Voters will decide between Tammy Miller and her lieutenant governor pick, Josh Teigen, and Kelly Armstrong and his pick, Michelle Strinden, on the Republican ticket. Merrill Piepkorn is running unopposed on the Democrat side of the ballot, with Patrick Hart as his lieutenant governor.

Miller was sworn in as lieutenant governor on Jan. 3, 2023, replacing Brent Sanford, who resigned. She has served with Gov. Doug Burgum, who is not seeking re-election.

Miller, Brocket native, is a certified public accountant. She served as chief operating officer in the Governor’s Office from April 2020 through December 2022. She previously served as CEO of Fargo-based Border States, the sixth-largest electrical distributor in North America. Miller joined the employee-owned company in 1991 as the accounting manager and served in a variety of roles.

Armstrong has represented the state in Congress since first elected in 2018.

Tammy Miller

Armstrong, a Dickinson native, is an attorney who practiced in Grand Forks and Dickinson. In 2011, he joined his family’s business, Armstrong Corp., where he served as vice president. The business expanded over time to include oil and gas exploration, agricultural operations and investments in local businesses. Armstrong served in the state Senate from 2012-2018 and as chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party from 2015-2018.

The two Republican candidates responded to questions regarding key issues facing North Dakota.

What is your vision for an energy policy for North Dakota and to what extent should it be backed up with public funds?

Miller: The first thing we need to do is stop the crazy regulations coming from Washington, D.C. The Burgum/Miller administration has fought the Biden administration at every opportunity. Joe Biden wants to choke and kill North Dakota’s energy industry, which is why supporting Donald Trump is so important. President Trump supports our energy industry and is exactly who we need in the White House. That’s why I was the first candidate to endorse him. In North Dakota, we focus on innovation not regulation. Working with our research institutions and private sector partners we will produce even more energy, more efficiently, as we fuel and feed the world.

Armstrong: As governor, I do not think it is up to the government to pick the winners and losers of energy production. Currently, President Biden is attempting to shut down oil and coal production through burdensome regulations. I will bring my background in energy production and time in D.C. to work for North Dakota’s energy producers. We will be in every fight that matters. My six years in Congress will put us in a unique position of knowing where to push back on the federal government. We will fight to make sure energy production has a long lasting future in North Dakota.

What can the state do to help maintain a strong agricultural economy?

Armstrong: Agriculture and energy are the backbone of the North Dakota economy. We do agriculture and energy better and cleaner than anyone else in the world. In maintaining a strong economy our best asset is when these two industries work together. An example I often use is taking soybeans grown in the Red River Valley, crushing them in Spiritwood and turning them into renewable fuel in Dickinson. As governor we will foster more growth for agriculture. We have ample opportunities on the horizon, especially in value-added agriculture. Our job will be to make sure you have the tools to do what North Dakota does best, which is to feed and fuel the world.

Miller: With rising input costs and record levels of inflation, our farmers and ranchers are facing incredible headwinds. We need to do everything we can to add value to our commodities within the state – whether through ethanol, soybean crush, growing animal agriculture or expanding markets. As our older farmers look toward retirement, we also have incredible opportunities to help young growers enter the market. North Dakota’s pioneering spirit was forged by risk-takers and innovators in agriculture. It’s in the fabric of our state’s heritage and we must continue to promote that culture for generations to come.

Are you satisfied with the state’s current level of spending? What are your budget priorities?

Miller: North Dakota’s money belongs to the people – not the government. That’s something career politicians like my opponent often forget. Our goal is to make sure North Dakotans keep their hard earned money. That’s why one of my top priorities is to eliminate the state income tax and reform property taxes to provide more tax relief. As a business leader and CPA, I spent most of my career setting budgets and making sure every dollar counts. We focused on serving our customers. When they succeeded, we succeeded. That’s the kind of attitude we need in government because the taxpayers are our customers. We must treat them with respect, give them the best possible service and ensure they keep as much of their money as possible so they can invest in their families, livelihood and communities.

Armstrong: I was elected to the state Senate in 2012. During my time in the state Senate we had the oil boom in western North Dakota. We increased spending to meet the needs of utilitarian infrastructure (transmission, highway expansion, etc.). Since the boom we have not decreased spending, putting North Dakota on a trajectory that is unsustainable. My goal will be to work with the Legislature to reduce the level of government spending while improving services to North Dakotans. Additionally, I will work to ensure there is more transparency with the Legacy Fund. North Dakota taxpayers lost money when Russia invaded Ukraine due to divestment. The solution was that we have $800 million in a global region market, international region market and developing region market. It’s the 21st Century. North Dakotans should not have to file an open records request to see where their taxpayer dollars are being invested. We are investing money currently to North Dakota’s own demise. North Dakotans deserve to know where their hard-earned money is being spent.