In November 2022, voters in the state approved a constitutional amendment limiting governors to two four-year terms, but it only applies to individuals elected after January 1, 2023, so incumbent governor
Doug Burgum was still eligible to run for re-election under a
grandfather clause. On June 7, 2023, Burgum announced that he would instead
run for the Republican nomination for
president of the United States in
2024, a race he dropped out of on December 4, 2023. Despite considering running for a third term after the end of his presidential campaign, Burgum announced he would not run for a third term on January 22, 2024. After the decision from Burgum to not seek re-election, Campbell entered the race. Following Armstrong's announcement, Campbell withdrew and switched his campaign towards the
House seat left open by Armstrong. On January 31, Travis Hipsher, a security guard from
Neche, announced he would seek the governorship for the
Democratic-NPL. Hipsher described himself as a
centrist. Later on February 6,
perennial candidate Michael Coachman announced an independent run for governor. Coachman previously ran for
governor in 2020, Lieutenant Governor in 2016 and 2012, and with
Secretary of State in 2018. On February 15, Lieutenant Governor
Tammy Miller announced her candidacy to replace Burgum. Later on March 22, it was reported that state senator
Merrill Piepkorn had filed the paperwork to run, but did not announce any campaign. On March 31, Travis Hipsher ended his campaign, making way for Piepkorn's announcement on April 2. ==Republican primary==