Schafer really should run against Conrad even if it’s for a single term. 2012 would be too soon for the ND GOP to have any other first-tier candidates, but by 2018 we’ll hopefully have another two-term governor ready to run for the Senate, as well as three-term Congressman Cramer just in case.
Hoeven’s Gubernatorial successor will be Jack Dalrymple. However, I can almost guarantee you Dalrymple won’t run for the Senate in 2018. Why ? He’ll be 70.