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List of governors of North Dakota

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List of governors of North Dakota

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Flag of the governor

The governor of North Dakota is the head of government of the U.S. state of North Dakota. The governor is the head of the executive branch of North Dakota's state government and is charged with enforcing state laws.

There have been 32 governors since North Dakota became a state, serving 33 distinct terms, with William Langer having been elected to multiple terms. The current officeholder is Republican Kelly Armstrong.

Governors

Dakota Territory was organized on March 2, 1861; on November 2, 1889, it was split into the states of North Dakota and South Dakota.

The Constitution of North Dakota originally provided for the election of a governor and lieutenant governor every two years, which was changed to four years in 1964. A limit of two terms was added in 2023. The governor and lieutenant governor are elected together on a ticket, and should the office of governor become vacant, the lieutenant governor becomes governor. The term of office begins on the December 15 following the election.

No.GovernorTerm in officePartyElectionLt. Governor12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334
[[File:John Miller (North Dakota Governor).jpg75px]]Republican Party (United States)}};"John Miller
(1843–1908)
–
January 7, 1891
(did not run)Republican1889Republican Party (United States)}};"
[[File:Andrew H. Burke (North Dakota Governor).jpg75px]]Andrew H. Burke
(1850–1918)
–
January 4, 1893
(lost election)Republican1890
[[File:Eli Shortridge.jpg75px]]Populist Party (United States)}};"Eli C. D. Shortridge
(1830–1908)
–
January 9, 1895
(did not run)Populist1892North Dakota Democratic-Independent Party}};"
[[File:Roger Allin (North Dakota Governor).jpg75px]]Republican Party (United States)}};"Roger Allin
(1848–1936)
–
January 7, 1897
(lost nomination)Republican1894Republican Party (United States)}};"
[[File:Frank A. Briggs (North Dakota Governor).jpg75px]]Frank A. Briggs
(1858–1898)
–
August 9, 1898
(died in office)Republican1896
[[File:Joseph M. Devine.gif75px]]Joseph M. Devine
(1861–1938)
–
January 3, 1899
(did not run)RepublicanSucceeded from
lieutenant
governorVacant
[[File:Frederick Fancher (North Dakota Governor).jpg75px]]Frederick B. Fancher
(1852–1944)
–
January 7, 1901
(withdrew)Republican1898Republican Party (United States)}};"
[[File:Frank White, governor of North Dakota.gif75px]]Frank White
(1856–1940)
–
January 4, 1905
(did not run)Republican1900
1902
[[File:Elmore Y. Sarles.gif75px]]Elmore Y. Sarles
(1859–1929)
–
January 9, 1907
(lost election)Republican1904
[[File:Portrait of Governor John Burke of North Dakota.jpeg75px]]Democratic Party (United States)}};"John Burke
(1859–1937)
–
January 8, 1913
(did not run)Democratic1906Democratic Party (United States)}};"
1908
1910
[[File:HANNA, LOUIS B., GOVERNOR LCCN2016862215 (cropped).jpg75px]]Republican Party (United States)}}; border-bottom: none;"L. B. Hanna
(1861–1948)
–
January 3, 1917
(did not run)Republican1912Republican Party (United States)}};"
1914
[[File:Lynn Frazier.jpg75px]]Republican Party (United States)}}; border-top: none; padding: .2em .2em;"Nonpartisan League}}; padding: .2em .2em;"Lynn Frazier
(1874–1947)
–
November 23, 1921
(recalled)Republican/
Nonpartisan League1916
1918
1920
[[File:RagnvaldANestos.jpg75px]]Independent Voters Association}}; padding: .2em .2em;"Ragnvald Nestos
(1877–1942)
–
January 7, 1925
(lost nomination)Republican/
Independent Voters1921
(recall)
1922
[[File:ArthurGSorlie.jpg75px]]Nonpartisan League}}; padding: .2em .2em;"Arthur G. Sorlie
(1874–1928)
–
August 28, 1928
(died in office)Republican/
