The further decline of the endangered Western Democrat

From Eric Dondero:

On Monday, Libertarian Republican reported on the Democrat Party of South Dakota backing off a challenge to incumbent US Senator John Thune. The article: "Thune, smooth cattle ride to Reelection." The Democrats simply could not find a candidate to run against the popular Republican.

Now, further evidence of the Party's serious decline in the upper Central West.

From the Dickinson Press, Bismark April 10, "ND Dems short of candidates for Legislature":

North Dakota Democrats haven't put up challengers for Republican incumbents in Williston, Devils Lake and Bismarck, and may allow seven incumbent GOP state senators to run unopposed for re-election, candidate filings show.

Democratic slates in 24 legislative districts holding elections this fall had a number of holes Friday as the filing deadline passed for North Dakota's June 8 primary.

Democratic candidates are not running for either the House or Senate in District 1, which includes the city of Williston; District 15, which covers Devils Lake, Ramsey County and part of southern Towner County; or District 47 in north Bismarck, one of the state's strongest GOP areas.

In four other districts, Democrats are fielding only one House candidate to compete with two Republicans for each district's two House seats.

In contrast, Republicans failed to come up with a challenger for only one single Democrat-held seat.

Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem, R-Bismarck noted wryle:

"It doesn't look like it will be a good year to run as a Democrat in North Dakota."