It's
Berg time:
Rep. Rick Berg (R-N.D.) officially announced his Senate candidacy for retiring Sen. Kent Conrad's (D) seat Monday via a video announcement, giving his party a top candidate in the open seat race.
Even though he is still new to Congress, earning a first term after defeating Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D) in 2010, Berg is popular in state Republican circles. More than 80 prominent North Dakota Republicans signed a letter encouraging him to run.
"Unfortunately, President Obama, Harry Reid and Senate Democrats have stopped real reforms," says Berg in the video. "That's why I'm running to be North Dakota's Senator, to bring much-needed change to the Senate."
Berg joins state Public Service Commissioner Brian Kalk, who has been spinning his wheels in the Republican primary, watching Berg draw pre-endorsements from prominent North Dakota Republicans while failing hard at putting together any kind of significant war chest for what will be an uphill campaign. Perennial candidate Duane Sand, who was last seen losing to Rick Berg in the '08 House primary, has also formed a Senate committee, although he says that Berg may be able to convince him to drop down to the now-open House race instead. Note that the Club For Growth is decidedly repulsed by the idea of Berg winning the Republican nomination for Senate, but it's unclear if they'll throw their weight behind one of his lackluster alternatives, or if they'll try to entice a new name into the race.
Meanwhile, Berg's decision to climb the ladder means that we now have seven confirmed open seat House races next year. Hotline On Call has a few possible Republican names who may run for the Berg's at-large seat:
A number of Republicans are mulling runs for Berg's seat, including state House Majority Leader Al Carlson, state Treasurer Kelly Schmidt, Tax Commissioner Cory Fong, North Dakota Republican Party Treasurer Bob Harms, and state Sen. Tony Grindberg.
Outgoing Public Service Commissioner Tony Clark is also considering the race, but information on potential Democratic candidates for Berg's open House seat remains scarce. Anyone have any ideas?
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