NRSC Statement & Background On North Dakota Senate Race

To:          Interested Parties

From:     National Republican Senatorial Committee

Re:          North Dakota Senate Race

Date:       June 12, 2012

“I congratulate Rick Berg on winning the Republican nomination for  U.S.  Senate. Rick is a native North Dakotan, successful businessman, and someone who understands the value of hard work.  Since his election to the House, Rick has been working every day to bring the North Dakota way to Washington by fighting to repeal ObamaCare, cut government spending and grow our economy.  North Dakotans understand that Washington is in dire need of individuals who know how jobs are created and that’s why I am confident they will elect Rick Berg to the Senate in November.” – U.S. Senator John Cornyn, NRSC Chairman

BACKGROUND….

Rick Berg is a successful businessman who came from humble beginnings – working on his family farm in Hettinger.

While Rick has spent the last two years fighting to reduce the tax burden on Americans, repeal ObamaCare, and cut government spending, his opponent, Heidi Heitkamp, has been an ardent supporter of the President and his far-left policies including ObamaCare and higher taxes.

Heitkamp Is a Liberal
Heitkamp is desperately trying to portray herself as a moderate, but her actions including her support of Harry Reid for Senate Leader and her multiple fundraising junkets to Los Angeles and San Francisco with some of the lefts biggest icons including Tammy Baldwin and Dianne Feinstein give every indication that she will simply be another reliable vote in support of the Reid-Pelosi-Obama agenda.

Heitkamp Re-Writing History
As part of her attempt to re-write history, Heitkamp has attempted to distance herself from her support of ObamaCare, but Politico noted she’s unable to present any evidence of questioning the legislation prior to her run for Senate.

In another shameless attempt to mislead voters, Heitkamp is attempting to run a pro-energy campaign, yet cannot explain why her view of America’s future with energy includes re-electing a President who has been decidedly anti-energy.
North Dakota
President Obama’s perilous standing among the North Dakota electorate will also affect Heitkamp’s standing with voters.  According to a Gallup survey in August 2011 showed the President’s approval rating hovering at an abysmal 37%.  This number is key because in 2010 Republicans won 7 of the 8 competitive senate races where the President’s approval rating was 46% or lower.  Clearly, Heitkamp’s support of the President’s re-election and ObamaCare ensures that she will have a difficult time with North Dakota voters.

North Dakota is a Republican state.  There are 12 statewide constitutional offices and Republicans hold every single one.  North Dakota’s state legislature is also solidly Republican.  Senate: 35R-12D; House: 69R-25D.

Berg vs. Heitkamp

Berg

• Fighting to repeal ObamaCare
• Leading the fight for a Balanced Budget Amendment
• Working to expand domestic energy production

Heitkamp

• Says that ObamaCare was a “legacy vote”
• Claims to support a balanced budget amendment – but only with “exceptions”
• Thinks Barack Obama is “amazing”

·         Supports liberal Harry Reid as Senate Majority Leader

Read more at NRSC