Free Republic

The choice in North Dakota’s U.S. Senate race, according to one of the candidates, is a simple binary: a bowl of oatmeal, or an egg-avocado breakfast platter. That metaphor was recently posted on Facebook, in meme form, by Rick Becker, a Republican state lawmaker who just launched a primary campaign to unseat Republican incumbent Sen. John Hoeven. Neither of their names are referenced. But the suggestion is clear: Becker—a fire-breathing MAGA conservative popular with the state’s ultra-right—is meant to be the exciting, appetizing choice. And Hoeven—a reserved two-term senator who is as likely to appear on an agriculture policy newscast...

GRAND FORKS — When state Rep. Rick Becker announced his retirement from the Legislature last month, it had the ring of a farewell. The Bismarck Republican wrote an editorial about passing the legislative torch; it seemed likely that the rest of his 2022 might mark a transition into private life. Not anymore. This weekend, Becker announced he’s entering the race for the U.S. Senate, challenging incumbent Republican and ex-governor John Hoeven for one of the highest seats in North Dakota politics. The move sets up a long-shot challenge against one of the state’s most invincible politicians. Hoeven, who was elected...