Nonpartisan League1924
1926
[[File:Walter J. Maddock (North Dakota governor).jpg75px]]Walter Maddock
(1880–1951)
–
January 9, 1929
(lost election)Republican/
Nonpartisan LeagueSucceeded from
lieutenant
governorVacant
[[File:George F. Shafer (Governor of North Dakota, circa. 1929-1933).jpg75px]]Independent Voters Association}}; padding: .2em .2em;"George F. Shafer
(1888–1948)
–
January 4, 1933
(did not run)Republican/
Independent Voters1928Republican Party (United States)}};"
1930
[[File:Governor William Langer Crop.jpg75px]]Nonpartisan League}}; padding: .2em .2em;"William Langer
(1886–1959)
–
July 19, 1934
(removed)Republican/
Nonpartisan League1932
[[File:O. H. Olson 1920.jpg75px]]Ole H. Olson
(1872–1954)
–
January 7, 1935
(did not run)Republican/
Nonpartisan LeagueSucceeded from
lieutenant
governorVacant
[[File:Thomas H. Moodie (North Dakota governor).jpg75px]]Democratic Party (United States)}};"Thomas H. Moodie
(1878–1948)
–
February 2, 1935
(removed)Democratic1934Republican Party (United States)}};"
[[File:Walter Welford 1935 Edit.jpg75px]]Republican Party (United States)}}; padding: .2em .2em;"Nonpartisan League}}; padding: .2em .2em;"Walter Welford
(1868–1952)
–
January 6, 1937
(lost election)Republican/
Nonpartisan LeagueSucceeded from
lieutenant
governorVacant
[[File:Governor William Langer Crop.jpg75px]]Independent (United States)}};"William Langer
(1886–1959)
–
January 2, 1939
(did not run)Independent1936Republican Party (United States)}};"
[[File:JohnMoses.jpg75px]]Democratic Party (United States)}};"John Moses
(1885–1945)
–
January 2, 1945
(did not run)Democratic1938
1940
1942Democratic Party (United States)}};"
[[File:Fred G. Aandahl (North Dakota governor) Edit 3x4.png75px]]Republican Party (United States)}};"Fred G. Aandahl
(1897–1966)
–
January 3, 1951
(did not run)Republican1944Republican Party (United States)}};"
1946
1948
[[File:Clarence Brunsdale.jpg75px]]Norman Brunsdale
(1891–1978)
–
January 7, 1957
(did not run)Republican1950
1952
1954
[[File:John E. Davis in 1969 Civil Defense film.png75px]]John E. Davis
(1913–1990)
–
January 3, 1961
(did not run)Republican1956
1958
[[File:William L. Guy North Dakota Governor 1968.jpg75px]]North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}};"William L. Guy
(1919–2013)
–
January 2, 1973
(did not run)Democratic–
Nonpartisan League1960
1962
1964North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}};"
1968Republican Party (United States)}};"
[[File:Arthur A. Link.jpg75px]]Arthur A. Link
(1914–2010)
–
January 6, 1981
(lost election)Democratic–
Nonpartisan League1972North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}};"
1976
[[File:Allen Olson.jpg75px]]Republican Party (United States)}};"Allen I. Olson
(1938–2025)
–
December 31, 1984
(lost election)Republican1980Republican Party (United States)}};"
[[File:George Sinner.png75px]]North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}};"George A. Sinner
(1928–2018)
–
December 15, 1992
(did not run)Democratic–
Nonpartisan League1984North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}};"
1988
[[File:Ed Schafer -- February 2008.jpg75px]]Republican Party (United States)}};"Ed Schafer
(b. 1946)
–
December 15, 2000
(did not run)Republican1992Republican Party (United States)}};"
1996
[[File:John Hoeven, Official Senate Portrait, 112th Congress.jpg75px]]John Hoeven
(b. 1957)
–
December 7, 2010
(resigned)Republican2000
2004
2008
[[File:Jack Dalrymple 2013 (cropped 2).jpg75px]]Jack Dalrymple
(b. 1948)
–
December 15, 2016
(did not run)RepublicanSucceeded from
lieutenant
governor
2012
[[File:Governor Doug Burgum (cropped).jpg75px]]Doug Burgum
(b. 1956)
–
December 15, 2024
(did not run)Republican2016
2020
[[File:Kelly_Armstrong_(cropped).jpg75px]]Kelly Armstrong
(b. 1976)
–
IncumbentRepublican2024

