Michelle Strinden
American politician (born 1968/69)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michelle Strinden (née Strecker; born 1968/69)[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.
Michelle Strinden | |
|---|---|
| |
| 40th Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota | |
| Assumed office December 15, 2024 | |
| Governor | Kelly Armstrong |
| Preceded by | Tammy Miller |
| Member of the North Dakota House of Representatives from the 41st district | |
| In office December 1, 2018 – December 1, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Al Carlson |
| Succeeded by | Karen Grindberg |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michelle Strecker 1968 or 1969 (age 56–57) |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Tom Strinden
(m. 1996; died 2025) |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Karen Grindberg (sister-in-law) Earl Strinden (father-in-law) |
| Education | University of North Dakota (BA) Minnesota State University Moorhead (MS) |
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]
