North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) confirmed Monday night that he will run, as expected, for Senate in 2010.

Hoeven, speaking before a meeting of local Republican organizations in Bismarck, N.D., declared his candidacy for the open seat being vacated by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) in 2010 and called for “lower taxes, less debt and federal tax incentives to prod business growth and energy production,” the AP reported.

The Democrats have yet to field a candidate to run in Dorgan’s stead, though former Attorney General Heidi Heitkamp has expressed interest in the contest. Heitkamp lost to Hoeven the 2000 governor’s race; she was diagnosed with breast cancer mid-way through the race.

With Hoeven’s entry into the race, CQ Politics is changing its race rating from Toss Up to Likely Republican.

To follow all the 2010 Senate races, check out the CQ Politics election map.