Electoral history (1950–)

YearDemocratic–NPL nomineeRepublican nomineeIndependent candidateLibertarian nomineeOther candidateCandidate#%Candidate#%Candidate#%Candidate#%Candidate#%
1950Democratic Party (United States)}}"Clyde G. Byerly61,95033.71%Republican Party (United States)}}"Norman Brunsdale121,82266.29%–––
1952Democratic Party (United States)}}"Ole C. Johnson53,99021.26%Republican Party (United States)}}"Norman Brunsdale199,94478.74%–––
1954Democratic Party (United States)}}"Cornelius Bymers69,24835.79%Republican Party (United States)}}"Norman Brunsdale124,25364.21%–––
1956North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}}"Wallace E. Warner104,86941.54%Republican Party (United States)}}"John E. Davis147,56658.46%–––
1958North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}}"John F. Lord98,76346.90%Republican Party (United States)}}"John E. Davis111,83653.10%–––
1960North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}}"William L. Guy136,14849.44%Republican Party (United States)}}"Clarence P. Dahl122,48644.48%Nonpartisan}}"Herschel Lashkowitz16,7416.08%––
1962North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}}"William L. Guy115,25850.44%Republican Party (United States)}}"Mark Andrews113,25149.56%–––
1964North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}}"William L. Guy146,41455.74%Republican Party (United States)}}"Donald M. Halcrow116,24744.26%–––
1968North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}}"William L. Guy135,95554.82%Republican Party (United States)}}"Robert P. McCarney108,38243.70%Nonpartisan}}"Leo Landsberger
(Taxpayers Revival)3,6631.48%––
1972North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}}"Arthur A. Link143,89951.04%Republican Party (United States)}}"Richard F. Larsen138,03248.96%–––
1976North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}}"Arthur A. Link153,30951.58%Republican Party (United States)}}"Richard Elkin138,32146.53%––American Party (1969)}}"Martin K. Vaaler
(American)5,6191.89%
1980North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}}"Arthur A. Link140,39146.39%Republican Party (United States)}}"Allen I. Olson162,23053.61%–––
1984North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}}"George A. Sinner173,92255.32%Republican Party (United States)}}"Allen I. Olson140,46044.68%–––
1988North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}}"George A. Sinner179,09459.88%Republican Party (United States)}}"Leon Malberg119,98640.12%–––
1992North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}}"Nicholas Spaeth123,84540.62%Republican Party (United States)}}"Ed Schafer176,39857.86%Nonpartisan}}"Harley McClain2,6140.86%–Nonpartisan}}"Michael DuPaul2,0040.66%
1996North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}}"Lee Kaldor89,34933.81%Republican Party (United States)}}"Ed Schafer174,93766.19%–––
2000North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}}"Heidi Heitkamp130,14444.97%Republican Party (United States)}}"John Hoeven159,25555.03%–––
2004North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}}"Joe Satrom84,87727.39%Republican Party (United States)}}"John Hoeven220,80371.26%–Libertarian Party (United States)}}"Roland Riemers4,1931.35%–
2008North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}}"Tim Mathern74,27923.53%Republican Party (United States)}}"John Hoeven235,00974.44%Nonpartisan}}"DuWayne Hendrickson6,4042.03%––
2012North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}}"Ryan Taylor109,04834.31%Republican Party (United States)}}"Jack Dalrymple200,52563.10%Nonpartisan}}"Paul Sorum5,3561.69%–Nonpartisan}}"Roland Riemers2,6180.82%
2016North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}}"Marvin Nelson65,85519.39%Republican Party (United States)}}"Doug Burgum259,86376.52%–Libertarian Party (United States)}}"Marty Riske13,2303.90%–
2020North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}}"Shelley Lenz90,78925.38%Republican Party (United States)}}"Doug Burgum235,47965.84%–Libertarian Party (United States)}}"DuWayne Hendrickson13,8533.87%–
2024North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party}}"Merrill Piepkorn94,04325.98%Republican Party (United States)}}"Kelly Armstrong247,05668.26%Nonpartisan}}"Michael Coachman20,3225.61%––

