BISMARCK -- A Republican source close to Rep. Rick Berg, R-N.D., said Berg will likely announce as early as next week his intentions for the seat being vacated by Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D.
Politico, a Washington, D.C., media organization, also reported that multiple Republicans have said Berg will announce his Senate candidacy next week.
Republican state legislators have encouraged Berg to make the move, and some already have their eye on filling his House seat. Berg has said he's "seriously considering" running for the Senate.
Berg, a former state lawmaker from Fargo, is in his first term representing the state in Congress after defeating former Rep. Earl Pomeroy last fall.
Berg now serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, which is charged with writing tax legislation and bills affecting Social Security, Medicare and other entitlement programs.
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Berg would be the second Republican to enter the race. Public Service Commissioner Brian Kalk is also running for the seat.
No matter who enters the race, it will be up to state Republicans to decide who gets the endorsement next spring, said North Dakota Republican Party Chairman Stan Stein.
Finneman is a multimedia reporter for Forum Communications Co., which owns the Herald.
