North Dakota U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong and Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller spent much of the first portion of Tuesday's debate between the two Republican candidates trying to draw a contrast between themselves and the other candidate to be the state's next governor.
Armstrong, who has been North Dakota's sole U.S. representative since 2019, sought to pitch himself as uniquely situated to push back against Washington regulations, underscoring the relationships he's built after years in the state Legislature and U.S. Congress. Miller, meanwhile, attempted to frame herself as an outsider and business leader whose executive experience would translate well to leading a state.
But on many policy questions pitched by moderator Dave Thompson during the debate hosted by Prairie Public, the candidates seemed to be in agreement, often reiterating or building upon their opponent's answers.
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Both Miller and Armstrong came out in favor of increased government records transparency, the state's current abortion ban, the state Legislature's passage of bills focused on the state's LGBTQ+ community, easier paths for legal immigration as a way to bolster the state's workforce, and expanded mental health treatment as a solution to gun violence, among other topics.
Tension surfaced more along the lines of each candidate's resume and priorities. Miller wanted to paint Armstrong as a career politician who will bring Washington politics to the governor's office, and Armstrong attempted to portray Miller as a disconnected executive who has "been in Bismarck as long as (he's) been in D.C." Miller first joined the Burgum administration in April 2020 as chief operating officer, but Burgum announced she planned to take on the role in June 2019 -- the date Armstrong cited when comparing their tenures.
When asked about her opponent's advertisements, Miller initially limited her comments to saying she was "very disappointed" by Armstrong's approach. But after Armstrong said he was "running a positive campaign," Miller then opted to defend herself against an Armstrong advertisement that claimed she isn't as staunch of a supporter of former President Donald Trump as she wants voters to believe.
"I don't know that it's positive when he says I haven't supported Trump," Miller said. "I have been a Trump supporter since 2016. And we need Donald Trump in Washington, D.C."
Trump and outgoing Gov. Doug Burgum loomed large over Miller on the debate stage on Tuesday night: On multiple occasions, Miller utilized a refrain that Burgum has used often including on his presidential campaign -- "innovation, not regulation."
And when asked about her plans as governor to ensure senior citizens have access to essential medication, she said her solution was a second Trump term. Armstrong touted his relationship with Trump at times but brought him up much less frequently.
The candidates also clashed over the administration of the state's Legacy Fund, with Armstrong calling for more transparency. Miller, who chairs the State Investment Board that oversees the Legacy Fund, said she believes the fund has "great transparency," and highlighted the affiliated In-State Investment program.
But Armstrong hit back, citing the fact that Bismarck attorney Tory Jackson in a column for the Tribune received a records request that included three broad and unclear category descriptors in a breakdown of current Legacy Fund holdings by country and company.
"$800 million in emerging markets is not transparency," Armstrong said, seemingly in reference to the more than $725 million in Legacy Fund money that was vaguely categorized. "Emerging market money is invested globally across the world and we should know where it's at."
The Republican gubernatorial primary is scheduled for June 11. Whoever wins advances to the November general election, presumably against state Sen. Merrill Piepkorn, R-Fargo, the only Democratic candidate. Independent Michael Coachman, an Air Force veteran from Larimore, also is running.