The district was represented by Kelly Armstrong who served in Congress until December 2024 when he resigned to take office as Governor of North Dakota.

The district was first created when North Dakota achieved statehood on November 2, 1889, electing a single member.

Following the 1910 United States census a third seat was gained, with the legislature drawing three separate districts.

After the third seat was lost, North Dakota returned to electing two members at-large (statewide).

In 1973, following the 1970 census, the delegation was reduced to one seat, represented statewide by an at-large district.