No 2026 Governor Race — Armstrong Elected in 2024
Kelly Armstrong (R) was elected governor of North Dakota in November 2024, succeeding Doug Burgum. His term runs through December 2028. No governor race in 2026.
| Current Governor | Kelly Armstrong (R) |
| 2026 Race | No 2026 race |
| Next Election | 2028 |
| State Presidential Lean | R+32 |
North Dakota Governors: A One-Party State Since 1992
| Year | Republican Winner | Margin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Ed Schafer | R+24 | Last time ND elected a non-Republican governor (George Sinner, D, served 1985-92) |
| 2008 | John Hoeven (3rd term) | R+56 | Hoeven won 74%-8%; ran essentially unopposed; later elected to US Senate in 2010 |
| 2016 | Doug Burgum | R+54 | Burgum, a Microsoft executive, won Republican primary and general by landslide |
| 2020 | Doug Burgum (2nd term) | R+51 | Re-elected 65%-27%; no credible Democratic opposition |
| 2024 | Kelly Armstrong | R+40 | Armstrong (former US Rep.) succeeded Burgum, who became Interior Secretary; ran effectively unopposed by viable Democrat |
Context & Analysis
Kelly Armstrong, formerly a US Representative from North Dakota's at-large congressional district, won the 2024 governor's race in this solidly Republican state. Doug Burgum did not seek re-election, having mounted a brief 2024 presidential campaign before dropping out and becoming Secretary of the Interior under Trump. Armstrong ran unopposed by any credible Democrat in a state where Republicans have not lost a governor's race since 1988. North Dakota holds governor elections every four years in presidential election years; the next governor's race is 2028.
State context: North Dakota voted 31% Biden / 65% Trump in 2020. US Senators: John Hoeven (R). Current Governor: Kelly Armstrong (R).