Berg running for Conrad's Senate seat

WASHINGTON, May 16 (UPI) -- Freshman U.S. Rep. Rick Berg, R-N.D., said Monday he is running for the U.S. Senate seat that will become open next year when Democrat Kent Conrad retires.

"To change Washington, we need to change the Senate," Berg said in a video posted online. "Washington could learn a lot about the way we do things in North Dakota. Unfortunately, President Obama, [Senate Majority Leader] Harry Reid [of Nevada] and Senate Democrats have stopped real reforms. That's why I'm running to be North Dakota's senator, to bring much-needed change to the Senate."

The Republican field also includes state Public Services Commissioner Brian Kalk. Roll Call reported Democratic officials are trying to convince Pam Gulleson, a former state lawmaker and one-time top aide to former Sen. Byron Dorgan, to run.

Matt Canter, a spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, quickly pooh-poohed Berg's resume.

"Rick Berg hasn't even introduced a bill, and he is already asking North Dakotans for a promotion," he said in a statement. "In fact, Rick Berg's lone accomplishment was voting for the extreme Republican plan to end Medicare for North Dakota seniors."