BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Republican U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong won election as North Dakota’s next governor on Tuesday, continuing the GOP’s three-decade grip on the highest job in the conservative state.

The state’s lone U.S. congressman beat Democratic state Sen. Merrill Piepkorn and independent candidate Michael Coachman for the post. Armstrong, a 48-year-old attorney, is in his third term in the House. He now has become the first member of Congress in 52 years to be elected the state’s governor.

Campaigning since late January has been fun, “but now the real work starts,” Armstrong told The Associated Press by phone. He said addressing property tax frustrations and restoring trust in institutions and government will be top of his mind as he takes office.

Armstrong will be sworn in on Dec. 15, weeks before the biennial Legislature convenes with an expected Republican supermajority in Bismarck. He will succeed outgoing GOP Gov. Doug Burgum, who did not seek a third term. Burgum was a finalist to be former President Donald Trump’s vice-presidential running mate.

Read the full story from the Associate Press