Michelle Strinden

Tom Strinden

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(m. 1996;died 2025)​

Michelle Strinden
40th Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota
Incumbent
Assumed office December 15, 2024
Children	4
Relatives	Karen Grindberg (sister-in-law) Earl Strinden (father-in-law)
Education	University of North Dakota (BA) Minnesota State University Moorhead (MS)

Michelle Strinden (born Michelle Strecker on 1968/1969) ^{[1] [2]} is an American politician who has served as the 40th lieutenant governor of North Dakota since 2024, having been elected in 2024, on a ticket with U.S. Representative Kelly Armstrong, the candidate for governor. ^[3] She served as a member of the North Dakota House of Representatives from the 41st district. Elected in November 2018, she assumed office on December 1, 2018 serving until 2024.

Early life and education

Strinden was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota to George and Betty Lou (Hafner) Strecker. She graduated from Bismarck Century High School in 1987. ^[1] She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education from the University of North Dakota in 1991 and a Master of Science in counseling from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 1995. ^[4] During her studies at the University of North Dakota, she worked on her future father-in-law Earl Strinden's campaign for the U.S. Senate election in 1988. ^[1]

Career

Strinden worked as a school counselor in the West Fargo Public Schools. She was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives in November 2018 and assumed office on December 1, 2018. ^{[5] [6]} Strinden is an advocate for school choice. ^[7]

In the 2024 North Dakota gubernatorial election, U.S. Representative Kelly Armstrong chose Strinden as his running mate, both winning the endorsement of the state Republican Party. ^[8] They won the Republican primary on June 11, defeating lieutenant governor Tammy Miller and commerce commissioner Josh Teigen. ^[9]

References

1. "Lt. Governor Michelle Strinden". North Dakota Office of the Governor. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
2. https://www.jamestownsun.com/news/north-dakota/kelly-armstrong-assumes-office-as-north-dakotas-34th-governor
3. "Kelly Armstrong wins Republican primary in North Dakota governor's race". Jamestown Sun. June 12, 2024. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
4. "Michelle Strinden's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
5. "Representative Michelle Strinden | North Dakota Legislative Branch". www.legis.nd.gov. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
6. "Michelle Strinden". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
7. Hoffman, Megan. "Debating school choice in the legislature". kfyrtv.com. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
8. Baumgarten, April (April 6, 2024). "Endorsed for governor by North Dakota GOP, Kelly Armstrong taps Fargo's Michelle Strinden as running mate". inforum.com. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
9. Larson, Chris (June 11, 2024). "Armstrong advances to November general election". WDAY-TV . Retrieved June 15, 2024.

North Dakota House of Representatives
Preceded by Al Carlson	Member of the North Dakota House of Representatives from the 41st district 2018–2024 Served alongside: Pamela Anderson, Jorin Johnson	Succeeded by Karen Grindberg
Party political offices
Preceded by Brent Sanford	Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota 2024	Most recent
Political offices
Preceded by Tammy Miller	Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota 2024–present	Incumbent