Thursday, Nov. 05, 2009
Byron Dorgan (North Dakota)
Most handicappers still count Byron Dorgan's Senate seat as safely in the Democratic column, but that could change if Republican Governor John Hoeven decides to pitch his hat into the ring. Hoeven won re-election in 2008 with 74% of the vote, in a state that went for McCain over Obama by a margin of 53% to 45%. Dorgan, a former tax commissioner and Congressman, has represented his state in the Senate since 1992 and has already begun running campaign ads, even without a challenger.