2004 North Dakota gubernatorial election

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-NPL former state senator Joe Satrom.

2004 North Dakota gubernatorial election

November 2, 2004

Nominee John Hoeven Joe Satrom Party Republican Democratic-NPL Running mate Jack Dalrymple Deb Mathern Popular vote 220,803 84,877 Percentage 71.3% 27.4%

County Results Hoeven:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Satrom:      50–60%

Governor before election John Hoeven Republican Elected Governor John Hoeven Republican

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]

Democratic-NPL nomination

Former state senator Joe Satrom defeated North Dakota House of Representatives minority leader Merle Boucher for the Democratic-NPL nomination. Satrom began campaigning for the nomination almost a year before the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Convention would choose the parties candidate for Governor. Boucher announced his candidacy 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-NPL Convention voted by 632 to 341 to endorse Satrom as their candidate for Governor.[3]

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 priorities 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]

Election results

North Dakota gubernatorial election, 2004[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	John Hoeven (Incumbent)	220,803	71.26%	+16.23%
	Democratic-NPL	Joe Satrom	84,877	27.39%	-17.58%
	Libertarian	Roland Riemers	4,193	1.35%
Majority			135,926	43.87%	+33.81%
Turnout			309,873
	Republican hold		Swing

References

1. "No Surprise: Hoeven GOP's Man". KXMC-TV. 2004-04-03. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
2. "Candidates for governor make stop at UND". Dakota Student. 2004-03-30. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
3. "Satrom to Face Hoeven". KXMC-TV. 2004-04-04. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
4. "Hoeven, Satrom argue outlet, smoking limits". RiverWatchOnline. 2004-10-09. Archived from the original on 2008-02-16. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
5. "Satrom – Campaign Donations". KXMC-TV. 2004-10-19. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
6. "A look at the 11 governor jobs up for grabs this year". knoxstudio.com. 2004-10-20. Archived from the original on November 25, 2004. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
7. "A new poll says Governor Hoeven has a commanding lead over his Democratic challenger". KXMC-TV. 2004-10-23. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
8. "Gov. Hoeven Leads North Dakota Money Race". Fox News Channel. 2004-10-21. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
9. "Teachers endorse Hoeven". KXMC-TV. 2004-07-13. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
10. Election Results Portal