North Dakota Governor Race

Race of the Day

North Dakota Governor

September 22, 2008
43 Days Until Election Day

Status: Republican Incumbent
2004 Presidential Result: Red State (Midwest)

Outlook: Safe Republican

North Dakota is a state that is reliably Republican on the Presidential level but also has a long history of sending populist Democrats to represent the state in both Houses of Congress. When it comes to state government though, traditional pro-business Republicans have been preferred in the Governor's office.

Running for his second term, Republican Governor John Hoeven has astronomical approval ratings, perhaps even the highest in the nation, and is leading his Democrat opponent, veteran State Senator Tim Mathern by around 40 points in the only polls conducted on the contest. He also has a mustache, which not many Governors do these days.

After his landslide reelection, Republicans in North Dakota and on Capitol Hill will probably start to put the pressure on Hoeven to try to end the stranglehold the Democrats currently hold on the state's Congressional delegation.

Hoeven campaign link:

http://www.hoevengovernor.com/

2008 Governor races predicted: 4 D, 3 R
Predicted Gubernatorial total thus far: 26 D, 20 R