US House of Representatives: Kelly Armstrong

Kelly is originally from Dickinson, North Dakota. He earned his bachelor's degree in psychology and his law degree from the University of North Dakota. He lives in Dickinson with his wife and 2 children.

Kelly worked as an attorney and partner at Reichert Armstrong Law. He also previously served as vice president of his family's business, Armstrong Corporation, which is involved in oil and gas exploration, agricultural operations, and investments in local businesses.

Ballotpedia: Kelly Armstrong

Kelly Armstrong is a US representative for North Dakota's At-Large Congressional District. He was first elected in 2018 and is serving his 3rd term. He previously served as a North Dakota state senator and as chair of the North Dakota Republican Party.

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North Dakota Monitor

Supports promoting North Dakota's energy industry as "promoter-in-chief" for the state's economy.

Supports eliminating income tax, but prioritizes property tax relief and reform over full elimination.

Calls for more transparency in the Legacy Fund, North Dakota's $10 billion oil tax savings account.

- Supports promoting North Dakota's energy industry as "promoter-in-chief" for the state's economy.
- Supports lowering taxes.
- Supports eliminating income tax, but prioritizes property tax relief and reform over full elimination.
- Calls for more transparency in the Legacy Fund, North Dakota's $10 billion oil tax savings account.

Economy

Supports energy production in North Dakota and opposes excessive federal regulation of energy producers.

Opposes excessive federal regulation of energy producers.

Supported legislation regulating protests following pipeline demonstrations.

- Opposes excessive federal regulation of energy producers.
- Supported legislation regulating protests following pipeline demonstrations.

Energy & the Environment

Opposes abortion and cosponsored the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Act, and the Life at Conception Act.

Supports the Hyde Amendment’s ban on using federal funds for abortion and plans to divert funding from Planned Parenthood into Community Health Centers that do not perform or encourage abortion.

Supports the Hyde Amendment’s ban on using federal funds for abortion and plans to divert funding from Planned Parenthood into community health centers that do not perform or encourage abortion.

Prioritizes addressing the "opioid crisis" comprehensively.

Supports banning gender-affirming surgical procedures for minors.

Supports protecting access to IVF treatments.

- Opposes access to abortion.
- Supports the Hyde Amendment’s ban on using federal funds for abortion and plans to divert funding from Planned Parenthood into community health centers that do not perform or encourage abortion.
- Prioritizes addressing the "opioid crisis" comprehensively.
- Supports banning gender-affirming surgical procedures for minors.
- Supports protecting access to IVF treatments.

Healthcare

Supports North Dakota's current election system, including vote-by-mail.

- Supports North Dakota's current election system, including vote-by-mail.
- Opposes hand-counting of ballots.

Voting & Elections

Supports gun rights and earned the endorsement of the National Rifle Association (NRA) for his gubernatorial campaign.

Advocates for a balanced approach to addiction-related crimes.

Supported increased penalties for repeat DUI offenders.

- Opposes gun control.
- Advocates for a balanced approach to addiction-related crimes.
- Supported increased penalties for repeat DUI offenders.

Public Safety

Supports local control over education decisions.

- Supports local control over education decisions.

Education

Supports President Trump’s efforts to build a wall along the border with Mexico.

Supports efforts to build a wall along the border with Mexico.

Supports diplomatic engagement with North Korea to address denuclearization, human rights, and regional security issues.

- Supports efforts to build a wall along the border with Mexico.
- Supports diplomatic engagement with North Korea to address denuclearization, human rights, and regional security issues.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

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Kelly Armstrong

Merrill is originally from Stanley, Mountrail County, North Dakota. He earned his bachelor's degree in speech, communication, and theatre arts from Concordia College. He volunteers with the Horace Mann Area Neighborhood Association and is a member of Messiah Lutheran Church. He lives with his wife in Fargo, and they have 1 son and 2 granddaughters.

