John Hoeven

2000

He sought the office of the Governor of North Dakota as a Republican in 2000, and he was elected, defeating Democrat Heidi Heitkamp by a margin of 55 to 45 percent.

2004

In 2004, when up for re-election, Hoeven faced Democratic challenger Joe Satrom. Hoeven won re-election by a wide margin of 71 to 28 percent.

2008

On September 25, 2007, Hoeven's deputy press secretary, Don Larson, announced that he would be taking a leave of absence from his job to manage the governor's re-election campaign. Another Hoeven staff member, Don Canton, said this was not a formal re-election announcement, but one would be coming later in the fall. On November 13, Governor Hoeven made his formal announcement and campaign kickoff with stops in Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck and Minot.^[4] On November 4, 2008 Hoeven won a resounding victory carrying 74% of the vote over the Democratic opponent Tim Mathern with 24% of the vote. This is the first time in North Dakota's history that any governor has won three four-year terms in office, though the record for serving is still maintained by Gov. Bill Guy who served 12 years.

Tenure

Hoeven's governorship included the expansion and diversification of the state's economy, which led to a 49.5 percent increase in the state's real gross domestic product.^[5] Beginning in 2000, he directed the development of a multi-resource energy program for the state with incentives in each energy sector, leading the state in becoming one of the largest energy producing and exporting states in the country. North Dakota has gained nearly 40,000 new jobs since he took office. The state's wages and personal incomes continue to grow faster than the national average. In the past few years, the state led the nation in export growth. In late 2006, the state's reserve rose past $600 million, and now is over $700 million.^[6]

As of December 2009, Hoeven was the most popular governor in the nation. His approval rating stood at 87 percent with only 10 percent disapproving.^[7] In January 2007, Hoeven became the nation's most senior governor, having been inaugurated on December 15, 2000, as established by the North Dakota Constitution.

Committee assignments

• Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
  • Subcommittee on Commodities, Markets, Trade and Risk Management
  • Subcommittee on Jobs, Rural Economic Growth and Energy Innovation
  • Subcommittee on Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Food and Agricultural Research (Chairman)
• Committee on Appropriations
  • Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Homeland Security (Chairman)
  • Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
  • Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
• Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
  • Subcommittee on Energy
  • Subcommittee on National Parks
  • Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests and Mining
• Committee on Indian Affairs (Chairman)

Crime

Hoeven supports decreasing access to parole for offenders.^[12] He believes that drug control policy should be a state and not a federal issue.^[13]

Economy and employment

He opposed the Employee Free Choice Act, which included a card check provision.^[13]

Emergency services

Hoeven is a member of the Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus.^[14]

Energy

Hoeven believes that alternative fuels are a long-term solution but that increased oil drilling is required in the short term.^[13] Hoeven has been a vocal advocate for the Keystone Pipeline, arguing that it has never leaked and that environmental risks have been exaggerated.^[15][16] The Keystone Pipeline has leaked twice, once in 2010 and, after making that argument, again in 2016.^[17]

Gun rights

Hoeven consistently votes for pro-gun legislation and therefore has earned an "A+" rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA).^[18] The NRA has endorsed Hoeven multiple times, including during his run for governor in 2008 and senate in 2010.^[19][20]

In June 2016, Hoeven voted in the senate on four gun control proposals that were developed as a result of the Orlando nightclub shooting. Hoeven voted in favor of senator Chuck Grassley's expansion of background checks and to provide funding to research the cause of mass shootings and senator John Cornyn's 72-hour wait period for purchases of guns by individuals on the terrorist watch list. Hoeven voted against senator Chris Murphy's proposal to require background checks for every gun sale, including online sales and at gun shows. He also voted against senator Dianne Feinstein's proposal to ban anyone from the terrorist watchlist from purchasing a gun.^[21] Hoeven voted against the latter bill due to lack of "judicial oversight or due process" in the proposal.^[22]

Health care

He believes that public health care should be provided only to the elderly and children.^[13]

Immigration

In 2013, Hoeven voted to pass Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013.^[23]

LGBT rights

In 2013, Hoeven voted against banning discrimination based on sexual orientation.^[24] He is against gay marriage. ^[25]

Taxes

Hoeven supports investment tax credits for farm investments.^[13]

Women's health

He is pro-life and opposes abortion except for cases of rape, incest, or threat to the mother's life. He opposes government funding for elective abortions in accordance with the Hyde Amendment.^[12] Hoeven voted for reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act in 2012.^[12]