John Hoeven

In 2000 Hoeven ran for governor of North Dakota as a Republican and won, defeating Democratic NPL nominee Heidi Heitkamp, 55 to 45 percent.

In 2004, when up for reelection, Hoeven faced Democratic-NPL nominee Joe Satrom. He was reelected with 71% of the vote.

On November 13, 2008, Hoeven announced his candidacy for a third term and kicked off his campaign with stops in Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck and Minot.[9] On November 4, he was reelected with 74% of the vote over Democratic-NPL nominee Tim Mathern. It was the first time in North Dakota history that a governor won three four-year terms in office, though the record for serving is still maintained by Bill Guy, who served 12 years.

Hoeven's governorship included the expansion and diversification of the state's economy, which led to a 49.5% increase in the state's real gross domestic product.[10] Beginning in 2000, he directed the development of a multi-resource energy program for the state with incentives in each energy sector, making North Dakota one of the largest energy-producing and exporting states in the country. The state gained nearly 40,000 new jobs during his tenure. Wages and personal incomes grew faster than the national average. For a 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.[11]

As of December 2009, Hoeven was the country's most popular governor. His approval rating stood at 87% with only 10% disapproving.[12] 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 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)

Hoeven supports decreasing access to parole for offenders.[18] He believes that drug control policy should be a state issue, not a federal one.[19]

Hoeven opposed the Employee Free Choice Act, which included a card check provision.[19]

Hoeven believes that alternative fuels are a long-term solution but that increased oil drilling is required in the short term.[19] He has been a vocal advocate for the Keystone Pipeline, arguing that it has never leaked and that environmental risks have been exaggerated.[20][21] The Keystone Pipeline has leaked twice, in 2010 and in 2016.[22]

In 2015, Hoeven submitted an amendment asserting that climate change is real and that humans are contributing to it but also that the Keystone Pipeline would not contribute to climate change.[23] His League of Conservation Voters score was 7% for 2018.[24]

Hoeven consistently votes for pro-gun legislation and has earned an "A+" rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA).[25] The NRA has endorsed him multiple times, including during his campaigns for governor in 2008 and senator in 2010.[26][27]

In June 2016, Hoeven voted in the Senate on four gun control proposals that were developed as a result of the Orlando nightclub shooting. He voted for Chuck Grassley's expansion of background checks and to provide funding to research the cause of mass shootings, and for John Cornyn's 72-hour wait period for purchases of guns by individuals on the terrorist watch list. He voted against Chris Murphy's proposal to require background checks for every gun sale, including online sales and at gun shows, and against Dianne Feinstein's proposal to ban anyone from the terrorist watchlist from purchasing a gun.[28] Hoeven voted against the latter bill due to its lack of "judicial oversight or due process".[29]

In April 2017, Hoeven co-sponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act (s. 720), which would bar federal contractors from participating in boycotts against Israel or Israeli settlement.[30][31]

In 2013, Hoeven voted to pass Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013.[32]

In 2013, Hoeven voted against banning discrimination based on sexual orientation.[33] He is against same-sex marriage.[34]

Hoeven supports investment tax credits for farm investments.[19]

Hoeven identifies as pro-life, opposing abortion in all cases except for rape, incest, or threat to the mother's life. He opposes government funding for elective abortions and is a supporter of the Hyde Amendment, which permits federal funding for abortion services only under the above stated exceptions.[18] Hoeven voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act in 2012.[18]