Notes

References

;General

;Specific

References

  1. {{usstat. 12. 239
  2. {{usstat. 25. 676
  3. "North Dakota State and County Official Term Lengths, Initiative 5 (1964)".
  4. "North Dakota Constitutional Measure 1, Term Limits for Governor and State Legislators Initiative (2022)".
  5. ND Const. art. V, § 3
  6. ND Const. art. V, § 11
  7. ND Const. art. V, § 5
  8. "John Miller". [[National Governors Association]].
  9. (1889-11-22). "The Legislature". Bismarck Weekly Tribune.
  10. "Andrew Horace Burke". [[National Governors Association]].
  11. North Dakota Legislative Assembly. ''Journal of the House of Representatives''. 1891 sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=rdFLAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA34 34], accessed May 30, 2023
  12. "Eli C. D. Shortridge". [[National Governors Association]].
  13. "Eli C. D. Shortridge". State Historical Society of North Dakota.
  14. (1893-01-04). "North Dakota Legislature Gets in Motion". Chicago Tribune.
  15. North Dakota Legislative Assembly. ''Journal of the House of Representatives''. 1893 sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=VTgeYHX7M9UC&pg=PA33 33], accessed May 30, 2023
  16. "Roger Allin". [[National Governors Association]].
  17. North Dakota Legislative Assembly. ''Journal of the House of Representatives''. 1895 sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=6NJLAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA35 35], accessed May 30, 2023
  18. (1896-07-25). "Briggs the Man". The Washburn Leader.
  19. "Frank Arlington Briggs". [[National Governors Association]].
  20. "Frank A. Briggs". State Historical Society of North Dakota.
  21. (1897-01-14). "The Legislature". Courier Democrat.
  22. "Joseph McMurray Devine". [[National Governors Association]].
  23. (1898-08-11). "Briggs Is Dead!". The Hope Pioneer.
  24. "Frederick Bartlett Fancher". [[National Governors Association]].
  25. (1899-01-07). "North Dakota Officers Inaugurated". The Bottineau Courant.
  26. (1900-09-27). "Fancher Resigns". Jamestown Weekly Alert.
  27. "Frank White". [[National Governors Association]].
  28. (1901-01-07). "The New Officers". The Bismarck Tribune.
  29. "Elmore Yocum Sarles". [[National Governors Association]].
  30. (1905-01-05). "New Administration Is Nicely Launched". The Bismarck Tribune.
  31. "John Burke". [[National Governors Association]].
  32. (1907-01-10). "Now Gov. Burke". The Bismarck Tribune.
  33. "Louis Benjamin Hanna". [[National Governors Association]].
  34. (1913-01-09). "A Republican Administration". The Bismarck Tribune.
  35. "Lynn Joseph Frazier". [[National Governors Association]].
  36. (1917-01-03). "Intense Enthusiasm Marks New Regime at State Capitol". The Bismarck Tribune.
  37. "Ragnvold Anderson Nestos". [[National Governors Association]].
  38. (1921-11-23). "New Governor Kindles Pride in State, Pledges Economy. Asks Strife Be Forgotten". The Bismarck Tribune.
  39. "Arthur Gustav Sorlie". [[National Governors Association]].
  40. (1925-01-07). "Sorlie, Nestos Both Speak; New Governor Inaugurated Before Joint Session Today". The Bismarck Tribune.
  41. "Walter Maddock". [[National Governors Association]].
