Heitkamp ran a stronger-than-expected campaign. Heitkamp scores upset win

Democrat Heidi Heitkamp scored an upset in the North Dakota Senate race early Wednesday, defeating Rick Berg in a race many expected the Republican congressman to win.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Heitkamp was ahead 50.5 percent to 49.5 percent.


The race had been seen as a longshot for Democrats. But Heitkamp, a likable former state attorney general, ran a pitch-perfect campaign.

Heitkamp, who had been elected statewide six times, openly sought to distance herself from President Barack Obama.

The seat is currently held by retiring Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad, so Heitkamp’s victory will keep the seat in the Democratic column.

Berg argued that Heitkamp would be a rubber stamp for the president if she were elected and Obama won.

Gov. Mitt Romney cut an advertisement for Berg, saying he would be the “51st senator to help reduce the size of government, repeal the government takeover of healthcare, and cut taxes on small business.”

Former President Bill Clinton came to the state to stump for Heitkamp. He called her a “commonsense bipartisan” choice for the seat and noted that she had once sued his administration when serving as attorney general.