The next big election is 14 months away and already ALREADY campaigning has started... Donnell Preskey looks into why the early push...

If it looks like a campaign ad..

And sounds like a campaign ad.

It's probably a campaign ad..

But wait... The next election isn't until November 2010..

(Joe) "I think you see these things start earlier and earlier these days. There's a lot of question whether the Governor is going to run for the Senate so it's important we talk about Senator Dorgan's record early in the game." Democratic Senator Byron Dorgan and the North Dakota Republican Party both started running ads last week

(Gary Emineth) what it's demonstrating is that Dorgan is concerned, he sees himself as vaulnerable, he's concerned about a strong challenger in Governor Hoeven if he gets in the race

With Democrats controlling both the U.S. House and Senate every seat is vital to them..

(Joe) "Sen. Dorgan has done a lot of good things for the state of ND. He's brought home a lot of things and certainly his ranking as a senior member of Congress has been essential in projects here in North Dakota." But the potential of Hoeven running against Dorgan is a race the National Republican Party sees as a way to start gaining back control... Emineth says there's pressure in finding a strong challenger both nationally and locally..

(Emineth) our fundraising to date in 2009 is 50% higher than it's ever been in the history of the party in a non election year. People are giving in ND like never been giving before. It's because of the hope that Governor Hoeven will be in the race and have a strong congressional candidate but also saying have to stop what's going on in Washington

Governor Hoeven has not said if he will run for the Senate seat

If he does Emineth says it will be one of the top races in the country...

A recent GOP poll shows Republican Kevin Cramer within striking distance of Democratic Representative Earl Pomeroy.

Cramer who's Chairman of the state Public Service Commission has not announced he is running for Congress.

Pomeroy plans to seek his 10th House term in 2010. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list