With no challenge to fend off from popular Governor John Hoeven, whom the White House and others had urged to run for Senate this year, the path to reelection of incumbent Democratic Senator Kent Conrad so far appears smooth.

Senator Conrad, serving his third term, enjoys a lead ranging from 13 to 28 percentage points against each candidate considering the Republican nomination.

When likely voters are asked about a match-up against Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, Conrad leads 53% to 40%.

Matched against Public Services Commissioner Kevin Cramer, Conrad leads 57% to 35%.

Matched against Bismarck Mayor John Warford, Conrad leads 59% to 31%.

In each proposed contest, only 6% at most are unsure of their choice, a relatively low number of undecided voters this early in an election year.

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Senator Conrad is viewed favorably by 65%. Stenehjem is viewed favorably by 53%. Only 31% view Cramer favorably. And even fewer, 22%, view Warford favorably, with 52% unsure what to think of him.

A good clue to why the Republicans were so eager to recruit Governor Hoeven for the Senate race may be found in how many voters view the governor favorably: a whopping 76%, making him even more popular than the senator.

Sixty-two percent (62%) of the state's voters favor building a barrier across the U.S.-Mexico border to help stem illegal immigration. But most voters say the war in Iraq is a more important issue than immigration.

Visit our Election Polls page to see a summary of our latest state-by state polling. Rasmussen Reports is polling every Senate and Governors' race at least once a month this year.

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