North Dakota governor not running for U.S. Senate

North Dakota governor not running for U.S. Senate

The Associated Press - Friday, September 30, 2005
BISMARCK, N.D.

Gov. John Hoeven said Friday he will not challenge U.S. Sen. Kent Conrad next year, depriving Republicans of someone they considered their strongest candidate against the Democratic incumbent.

"A day may come when we ask the people of North Dakota to allow us to serve them in a different capacity, but that time is not now," Hoeven said Friday in a brief statement issued by his office.

"The outpouring of support and encouragement I have received to run for the United States Senate is truly humbling, but as I have said, repeatedly, I am focused squarely on the job of governor," Hoeven said.

The governor could not be reached immediately for further comment.

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http://www.in-forum.com/ap/index.cfm?page=view&id=D8CUPRMG1

The GOP's got nobody now. Even state senators and reps have said they won't run.

FARGO, N.D. - A new poll shows that a race pitting Gov. John Hoeven as the challenger for Sen. Kent Conrad's seat would be a close battle.

Conrad's office called the poll "flawed," while Hoeven declined comment. The matchup is hypothetical. Hoeven has not declared himself a candidate for Conrad's seat in 2006.

The poll conducted for The Forum by PMR Inc. of Davenport, Iowa, showed Hoeven leading Conrad 35 percent to 27 percent. The poll has a margin of error of 3.9 percentage points.

http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/12618559.htm

Safe as hell now, however! :woohoo:

35%? He's got a 72% approval rating and has won every race handily.

The race becomes close. For example, Kerry against Weld in 1996. Both were popular and had job approval numbers above 60%. Also, North Dakota is a Republican state.

Pretty soon there won't be any room in the water for the rats to jump into.

I need to check on Janice Rogers Brown...

Can someone fill me in?

But we can still hope Brown withdraws, too. :-)

Come-on Big Eddie I'd love to see you as Gov.

A close race, most likely, but still, Conrad's populist and as the State's Senior Senator, he takes good care of his state.

Hoeven would have an uphill battle against Conrad.

in this gamble.

supposedly fundraising, but also trying to get the governor to run for Senate. Did a lot of good, huh Karl? Karl should have been concentrating on hurricanes!