North Dakota governor not running for U.S. Senate

[jefferson_dem]

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.

<SNIP>

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

[SteppingRazor]

1. Wow. I had picked him to run...

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

[jefferson_dem]

5. A damn good thing. Would have been extra tough for a Dem hold there.

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:

[AX10]

8. The poll is in fact flawed. How can Conrad only have...

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

[Ignacio Upton]

10. When you have two popular figures

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.

[barbaraann]

2. Rats....ship...etc.

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...

[jefferson_dem]

7. Janice Rogers Brown? Did i miss news about that wicked hag?

Can someone fill me in?

[barbaraann]

9. Priscilla Owen not Brown - sorry!

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

[Barkley]

3. I nominate Ed Schultz of Air America!

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

[RC]

6. You joke, correct?

[AX10]

4. Both Hoeven and Conrad are very popular.

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.

[CatholicEdHead]

11. And Republicans do not want to risk the ND Governor's seat

in this gamble.

[deminks]

12. Gee, KKKarl Rove was there just last weekend

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!