Submitted Photo Kelly Armstrong, center, surrounded family members, takes the oath of office on Friday for 34th governor of North Dakota. Secretary of State Michael Howe, left, administered the oath. Michelle Strinden, right, took the oath of office for lieutenant governor that day.

BISMARCK – Gov. Kelly Armstrong assumed office on Sunday as the 34th governor in the 135-year history of North Dakota, according to information from the Governor’s Office.

Armstrong took the oath of office on Friday, joined by his wife, Kjersti Armstrong, their children, Anna and Eli, other family members and outgoing governor and first lady Doug and Kathryn Burgum. Secretary of State Michael Howe administered the oath to Armstrong and Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden, who also was joined by her family.

“Serving the citizens of North Dakota as the 34th governor is the honor of a lifetime. Kjersti and I are humbled beyond words for this opportunity,” Armstrong said. “After six years of representing North Dakota in Congress, it’s good to be home. Let’s get to work.”

Armstrong and Strinden will hold their first meeting with the full Governor’s Cabinet on Monday, welcoming the agency heads as key leaders in the administration.