Previous Governors of North Dakota
Governors who previously held office in North Dakota, with term dates and party affiliation.
Kelly Michael Armstrong is an American lawyer and politician serving since 2024 as the 34th governor of North Dakota. A member of the Republican Party, he served from 2019 to 2024 as the U.S. representative for North Dakota's at-large congressional district.
Douglas James Burgum is an American businessman and politician who has served as the 55th United States secretary of the interior since 2025 under President Donald Trump. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 33rd governor of North Dakota from 2016 to 2024.
John Stewart Dalrymple III is an American politician and businessman who served as the 32nd governor of North Dakota from 2010 to 2016. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 36th lieutenant governor of North Dakota from 2000 to 2010 under Governor John Hoeven.
John Henry Hoeven III is an American politician and banker serving as the senior U.S. senator from North Dakota, a seat he has held since 2011. A member of the Republican Party, Hoeven served as the 31st governor of North Dakota from 2000 to 2010.
Edward Thomas Schafer is an American businessman and politician who served as the 30th governor of North Dakota from 1992 to 2000 and as the 29th United States secretary of agriculture from 2008 to 2009 under President George W. Bush. From January to July 2016 he served as interim president of the University of North Dakota.
George Albert Sinner was an American politician who served as the 29th governor of North Dakota from 1985 to 1992. He served two four-year terms and was the most recent governor of North Dakota from his party, the North Dakota Democratic–Nonpartisan League Party.
Allen Ingvar "Al" Olson was an American Republican politician and attorney who served from 1981 to 1985 as the 28th governor of North Dakota. He defeated incumbent Arthur A. Link in the 1980 election and served one term.
Arthur Albert Link was an American politician of the North Dakota Democratic Party, and later the Democratic-NPL. He served as a U.S. representative from 1971 to 1973, and as the 27th governor of North Dakota from 1973 to 1981. Link was a charter member of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.
William Lewis Guy was an American politician who was the 26th governor of North Dakota from 1961 to 1973. Guy was North Dakota's longest-serving governor in state history, serving two consecutive two-year terms and two four-year terms in office.
John Edward Davis was an American politician who served as Director of the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency from 1969 to 1976. He also previously served as the National Commander of The American Legion, from 1966 to 1967, and as the 25th governor of North Dakota from 1957 to 1961.