A State Senator from Dickinson is seeking the Republican endorsement for North Dakota’s lone US House seat.
Kelly Armstrong is also the former GOP chairman, having resigned that post to run for Congress. Armstrong said he decided to run after incumbent House member Kevin Cramer (R) decided to seek the US Senate nomination.
"We were working hard to get Kevin into that race," Armstrong said. "I couldn't be prouder of Kevin, Kris and his family for taking on that challenge. After the rumors started about Kevin, we started having some conversations with clos friends and family, and it seemed like the right time to do it."
Armstrong said he believes North Dakota has done well during the first year of the Trump Administration – but the job isn’t finished.
"I am running for Congress because I believe North Dakota needs a fighter," Armstrong said. "I am running because I believe North Dakota needs a true conservative to represent us. And I'm running because we must have a Congerssman who gets things done for North Dakota."
State Senator Tom Campbell (R-Grafton) is already campaigning for the House nomination. Armstrong said if the GOP convention chooses Campbell, he will not mount a primary challenge.
"I'm all in for the convention," Armstrong said.
With Armstrong stepping down as party chair, vice-chair Jim Poolman will take over those duties on an interim basis. The convention will choose the new chairman.
Ben Hanson is the only announced Democrat in the US House race.