Mike Liffrig remains open to seeking a political office someday - but it won't be in the near future.

Liffrig, a Republican who lost a challenge to Sen. Byron Dorgan in 2004 by more than a 2-to-1 ratio, said he is not bitter about losing the race, but he doesn't have political aspirations for 2006.

"I'm open to running again at some point, but it won't be next year," Liffrig said.

Liffrig applied for the position of tax commissioner after Rick Clayburgh resigned earlier this summer. However, Gov. John Hoeven appointed Cory Fong to the position.

The timing of another run for office would have to fit with his family and work schedule, Liffrig said.

Liffrig continues to pick up the pieces of his campaign against Dorgan. He said he is still paying off $150,000 worth of loans he took out to fund his campaign. He took out the loans with the hopes that his campaign would raise enough money to cover them.

Liffrig, who is a jury consultant, recently hosted a candidate for president at his home.

Joe Schriner, who has been running a write-in campaign since 1999, stayed with Liffrig last week during a stop in the area.

Schriner has traveled 70,000 miles across the country with his wife and three kids, promoting his "Average Joe" campaign.

Schriner, an independent, is a conservative when it comes to some issues like abortion, but he characterized himself as being left of the Green Party when it comes to environmental issues.

DOE takes info on gas prices

Suspicions of price gouging seem to rise with the cost of gasoline.

To protect consumers from being gouged, the Department of Energy is taking information on its Web site from citizens about the prices they are paying.

By visiting gaswatch.energy.gov, a person can e-mail the DOE with information about the prices they are paying at a particular station and submit comments.

The Web site states that the Department of Energy is concerned about the impact of gasoline prices on American families and that the DOE is making sure consumers are not being price-gouged at the pump.

The site also has energy-savings tips for cars and frequently asked questions about gas prices.

Fight for funds

According to the National Republican Congressional Committee, Republican targets in the Retain Our Majority Program have maintained a second quarter cash-on-hand lead over the 10 most vulnerable Democrats.

According to Federal Election Commission reports, the top nine ROMP Republicans, on average, out-banked "frontline" Democrats by 38 percent - $630,829 to $457,347.

(Reach reporter Tom Rafferty at 223-8482 or tom.rafferty@bismarcktribune.com.)