The Futures Market: North Dakota

What's the Hotline Futures Market? It's our exclusive look at the up-and-comers in every party in every state. You won't a list like this anywhere else. If you've missed a state, check out our archives.

No one understands ND. Just 2 of 10 state constitutional officers are Dems and GOPers have held the Gov's mansion since '92. GOPers outnumber Dems more than 2-1 in the state legislature. And yet the delegation to DC is made up of nothing but Dems? GOPers recognize the challenge of beating politicians as popular as Sens. Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad and Rep. Earl Pomeroy, especially when a top-tier candidate like Gov. John Hoeven (R) takes a pass on the race. But GOPers know that, once the incumbents step down, their party would be the front-runners to retake the seats. And they've already started paying attention to who those front-runners would be. [REID WILSON]

• House Maj Leader Rick Berg (R): The former Speaker remains prominent. "People would like him to" run, but he's got a young family that is currently his main focus.
• PSC Pres. Tony Clark (R): Running for re-election in '06, he's without an opponent thusfar. He's "considered a comer for the future" by everyone we spoke to.
• PSC member Kevin Cramer (R): After losing bids for Congress in '96 and '98, he was elected to his first full term as a PSC member in '04. He just passed on a Sen bid, but is considered "much more bankable" after his previous statewide experience. He's said to be good at campaigning and at the policy side of things.
• State Tax Commis. Cory Fong (R): After serving as Dep Sec/State, Fong was appointed by Gov. John Hoeven (R). He's now running for the rest of the term and GOPers "can't say enough about him."
• State Rep. RaeAnn Kelsch (R): Chair of House Ed Cmte, she may be a future candidate for House or Sen. She's "articulate" and "bright."
• Ex-Gov. Ed Schafer aide Julie Liffrig (R): She's back in the private sector.
• Insurance Commis. Jim Poolman (R): Had been urged to run against Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D), he's "one of the leaders in the state and nationwide on insurance issues."
• AG Wayne Stenehjem (R): The highest vote-getter statewide in '04, he may not want to move up. He's "happy where he is right now."
• ND GOP Exec. Dir. Jason Stverak (R): Is considering a bid for office in the future and has "great knowledge of the political environment" in ND.
• State Rep. Amy Warnke (R): Retired from the House and is now back to private sector.
• U.S. Atty Drew Wrigley (R): The former aide to Hoeven is "a potential superstar. His "stock keeps going higher and higher." People talk of a future bid for Gov or Sen with near-certainty.
• Cass Co. State's Atty Birch Burdick (D): The son of two former U.S. Sens (mother Jocelyn replaced father Quentin when he died in '92), he's resisted overtures to run for statewide office. "The name is still magic."
• State Sen. April Fairfield (D): Beat an incumbent in '02, many "won't be surprised to see her on the statewide ballot this year." "Head and shoulders above a lot of the other folks out there."
• State Rep. Pam Gulleson (D): The Asst Min leader and aide to Sen. Byron Dorgan (D) "possibly will be looked at for statewide office in the near future."
• State Sen. Joel Heitkamp (D): Ran unopposed in his last election, he now hosts a regional talk show in the Upper Midwest and Manitoba. "If the caucus wants to talk to the federal folks, Heitkamp's the guy they send." He's the brother of '00 Gov nom/ex-AG Heidi Heitkamp.
• Atty Jason Henderson (D): A member of the Dem State Cmte, he's still "a couple of years away from making a race."
• Stanley Mayor Tim Holte (D): His name is mentioned as a candidate for statewide office, and is said to be considering a future bid.
• Atty Tim Purdon (D): Chair of the Bismarck Dem Council, he was encouraged to run for AG but demurred. Party leaders are confident he'll make a bid eventually, because he "has some potential for bigger and better things."
• State Rep. Ryan Taylor (D): Described as a cowboy/singer/songwriter/author, he "made quite an impression" in his first term. He's got "the greatest potential to be a big star." Says one source: "We love Ryan."

• State Sen. Nick Hacker (R): At 24, Hacker was the only challenger to beat an incumbent Dem in '04. "People are looking at him" as "someone who should" make a bid. He's a "fresh face in the party."
• State Sen. Tony Grindberg (R): "One of the brighter legislators," people say he'd have the ability to be elected to higher office if he wanted to, though some question his ambitions. He's got the "talents needed to be successful."
• Bismarck Mayor John Warford (R): He "really shook up the market and has done some dramatic things." Warford is credited with turning the city into, according to the WSJ, one of the retail hotbeds in the country. He "makes a lot of sense."
• Dickinson Mayor Dennis Johnson (R): If he ever wanted to, say our sources, he would have a future. He's "rising to the surface"
• Ex-AG Heidi Heitkamp (D): After losing an '00 bid to Hoeven, she's still a "probable" candidate for Gov in '08. The former tax commis. is "one of the more popular" Dems in ND. Her brother, Joel, remains in the State Sen.
• State Rep. Shirley Meyer (D): Elected in '04 in GOP district, she "has been mentioned" for statewide office. "She has potential," says another source.
• Devils' Lake Fred Bott (D): After his 12th year as mayor, he's "ready to make the leap into state politics."
• Fargo School Board Member Arlette Preston (D): A former City Councillor and a candidate for Mayor in '06, she's the only Dem in a winner-take-all race. She could feasibly be the first Dem Mayor of Fargo. Some believe she'll be fed candidate material down the road.