BY: MICHAEL ACHTERLING - FEBRUARY 21, 2024 (North Dakota Monitor)
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum on Wednesday endorsed Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller to be his successor, referencing her similarity to Donald Trump as a political outsider and business leader.
Miller announced her run for governor last week. She will compete against Republican U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong in the June 11 primary.
Burgum appointed Miller lieutenant governor in January 2023 after the resignation of Brent Sanford. She served as chief operating officer in Burgum’s office from April 2020 through December 2022.
In a video released to YouTube, Burgum said Miller’s work in the private sector as an accountant who rose through the ranks to become CEO of Border States Electric impressed him so much that he asked her to become his lieutenant governor last year.
“With her help, we’ve transformed government, cut taxes, slashed red tape and diversified the economy,” Burgum said in the video. “Tammy understands what it takes to be a great, conservative governor and I know she’ll keep North Dakota rolling on the right track.”
Miller will not be seeking the NDGOP endorsement at their convention in April, but will appear on the June 11 primary ballot.
Armstrong, a former state lawmaker and chairman of the state Republican Party, announced his plans to run for governor after Burgum said he would not seek a third term.
