Reports: Cramer Will (Probably) Run For Senate

Reports indicate North Dakota Congressman at-large Kevin Cramer will indeed run for the U.S. Senate.

The Bismarck Tribune reports that a staffer for Governor Doug Burgum tweeted earlier this week that Mr. Cramer will make it official Friday afternoon in an announcement at the Ramada.

The congressman had indicated earlier this week that he would make an announcement by the weekend.

Rep. Cramer was elected to the House in 2012. As the Tribune notes, he's a former chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party and previously headed the state Public Service Commission.

The Atlantic reports oil tycoon Harold Hamm has offered to be Mr. Cramer's campaign finance chairman.

Sources in the party have indicated that should Mr. Cramer indeed make a run for the Senate, contender Tom Campbell would likely drop out to seek Mr. Cramer's House seat. That would leave the congressman with a clear road to the nomination, and a run against democrat Heidi Heitkamp.

{sources: Bismarck Tribune, Atlantic]