Two retirements and the return of some familiar political names could make a Dickinson area legislative race one to watch this year.

Last year, Sen. Herb Urlacher, R-Taylor, announced his retirement after 19 years in the Legislature. Urlacher, 76, said he's not seeking re-election because he wants more free time.

Rep. C.B. "Buck" Haas, R-Taylor, also is retiring and will not be seeking re-election in 2008. Haas, who's been in the Legislature for 10 years, said he's fulfilled a "self-imposed term-limit" and wants to devote more time to his family and to traveling.

"I've fulfilled my goal there," he said of the Legislature. "I know there's work left to be done, but that's my decision."

Haas, 70, is a retired superintendent for the Dickinson School District. He said he's most proud of being an advocate for education and education funding issues in the Legislature.

The retirements have left one incumbent - Rep. Shirley Meyer, D-Dickinson - running in District 36. Meyer has announced that she's running for re-election.

Meyer will be teaming up with retired South Heart businessman Chuck Andrus, who's vying for the open Senate seat, and Dunn County rancher Todd Hall, who's vying for the open House seat.

Statewide, Democrats are focused on recapturing the state Senate and narrowing the Republican majority in the state House.

On the Republican side, former State Rep. Frank Klein said he'll be running for the House this year. He got his party's endorsement at a district convention last month, but waited until last week to make a final decision on the race.

Klein, of Dickinson, is a farmer and sales and service representative for F-M Forklift. He bills himself as "an experienced agricultural and business-minded representative" who wants to return to the Legislature to advocate for such issues as property tax relief and local control of education.

Klein won a District 36 House seat in 2000, but lost to Meyer by just 123 votes in the 2004 election.

Republicans have a big question mark as to who's running for the second House seat.

One name that's been mentioned is Mike Schatz, a former legislator who took a job last summer as executive director of the North Dakota Republican Party. Schatz, 55, is a former teacher and football coach who served in the Legislature from 1988 to 1990.

He confirmed that he's considering the race, but said the party also is talking to other potential candidates.

"I haven't announced anything yet," he said.

Schatz said he declined to speculate on how such a move would affect his job with the Republican Party.

(Reach reporter Jonathan Rivoli at 223-8482 or jonathan.rivoli@bismarcktribune.com.)