  42. (1928-08-28). "Governor Sorlie Dead from Fight with Heart Disease". The Bismarck Tribune.
  43. "George Frederick Shafer". [[National Governors Association]].
  44. (1929-01-09). "Governor Shafer Takes Post". The Bismarck Tribune.
  45. "William Langer". [[National Governors Association]].
  46. "William Langer". State Historical Society of North Dakota.
  47. (1933-01-04). "New Officers Take Hold and Name Deputies". Morning Pioneer.
  48. (1934-06-18). "New Rockford Man Moves to Assume Duties of Office". The Bismarck Tribune.
  49. (1934-07-19). "Acting Governor Takes Control of Executive Office". The Bismarck Tribune.
  50. "Ole H. Olson". [[National Governors Association]].
  51. "Thomas Hilliard Moodie". [[National Governors Association]].
  52. (1935-01-07). "Moodie Becomes N.D. Governor". The Bismarck Tribune.
  53. "Walter Welford". [[National Governors Association]].
  54. (1935-02-02). "Supreme Court Holds Moodie Disqualified by Constitution". The Bismarck Tribune.
  55. (1937-01-07). "Grand March Climaxes Inaugural". The Bismarck Tribune.
  56. "John Moses". [[National Governors Association]].
  57. (1939-01-02). "Langer Ends His Regime". Reno Gazette-Journal.
  58. "Fred George Aandahl". [[National Governors Association]].
  59. (1945-01-02). "Aandahl, Other New State Officers Begin Duties". The Bismarck Tribune.
  60. "C. Norman Brunsdale". [[National Governors Association]].
  61. (1951-01-03). "Family, Friends of New Governor Attend Inaugural". The Bismarck Tribune.
  62. "John Edward Davis". [[National Governors Association]].
  63. (1957-01-09). "John Davis Is Sworn In at Capitol". The Bismarck Tribune.
  64. "William Lewis Guy". [[National Governors Association]].
  65. (1961-01-04). "Guy Urges Austerity for N.D.". The Bismarck Tribune.
  66. "Arthur Albert Link". [[National Governors Association]].
  67. (1973-01-03). "Link Takes Oath As State Head". The Bismarck Tribune.
  68. "Allen Ingvar Olson". [[National Governors Association]].
  69. Baenen, Jeff. (1981-01-07). "Olson Begins Term". The Bismarck Tribune.
  70. "George Albert Sinner". [[National Governors Association]].
  71. Sellnow, Greg. (1985-01-05). "Supreme Court Tells Olson to Pack It In". The Bismarck Tribune.
  72. Sellnow, Greg. (1985-01-05). "Justices Unanimously Support Sinner". The Bismarck Tribune.
  73. "Edward Thomas Schafer". [[National Governors Association]].
  74. Donatelle, Kristine. (1992-12-16). "Governor Fills Key Posts". The Bismarck Tribune.
  75. "John Hoeven". [[National Governors Association]].
  76. Wetzel, Dale. (2000-12-16). "Hoeven's First Day Full of Decisions". The Bismarck Tribune.
  77. "Jack Dalrymple". [[National Governors Association]].
  78. Beitsch, Rebecca. (2010-12-08). "It's Official, Governor". The Bismarck Tribune.
  79. "Doug Burgum". [[National Governors Association]].
  80. Holgate, Julie. (December 15, 2016). "Doug Burgum Takes Office As Nd Governor Today". Valley News Live.
  81. "Kelly Armstrong". [[National Governors Association]].
  82. (2024-12-15). "Armstrong takes oath of office, begins term as 34th governor in North Dakota’s 135-year history". North Dakota Office of the Governor.
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