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In the News

North Dakota’s booming economy breaks the mold

The state’s trend-busting boom gives its political dynamic — and the tight race for U.S. Senate — a rarefied air.

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Heidi Heitkamp, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate and a former North Dakota attorney general, chats during a stop at the Mandan rodeo. She and her opponent, Republican Rep. Rick Berg, are vying for the open seat of retiring Democrat Kent Conrad. But in a state where the economy is actually doing well, the political debate sounds a little different than it does in the rest of the country.

Carlos Javier Ortiz / For The Washington Post

A cowboy practices his roping skills before competing at the Mandan rodeo. Good years for North Dakota farming, a new technology sector and — most significant — a dramatic oil rush in the state's west and north have combined to produce an economic explosion that is the envy of the rest of the country — a 3 percent unemployment rate and rising household incomes and state revenue.

A cowboy practices his roping skills before competing at the Mandan rodeo. Good years for North Dakota farming, a new technology sector and — most significant — a dramatic oil rush in the state's west and north have combined to produce an economic explosion that is the envy of the rest of the country — a 3 percent unemployment rate and rising household incomes and state revenue.

Carlos Javier Ortiz / For The Washington Post

Heidi Heitkamp watches as Sen. Kent Conrad speaks at a Democratic Party event in Bismarck. Conrad is retiring after 26 years as the incumbent. He said Heitkamp, who is vying for the Senate seat, has a natural sincerity that will appeal in a state that values its independence.

Heidi Heitkamp watches as Sen. Kent Conrad speaks at a Democratic Party event in Bismarck. Conrad is retiring after 26 years as the incumbent. He said Heitkamp, who is vying for the Senate seat, has a natural sincerity that will appeal in a state that values its independence.

Carlos Javier Ortiz / For The Washington Post

Heitkamp talks with a supporter at a Democratic Party event. In a state where President Obama is deeply unpopular, Heitkamp has distanced herself from him, criticizing the decision on the Keystone pipeline and his failure to make good on promises to unify the country. But she said she plant to vote for Obama in November.<a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/keystone-down-the-line/'>Keystone</a> pipeline decision, for example.

Heitkamp talks with a supporter at a Democratic Party event. In a state where President Obama is deeply unpopular, Heitkamp has distanced herself from him, criticizing the decision on the Keystone pipeline and his failure to make good on promises to unify the country. But she said she plant to vote for Obama in November.Keystone pipeline decision, for example.

Carlos Javier Ortiz / For The Washington Post

Republican Rep. Rick Berg speaks criticizes President Obama’s health-care law at an event in Bismarck. Berg, who defeated an 18-year incumbent Democrat in 2010 to take the state’s only House seat, is now running for the Senate, arguing that North Dakota's economic success shows that Republican ideas on taxes and regulation can work.

Republican Rep. Rick Berg speaks criticizes President Obama’s health-care law at an event in Bismarck. Berg, who defeated an 18-year incumbent Democrat in 2010 to take the state’s only House seat, is now running for the Senate, arguing that North Dakota's economic success shows that Republican ideas on taxes and regulation can work.

Carlos Javier Ortiz / For The Washington Post

A tractor that took part in the Mandan Fourth of July parade. “People in North Dakota are just really fired up,” Berg said after the parade. “They can’t figure out why Washington can’t do things like we do in North Dakota.”

A tractor that took part in the Mandan Fourth of July parade. “People in North Dakota are just really fired up,” Berg said after the parade. “They can’t figure out why Washington can’t do things like we do in North Dakota.”

Carlos Javier Ortiz / For The Washington Post

Salem Sue, billed as the world’s largest Holstein cow, stands tall off Interstate 94 near New Salem. While most states' economies are struggling, North Dakota’s booming economy stands out.

Salem Sue, billed as the world’s largest Holstein cow, stands tall off Interstate 94 near New Salem. While most states' economies are struggling, North Dakota’s booming economy stands out.

Carlos Javier Ortiz / For The Washington Post

Heidi Heitkamp campaigns during the Mandan Fourth of July parade. A Mason-Dixon poll from early June showed a statistical tie, with Heitkamp leading Berg 47 percent to 46 percent. Heitkamp led 51 percent to 36 percent among independents.

Heidi Heitkamp campaigns during the Mandan Fourth of July parade. A Mason-Dixon poll from early June showed a statistical tie, with Heitkamp leading Berg 47 percent to 46 percent. Heitkamp led 51 percent to 36 percent among independents.

Carlos Javier Ortiz / For The Washington Post

Supporters of Republican Rep. Rick Berg take part in the Mandan parade. Berg contends the close polls are a just reflection that the election is still four months away.

Supporters of Republican Rep. Rick Berg take part in the Mandan parade. Berg contends the close polls are a just reflection that the election is still four months away.

Carlos Javier Ortiz / For The Washington Post

Fourth of July revelers come out for the parade in Mandan.

Fourth of July revelers come out for the parade in Mandan.

Carlos Javier Ortiz / For The Washington Post

Rick Berg campaigns during the Mandan parade. “If they want someone who they can trust, who’s going to fight against the president’s failed policies, like Obamacare, they’ll support me,” Berg said.

Rick Berg campaigns during the Mandan parade. “If they want someone who they can trust, who’s going to fight against the president’s failed policies, like Obamacare, they’ll support me,” Berg said.

Carlos Javier Ortiz / For The Washington Post

A Berg supporter shows off campaign swag at the North Dakota Republican Party office in Bismarck.

A Berg supporter shows off campaign swag at the North Dakota Republican Party office in Bismarck.

Carlos Javier Ortiz / For The Washington Post

A memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol in Bismarck honors service members killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

A memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol in Bismarck honors service members killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Carlos Javier Ortiz / For The Washington Post

Color guards from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1326 stand for the Pledge of Allegiance before Bismarck's Fourth of July fireworks concert.

Color guards from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1326 stand for the Pledge of Allegiance before Bismarck's Fourth of July fireworks concert.

Carlos Javier Ortiz / For The Washington Post

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