First-term Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, announced that “she won’t pursue a second run for the office of North Dakota governor, ending months of speculation by opting to remain in the U.S. Senate,” reports the Bismarck (ND) Tribune. “Heitkamp was considered the strongest potential candidate for North Dakota Democrats.” Heitkamp ran for governor in 2000.
“Following her announcement, Heitkamp said balancing her Senate job and running a campaign would be difficult. She added that numerous issues impacting North Dakotans in the Senate need to be addressed, including reauthorizing the federal Export-Import Bank, passing a new highway bill, various Native American issues and repealing the oil export ban,” said the Tribune.
Roll Call said Heitkamp “is expected to face a stiff re-election challenge in 2018.