North Dakota Governor Heads to DC for Annual Governors Meeting

Armstrong to discuss trade, energy, and healthcare priorities with White House

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Governor Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota will travel to Washington, D.C. this week to attend the annual meeting of U.S. state governors at the White House. Armstrong plans to discuss key issues for North Dakota, including commodity trade markets, priorities with federal agencies like the EPA and Department of Energy, and the state's Rural Healthcare Transformation Program.

Why it matters

The annual governors meeting is an important opportunity for state leaders to directly engage with the federal government and advocate for their state's interests. As a Republican governor, Armstrong's participation and priorities could influence national policy discussions, especially around energy and healthcare.

The details

Governor Armstrong said the goal of the meeting is to discuss issues that will help move North Dakota forward. He noted that North Dakota has a good relationship with the White House, and the state will provide an update on its Rural Healthcare Transformation Program. The governors meeting has faced some controversy, as President Trump initially did not invite a pair of Democratic state leaders, though that decision was later reversed.

  • Governor Armstrong will travel to Washington, D.C. this week for the annual governors meeting.

The players

Governor Kelly Armstrong

The Republican governor of North Dakota who will be attending the annual governors meeting in Washington, D.C.

President Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who initially did not invite all state governors to the annual meeting, though that decision was later reversed.

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What they’re saying

“We have a good relationship with the White House. They keep us in line, and we'll also give them a pretty good update on the Rural Healthcare Transformation Program as we get it going forward in North Dakota.”

— Governor Kelly Armstrong (KFYRTV)

What’s next

The annual governors meeting is scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C. this week.

The takeaway

As a Republican governor, Armstrong's participation and priorities at the annual governors meeting could influence national policy discussions, especially around energy and healthcare issues important to North Dakota.