John Hoeven has represented North Dakota in the U.S. Senate since 2011, after serving a decade as one of the most pro-development governors in the country. His brand is pure North Dakota: energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and predictable pro-business policy.
In Washington, Hoeven has focused on crop insurance and Farm Bill guarantees, highway and water projects, tax incentives for drilling and refining, and fighting off what he frames as federal overreach on energy and land use. He markets it as “letting North Dakota drive North Dakota’s economy.”
He’s extremely popular at home and seen as reliable by industry, but he’s also drawn steady criticism from environmental groups and some Democrats for hard opposition to climate regulation and for his closeness with fossil fuel interests.
Mainstream Conservative
Achievements
- Expanded North Dakota’s oil and gas development as governor and senator
- Secured federal funding for highways, water projects, and rural broadband
- Backed strong crop insurance and Farm Bill safety nets for producers
- Advocated for tax incentives and regulatory relief to drive private-sector growth
- Helped steer long-term investment into state energy and ag logistics
Controversies
- Criticized for very close alignment with fossil fuel and pipeline interests
- Strong opposition to comprehensive climate legislation and EPA regulatory pushes
- Pushback over certain healthcare repeal/reform votes
- Accusations of prioritizing agribusiness and oil majors over small producers and tribal concerns
- Questions about whether federal relief funding favors industry allies
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Israel Public Affairs Cmte | $131,900 | $124,000 | $7,900 |
| Pro-Israel America PAC | $39,800 | $39,800 | $0 |
| Hess Corp | $27,900 | $17,900 | $10,000 |
| Blackstone Group | $27,631 | $27,631 | $0 |
| NorPAC | $22,000 | $22,000 | $0 |
Amounts shown reflect organization-linked giving; most funds listed here are from individual donors or aligned PACs.
Recent Elections
2010 Margin R +54%
2016 Margin R +61.5%
2022 Margin R +31.4%