You mean 2012 ? Hoeven will be leaving mid-term. I don’t know, I’d presume it depends if he likes the job. He’s waited a quarter-century in elective office to make it to Governor. My presumption is that he’ll run in ‘12 and perhaps retire in ‘16 when he’s 68, although he might decide to serve clear until 2020. There’s no term limits for Governor in ND.
Yes, I meant 2012. If Dalrymple doesn’t run in 2012 (á la Schweiker in PA), or loses in the primary, then the new ND governor would be in his second term in 2018.
If he does run for governor in 2012, then the ND governor in 2018 will be either a 70-year-old Dalrymple or a Republican in only his second year as governor, and we’d have to look to Congressman Cramer for a first-tier candidate.