North Dakota gubernatorial election, 2004

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Republican candidate John Hoeven
Republican candidate John Hoeven

The 2004 North Dakota gubernatorial election took place on 2 November 2004 for the post of Governor of North Dakota. Incumbent Republican Governor John Hoeven was easily re-elected defeating Democratic former state senator Joe Satrom.

Contents

[edit] Republican nomination

Incumbent Governor John Hoeven was unopposed for the Republican nomination and accepted the nomination by stating that the economy of North Dakota was his priority.[1]

[edit] Democratic nomination

Former state senator Joe Satrom defeated North Dakota House of Representatives minority leader Merle Boucher for the Democratic nomination. Satrom began campaigning for the nomination almost a year before the North Dakota Democratic Convention would choose the parties candidate for Governor. Boucher announced his candidature in December 2003 but struggled to make up ground against Satrom.

The two candidates debated at the University of North Dakota, just before the convention, with education and the future of the state's youth the main topics.[2] The Democratic Convention voted by 632 to 341 to endorse Satrom as Democratic candidate for Governor.[3]

[edit] Campaign

The two candidates met in three debates during the campaign, during the final debate on 9 October 2004 they clashed over a smoking ban, outmigration and a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.[4]

Satrom called for North Dakota to introduce a one thousand dollar donation limit, for individuals and political action committees, to avoid any perception of conflict of interest.[5] Hoeven named education, growth and jobs as his priorites but faced anger from some hunting groups over changes to hunt seasons.[6]

Opinion polls gave Hoeven a strong lead over Satrom with one in October 2004 showing Hoeven on 70% as against 22% for Satrom.[7] Hoeven raised far more money than his challenger and even a normally Democratic supporting teachers union, the North Dakota education association, endorsed Hoeven for Governor.[8] [9]

[edit] Election results

2004 gubernatorial election, North Dakota
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John Hoeven 220,803 71.3 +16.3
Democratic Joe Satrom 84,877 27.4 -17.6
Libertarian Roland Riemers 4,193 1.4 +1.4
Majority 135,926 43.9 +33.9
Turnout 309,873 63.6 +3.5
Republican hold Swing

Source: 2004 Gubernatorial General Election Results - North Dakota

[edit] References

  1. ^ No Surprise: Hoeven GOP's Man. KXMC-TV (2004-04-03). Retrieved on 2008-03-05.
  2. ^ Candidates for governor make stop at UND. Dakota Student (2004-03-30). Retrieved on 2008-03-05.
  3. ^ Satrom to Face Hoeven. KXMC-TV (2004-04-04). Retrieved on 2008-03-05.
  4. ^ Hoeven, Satrom argue outlet, smoking limits. RiverWatchOnline (2004-10-09). Retrieved on 2008-03-05.
  5. ^ Satrom - Campaign Donations. KXMC-TV (2004-10-19). Retrieved on 2008-03-05.
  6. ^ A look at the 11 governor jobs up for grabs this year. knoxstudio.com (2004-10-20). Retrieved on 2008-03-05.
  7. ^ A new poll says Governor Hoeven has a commanding lead over his Democratic challenger. KXMC-TV (2004-10-23). Retrieved on 2008-03-05.
  8. ^ Gov. Hoeven Leads North Dakota Money Race. Fox News Channel (2004-10-21). Retrieved on 2008-03-05.
  9. ^ Teachers endorse Hoeven. KXMC-TV (2004-07-13). Retrieved on 2008-03-05.