Hoeven plans Senate run, GOP official says

BISMARCK – North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven will run for the U.S. Senate and will official announce his candidacy tonight.

A top state Republican official told The Forum and The Associated Press that the governor will enter the race to succeed incumbent Democrat Byron Dorgan.

The official declined to be identified because he was not authorized to discuss the governor’s plans.

Hoeven is scheduled to speak to a meeting of Bismarck Republicans Monday night.

The 52-year-old Hoeven is in the middle of his third term, which he won in 2008 with more than 70 percent of the vote.

Republicans will formally endorse their Senate candidate at their state party convention in March.

The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead is owned by Forum Communications Co.

This story contains material from The Associated Press.

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