The Republican primary is still more than two months away, and the filing deadline hasn’t even passed, but retired Navy officer Duane Sand’s second bid to oust Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D) picked up the backing of the state GOP at its convention last weekend.

Despite North Dakota’s Republican lean and the fact that this is a presidential cycle, however, Sand faces an uphill climb.

Sand lost to Pomeroy by 20 points in 2004, and thus far this cycle he has far fewer resources to draw on than his Democratic opponent.

Pomeroy closed 2007 with more than $1.1 million on hand. Sand finished the period with a paltry $95,000 in the bank and $155,000 in campaign debt.
— David M. Drucker