In November 2018 Artamonov appointed his predecessor, Oleg Korolyov, to the Federation Council after incumbent senator Iraida Tikhonova stepped down,[2] however, Senator Yury Volkov, a Rules committee member, questioned the constitutionality of such appointment.

[3] Artamonov, officially an Independent, was nominated for a full term by United Russia in the 2019 gubernatorial elections.

Igor Artamonov won the September 2019 election with 67.28% of the vote, as his nearest challenger, Sergey Tokarev (CPRF), received 20.03%,[4] although Artamonov's more notable challengers, Lipetsk Oblast Council of Deputies member Oleg Khomutinnikov (PARNAS) and State Duma member Aleksandr Sherin (LDPR), failed to qualify.

[5] In March 2020 Governor Artamonov officially joined United Russia party.

Each candidate in order to be registered is required to collect at least 6% of signatures of members and heads of municipalities.