BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – As 2024 comes to a close, we are taking a look back, this time at politics.
Politics in 2024 started out in January with Governor Doug Burgum not seeking a third term in office. Kelly Armstrong had made his bid for another term in Congress and then after Burgum’s announcement, he decided to jump into the race for Governor.
Burgum made national news when he was the first former Republican presidential candidate to endorse President-elect Trump ahead of the Iowa Caucus in January.
North Dakota had three key races in 2024: Governor, U.S. House, and U.S. Senate. Candidates for each of these races announced their intentions to run in February.
As the months continued, Governor Burgum became a top surrogate for Mr. Trump on the campaign trail and was appearing on many national news programs.
On Primary Election Day, Julie Fedorchak made news, when KFYR-TV and other media received complaints about news outlets sending text messages claiming Julie Fedorchak had dropped out of the race for North Dakota’s House seat. KFYR did not send these messages. They were false. Fedorchak had to address the rumors and has since filed an FEC complaint.
Around this same time, Governor Burgum’s name was in the top three to be President-elect Trump’s Vice-Presidential candidate, though he ultimately lost out to Ohio Senator J.D. Vance.
Election Day was a red sweep in North Dakota with Armstrong becoming Governor, Fedorchak becoming Congresswoman and Cramer winning his re-election bid for Senate.
President-elect Trump chose Governor Burgum to be Secretary of the Interior and Chair of the National Energy Council.
Burgum’s last day in office was Dec. 14, with Armstrong taking over on Dec. 15.
Some key political stories to watch for in North Dakota in 2025 will be the legislative session which begins on Jan.7 and the U.S. Senate confirmation hearing for former Governor Doug Burgum as he looks to become Secretary of the Interior.
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