Merrill is currently the president of Prairie Airwaves Inc. He previously worked as a producer for Dakota Air: The Radio Show, and has worked with Prairie Public Broadcasting and various other film, television, and radio projects. He was also a full-time musician and continues to perform part-time.

Ballotpedia: Merrill Piepkorn

Merrill Piepkorn is a state senator in District 44 in North Dakota. He was first elected in 2016 and is serving his 4th term. He has held the position of assistant minority leader in the North Dakota State Senate since 2023.

Supports freezing property taxes for low-income seniors over 65.

Advocates making the existing low-income "cash back rebate program" automatic.

Opposes eliminating income tax for high-income earners.

Opposes implementing a statewide sales tax.

Supports expanding the primary residence tax credit from a one-time $500 refund to an annual $1,000 payment.

- Supports freezing property taxes for low-income seniors over 65.
- Advocates making the existing low-income "cash back rebate program" automatic.
- Opposes eliminating income tax for high-income earners.
- Opposes implementing a statewide sales tax.
- Supports expanding the primary residence tax credit from a one-time $500 refund to an annual $1,000 payment.

As of June 3, 2025, Merrill Piepkorn’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports access to abortion and wants to "protect health care providers, who shouldn’t be punished for practicing their professions to keep women safe."

Wants to "protect health care providers, who shouldn’t be punished for practicing their professions to keep women safe."

- Supports abortion access.
- Wants to "protect health care providers, who shouldn’t be punished for practicing their professions to keep women safe."

Supports helping pay down student loan debt for those who commit to living and working in North Dakota.

Supports subsidizing childcare staff salaries to ensure safe and affordable childcare.

Opposes school vouchers, which are programs that use tax dollars for private schools.

Supports providing school lunches for all children.

Advocates stopping cuts to higher education and providing enrollment incentives.

- Supports helping pay down student loan debt for those who commit to living and working in North Dakota.
- Supports subsidizing childcare staff salaries to ensure safe and affordable childcare.
- Opposes school vouchers, which are programs that use tax dollars for private schools.
- Supports providing school lunches for all children.
- Advocates stopping cuts to higher education and providing enrollment incentives.

Merrill Piepkorn

Independent Candidate for Governor Proposes Returning Legacy Fund to People Through Projects, Tax Relief

Michael was born in Germany and raised in Connecticut. He earned his bachelor’s degrees in management, marketing, and human resources. He currently resides Larimore, ND with his wife Vicki. They have 4 children. 

Michael served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years.  

Independent candidate who tried to recall Burgum makes ballot for North Dakota governor

Michael Coachman previously served as member of Larimore City Council for 8 years. He ran for governor in 2020, for secretary of state in 2018, and for lieutenant governor in 2016 and 2012, but he did not win any of the elections. 

Supports prohibiting land purchases by foreign entities.

Supports Measure 4, which would prohibit local subdivisions from collecting assessed value property taxes.

- Supports prohibiting land purchases by foreign entities.
- Supports eliminating property tax.
- Supports Measure 4, which would prohibit local subdivisions from collecting assessed value property taxes.

Supports constructing local oil refineries to add value to the North Dakota Legacy Fund.

- Supports constructing local oil refineries to add value to the North Dakota Legacy Fund.

As of June 3, 2025, Michael Coachman’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports eliminating personal income tax for state law enforcement personnel in an effort to bring more people into the career field and fill open positions.

- Opposes gun control.
- Supports eliminating personal income tax for state law enforcement personnel in an effort to bring more people into the career field and fill open positions.

- Supports "Parent's Rights" in education.

Michael Coachman

- The governor ensures efficient administration of the state and enforcement of laws.
- The governor serves as commander-in-chief of the state's military and can mobilize forces to maintain order.
- The governor advocates for their legislative agenda and has the power to veto bills passed by the legislature, which can be overridden by a supermajority vote.
- The governor has authority to grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons.
- Requirements to be governor include being a US citizen, a qualified voter in North Dakota, at least 30 years old, and a resident of North Dakota for five years prior to election.

North Dakota Governor

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