The Eye

"At this point it's premature to discuss it," said Don Canton, Hoeven's communications director. "He hasn't ruled anything in or out."

There's no doubt that a Dorgan-Hoeven matchup would be a "battle of the titans" that would be one of the most closely watched Senate races in the nation.

Dorgan, who previously served in the U.S. House for 12 years, first won his Senate seat in 1992 with 59 percent of the vote, then increased his vote share to 63 percent in 1998 and 68 percent in 2004. That's why, in the absence of a strong Republican recruit so far, CQ Politics rates the 2010 race as Safe Democratic.

But Hoeven -- a former bank CEO who had held no previous political office -- won his first term in 2000 with 55 percent, then ramped up to 71 percent in 2004 and 74 percent in 2008. The Senate race would become "competitive instantly" were Hoeven to jump in, said Dana Harsell, an assistant professor of political science and public administration at the University of North Dakota.

"They're both well-liked figures in North Dakota," Harsell said.

State Republican officials have long been trying to persuade Hoeven to run for the seat. "He would make an absolutely great candidate," said Paul Sorenson, executive director of the North Dakota Republican Party.

As evidence of the governor's success, Sorenson pointed to North Dakota's unemployment rate, the lowest of any state, and a budget surplus projected by Hoeven's administration at between $800 million and $1.2 billion by the end of 2011.

But Democrats point out that even a popular figure such as Hoeven would have to make a convincing case to voters that they should oust Dorgan even though most continue to believe he is doing a good job.

Hoeven also would have to jump-start his fundraising if he were to get into the race in September or later. Dorgan, already well-funded, had more than $2.7 million in campaign cash on hand as March ended, according to his most recent finance report.

Dorgan is an "extremely effective" senator who is well-positioned on issues that are important to the state, said David Strauss, chairman of the North Dakota Democratic Party. Dorgan is chairman of the Senate Appropriations Energy and Water Development Subcommittee, and also holds seats on the high-profile Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Strauss added, "I'll be shocked if the governor runs."

And Robert Wood, an assistant professor of political science and public administration at the University of North Dakota, noted that many North Dakotans, if confronted with the choice, could opt to simply leave Dorgan in the Senate and let Hoeven continue to carry on as governor.

Voters might have an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude, Wood said. This is something Hoeven and his advisers will be looking at as they decide how to proceed, he said.

To see how the 2010 Senate races are shaping up, check out the CQ Politics' election map.

-- Anne L. Kim