Gov. John Hoeven will seek an unprecedented third term, and his lieutenant governor, Jack Dalrymple, will join him for the ride.

Hoeven's intentions became public Tuesday when his office announced that a senior staffer would run the governor's re-election campaign.

Don Larson, who played a role in Hoeven's 2004 re-election campaign, will manage the 2008 campaign, the governor's office said Tuesday in a statement. Larson was serving as a communications and policy aide to Hoeven.

Asked if the new appointment meant Hoeven definitely would seek a third term as governor, Larson answered:

"Yes. He sent me down here to get things ready for his official announcement that will occur later this fall."

There will be no surprises when Hoeven makes that official announcement, Larson said.

If Hoeven wins the 2008 election, he would become the first governor in North Dakota history to be elected to three four-year terms.

Hoeven - or any incumbent - makes a strong candidate, said Jamie Selzler, executive director of the North Dakota Democratic Party.

"But in this case, the first thing the governor should let the people know is: If he is elected, will he stick it out? There is lots of speculation that he would like to go to Washington, D.C.," said Selzler.

That would mean a Hoeven challenge to a member of the Democratic congressional delegation, probably Sen. Byron Dorgan or Rep. Earl Pomeroy, whose terms are up in 2010.

"We think the governor should promise to serve out the full four-year term or be up-front with people and let them know that he might leave early," Selzler said. "North Dakotans appreciate honesty, and they expect honesty out of their governor."

Hoeven said Tuesday he would not speculate on the future.

"I'm focused on what we are doing now: working to serve the people of North Dakota. I'm not ruling anything out or in. My focus is on running for governor and doing the best job I can for the people of North Dakota," Hoeven said.

One Democrat so far is considering a run for governor. Fargo state Sen. Tim Mathern, a former Democratic Senate floor leader, announced he is forming an exploratory committee to run for governor.

Mathern said Hoeven would be "a tough candidate," but that Hoeven's decision to run for re-election will not affect whether he seeks the Democratic endorsement.

Mathern said two terms as governor should be enough for Hoeven, and said he hoped the Republican incumbent would see a challenger at the state GOP convention.

"It's time for a change. People should move on. He should be moving on," Mathern said. "I hope there is somebody in his party who challenges him. That would be good for democracy."

Other Democrats are considering a race, said Selzler.

"There are two other legislators. I expect we will hear from them in the next few weeks," he said. He declined to name the legislators.

The Republican state party chairman doesn't see any fellow Republicans challenging Hoeven.

"In fact, Idon't think any Democrats want to run against him," said Gary Emineth. "Idon't know if we've ever had a governor this popular. Anyone challenging him within the party is improbable."

Emineth wasn't surprised that Hoeven, 50, will run again.

"He has some things unfinished that he wants to do, and he is a young man," he said.

Selzler said he was surprised on some levels that Hoeven would seek a third term.

"Running for a third term is rare in North Dakota politics and in the governor's office. If for no other reason, this is unusual," he said.

He also pointed to rising property taxes and rising college tuition as two issues Hoeven will have to explain to voters during the campaign.

"Things are not as great as he would like us to think," Selzler said.

Larson said there was no official announcement about Hoeven seeking a third term "because we wanted to be straight up with people."

He expects Hoeven's official announcement to come in late October or early November.

"There is a lot of stuff to do to get ready for a campaign. Now's the time to start doing that," he said.

Dalrymple, 58, said he was looking forward to another campaign. As lieutenant governor, Dalrymple said, he has been allowed to concentrate on issues that interest him most, including agriculture, trade and school finance.

Dalrymple first became Hoeven's running mate in 2000 after deciding to end a 16-year career in the North Dakota House. Dalrymple is a former chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

"It's hard to not be just wildly optimistic about North Dakota right now," Dalrymple said Tuesday. "It's just so exciting, because I am one of the people who was around when things weren't so good."

Seeking a third term wasn't a quick decision for Hoeven.

"It was a feeling that builds," he said.

In appearances around the state with first lady Mikey Hoeven, Hoeven said feedback was "supportive and very positive, and both Mikey and I greatly appreciated that. We're committed to continue to work with the people of North Dakota."

No governor in North Dakota history has been elected to three four-year terms. Former Gov. Arthur Link, a Democrat, ran for a third term in 1980, but lost to Republican Allen Olson.

The only person to serve 12 years as North Dakota's governor is Democrat William Guy, who was governor from 1960 to 1972. The governor's term lengthened from two to four years in 1964.

Hoeven's first campaign was managed by Carol Olson, who is now director of the state Department of Human Services. His 2004 re-election bid was directed by Cory Fong, whom Hoeven later appointed as state tax commissioner.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story. Reach outdoor writer Richard Hinton at 250-8256 or richard.hinton@bismarcktribune.com.)