"A new poll shows that a race pitting" North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven (R) "as the challenger for Sen. Kent Conrad's (D-ND) seat would be a close battle," the Grand Forks Herald reports. In fact, Hoeven leads Conrad, 35% to 27%.
"Conrad's office called the poll 'flawed,' while Hoeven declined comment. The matchup is hypothetical. Hoeven has not declared himself a candidate for Conrad's seat in 2006."