About North Dakota
One trip to North Dakota and you'll understand why it's known as the friendliest and safest state to visit. In fact, from agricultural products to quality of life, North Dakota is often at the top of the charts.
North Dakota Statehood
On March 2, 1861, President James Buchanan signed the bill creating the Dakota Territory, which originally included the area covered today by both Dakotas as well as Montana and Wyoming. Beginning in 1877, efforts were made to bring Dakota into the Union as both a single state and as two states. The latter was successful and on November 2, 1889, both North and South Dakota were admitted. President Benjamin Harrison went to great lengths to obscure the order in which the statehood proclamations were signed, so the exact order in which the two states entered is unknown. However, because of alphabetical position, North Dakota is often considered the 39th state. Dakota is derived from the Sioux Indian word for "friend."
Governor
Kelly is a lifelong, devoted North Dakotan who grew up in Dickinson. He had the honor and privilege to serve as North Dakota’s lone member of the U.S. House of Representatives where he was a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, and the Select Committee on the Weaponization of Government. Now, Kelly will bring his experience back to North Dakota to serve as the state’s next Governor.
Growing up Kelly spent his childhood on baseball diamonds and wrestling mats. However, his true passion was and continues to be the outdoors. In the summers he could be found on Lake Sakakawea and during the fall he was bow hunting in the badlands. Family and community are both deeply important to Kelly, values instilled in him in great part to his late Grandma Myrt’s influence. Her legacy of fighting for those who need help most continues through Kelly’s steadfast dedication to his community and those who live there.
Kelly is married to Kjersti, and has two children, Anna and Eli. Click here to learn more about Governor Armstrong.
United State Senator
On January 5, 2011, John Hoeven was sworn in as North Dakota's 22nd U.S. Senator after serving 10 years as Governor for the state of North Dakota. As Governor, Hoeven worked to build North Dakota's future by focusing on six pillars of growth: education, economic development, agriculture, energy, technology and quality of life. Under his leadership, North Dakota expanded and diversified its economy and gained almost 50,000 new jobs. Hoeven was born in Bismarck. He earned a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College in 1979 and a master's degree in business administration from Northwestern University in 1981. From 1993-2000 he served as president and CEO of Bank of North Dakota (BND), which grew from $900 million to $1.6 billion. Click here to learn more about Senator John Hoeven.
United States Senator
Kevin Cramer was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2018 after serving three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. He has had a long and distinguished career in public service. In 1991, he was elected chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party. From 1993-2000, he served in Governor Ed Schafer's cabinet, first as State Tourism Director (1993-1997) then as State Economic Development & Finance Director (1997-2000). From 2000-2003, Cramer was Executive Director of the Harold Schafer Leadership Foundation, which connects emerging leaders from the University of Mary with community business leaders. In 2003, then Governor John Hoeven appointed Cramer to the Public Service Commission, and in 2004 he was elected to the position. He was re-elected in 2010. Click here to learn more about Representative Kevin Cramer
United States Representative
Julie Fedorchak was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2024. She is a conservative, a problem solver, and a leader who vows to bring a commonsense approach to Washington, D.C. and to get our economy and our country back on track. She is a proven leader in the energy sector and committed to supporting North Dakota farmers, ranchers, and small businesses. As the former Public Service Commissioner for twelve years, Julie has been on the front lines of North Dakota’s energy boom. She has a track record of fighting for North Dakotans and delivering government that is responsive to the needs of our state. Click here to learn more about United States Representative Julie Fedorchak.
