John Hoven is expected to win re-election and beat Becker, Christiansen in the US Senate race

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota Republican John Hoven has won re-election to a third term in the U.S. Senate.

Hoven was edged out by Rick Becker, a fellow Republican who ran as an independent after losing the GOP endorsement to Hoven, and Democrat Katrina Christiansen, a University of Jamestown engineering professor and political newcomer.

Hoeven, a former banker who served three terms as governor and easily won his first two terms in the Senate, far outpaced his opponents. Federal election filings through Nov. 3 show Hoeven’s campaign has raised more than $4 million, compared to Becker’s roughly $550,000 and Christiansen’s roughly $92,600.

Becker tried to turn that history and money against him at the party convention, portraying Hoeven as a money-grubbing, government-minded politician who has lost touch with his conservative base.

Hoven highlighted his involvement in North Dakota’s economic development and his opposition to many of President Joe Biden’s policies. Hoven received a video message of support from former President Donald Trump, who remains popular in the state.

Before he was first elected to the Senate in 2010, Hoeven served as governor of North Dakota for a decade and seven years before that as president of the State Bank of North Dakota. The former Democrat switched parties four years before becoming governor.

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