Democrat Earl Pomeroy Won't Run For North Dakota Senate Seat

[WI_DEM]

Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) will not run for the open Senate seat of retiring Democratic Sen. Byron Dorgan, RealClearPolitics reports -- a serious blow to Dems in their efforts to keep this seat.

A Democratic source has also confirmed the news to TPMDC.

Third-term Republican Gov. John Hoeven is set to run for the seat, and starts out the race as a heavy favorite. In addition to Pomeroy, who would have been the strongest possible Democratic candidate, the party has also been courting liberal talk show host Ed Schultz, who launched his broadcasting career in North Dakota.

It's been an interesting last 24 hours for Senate Democrats. Yesterday, they were more likely than not to re-elect Byron Dorgan in North Dakota (Hoeven was not in the race, and there was no top-tier opponent) and lose Chris Dodd in Connecticut. Now both seats are open, and as it currently stands they are likely to lose in North Dakota and keep Connecticut.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/01/democrat-earl-pomeroy-wont-run-for-north-dakota-senate-seat.php

[napi21]

1. I have no idea what Schultz will do, but I think he would be very good!

Ed is from Fargo, and he knows the people and how they think. I'd like to see him try!

[WI_DEM]

2. I read he can't run because he has to be a resident of ND for five years.

[napi21]

3. I know he broadcast his radio show from Fargo. Don't you think the

Dem that contacted him would have checked that before asking him? I honestly don't know where his residence was. I heard him many times talking about going fishing in Mn. on weekends, but I also heard him talking a lot about Fargo during the week. Maybe he was a resident of ND with a second home in MN???

[quiller4]

4. He can run for Senator. He just couldn't run for gov or AG where 5 yr rule applies. n/t

[CK_John]

5. Those laws are only for state offices, he only needs to fill rules states in constitution for Senate