Miller was born on February 8, 1960, and was raised in Brocket, North Dakota. She is the daughter of Ralph and Gen Miller. Growing up, Tammy worked in her family's lumber and hardware store, Miller's Shopping Center on the Prairie, cleaning toilets and stocking shelves. On multiple occasions, she had to use a shotgun to defend the store against thieves.[2]
In 1991 Miller joined employee-owned Border States as the accounting manager. She served in a variety of roles including corporate controller, vice president of finance, executive vice president, general manager for the southwest region and president. She was named Chief Executive Officer and board chair in 2006. Under Miller's leadership, Border States grew from under $500 million in annual sales to nearly $2.5 billion and became the sixth-largest electrical distributor in North America.[4][5]
On January 22, 2024, Miller endorsed former president Donald Trump for his re-election bid in 2024.[12]
2024 gubernatorial campaign
On January 22, 2024, Burgum announced he would not seek reelection to a third term.[13] On February 15, 2024, Miller announced she would seek the governors office.[14][15] She faces North Dakota Rep. Kelly Armstrong in the primary. From the beginning, Miller emphasized her business experience, conservative philosophy and position as a political outsider.[16]
Miller will not attend the North Dakota Republican Party's endorsement convention in April. She will instead compete in the primary election.[17] Since her campaign began, Miller has attended numerous campaign events and hosted several town halls to meet with and hear from North Dakota voters.[18]
On February 21, Burgum endorsed Miller to succeed him as governor.[19] The Miller campaign released an ad touting Burgum's endorsement. The ad featured Burgum praising Miller's successes as lieutenant governor and comparing her business experience and outsider status to President Donald Trump's.[20] On April 4, Miller announced her running-mate to be Josh Tiegen, the state Commerce Commissioner for Burgum.[21]
Political positions
Abortion
Miller supports anti-abortion legislation, describing herself as pro-life. In an interview with WZFG, she said she supported "very narrow" exceptions for young girls who are victims of rape and incest.[22] She supports IVF treatments.[23]
Miller is a staunch critic of President Biden'simmigration policy. She said if elected governor, she would make sure North Dakota does not provide any benefits to illegal immigrants.[25]
Taxes
Miller is opposed to removing property taxes in the state of North Dakota, stating that people need to come together and discuss this issue thoroughly.[26] However, Miller does support a full elimination of the state level income tax.[27]
Energy
Miller has said that the Biden administration's “burdensome regulations” are hurting North Dakota's oil, energy, agriculture industries.[23]
Transgender issues
Miller supports legislation that would prevent trans women from competing in women's sports. She also supports banning gender-affirming care for minors.[23]
Personal life
Miller's husband, Craig Palmer, was the president of Multiband.[4]
Italics indicate next-in-line of succession for states and territories without a directly elected lieutenant governor or whose lieutenant governor office is vacant:
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