089Pierce1,47775.40%36218.48%1175.97%30.15%1,11556.92%1,959Ramsey3,67170.88%1,19823.13%3035.85%70.14%2,47347.75%5,179Ransom1,69964.82%79830.45%1234.69%10.04%90134.38%2,621Renville96980.62%15312.73%806.66%00.00%81667.89%1,202Richland5,71069.95%2,09325.64%3564.36%40.05%3,61744.31%8,163Rolette1,54838.87%2,24456.34%1864.67%50.13%-696-17.47%3,983Sargent1,31064.92%60429.93%1045.15%00.00%70634.99%2,018Sheridan57677.21%9412.60%7510.05%10.13%48264.61%746Sioux31233.12%54557.86%848.92%10.11%-233-24.73%942Slope34086.96%287.16%235.88%00.00%31279.80%391Stark12,05681.30%1,79212.08%9606.47%210.14%10,26469.22%14,829Steele62762.64%32132.07%525.19%10.10%30630.57%1,001Stutsman7,00971.88%2,15822.13%5745.89%100.10%4,85149.75%9,751Towner80472.63%24422.04%585.24%10.09%56050.59%1,107Traill2,72166.94%1,16028.54%1764.33%80.20%1,56138.40%4,065Walsh3,30573.74%97521.75%1904.24%120.27%2,33051.99%4,482Ward20,36172.69%5,71620.41%1,8776.70%560.20%14,64552.28%28,010Wells1,66274.76%33014.84%23010.35%10.04%1,33259.92%2,223Williams11,66979.67%1,80212.30%1,1477.83%290.20%9,86767.37%14,647 Totals247,05668.26%94,04325.98%20,3225.61%5300.15%153,01342.27%361,951

Notes

Partisan clients

References

External links Official campaign websites Kelly Armstrong (R) for Governor Michael Coachman (I) for Governor Merrill Piepkorn (D) for Governor