Unlike their cohorts in Washington, North Dakota Republicans aren't worried this year about losing control of the Legislature. Going into the November elections, the GOP holds two-thirds majorities in both the state House and Senate.

However, Democrats, buoyed by successes in fundraising and candidate recruiting, are hoping to make a sizable dent in the GOP's Capitol power, which could give them a much stronger voice in the Legislature's policy debates.

"I really feel we're in a good situation," said Rep. Merle Boucher, D-Rolette, the House Democratic leader. "The people of North Dakota, I feel, have come to the conclusion that there is a very significant imbalance in state government."

In the Senate, Republicans now hold 32 seats, compared to Democrats' 15. House Republicans have an even stronger edge, with 68 seats to 26 for the Democrats.

The GOP House tally includes Rep. Sally Sandvig, of Fargo, who served as a Democrat in the 2005 Legislature. Sandvig is running for re-election this fall as a Republican after activists in Fargo's District 21 declined to endorse her for another term.

Boucher believes House Democrats can pick up six to 10 seats, while the Democratic Senate leader, David O'Connell of Lansford, is forecasting a gain of at least five Senate seats.

"I've never seen (Democratic) candidates before so upbeat," O'Connell said. "In districts where they say the Democrat absolutely can't win, the candidates have been coming back and saying, 'Hey, we're being treated great.'"

Republicans are hoping to hold their majorities, and Sen. Bob Stenehjem, R-Bismarck, the Senate Republican leader, says the GOP may even strengthen its Senate edge.

"I think we have done a fairly good job," Stenehjem said. "It's hard to be upset with what is going on."

Rep. Rick Berg, R-Fargo, said he believed voters would look favorably on the record of the GOP-controlled Legislature and Republican Gov. John Hoeven.

"We just have a tremendous slate of people, and I think the incumbents who are running are very comfortable with the things that have been accomplished," Berg said.

The Legislature's 94 House members and 47 senators all serve four-year terms. Only about half of its members are up for re-election each year, a structure that lessens the effect a single election can have on party control of the Legislature.

Senate Republicans are already assured of having 16 seats in the 2007 Legislature, only eight short of what is needed for Senate control. House Republicans have 33 holdovers, only 15 short of a majority.

Disclosure reports show that Democratic candidates have extra money on their side to help campaign against Republican incumbents.

In their most recent disclosure filings, the state Democratic Party reported raising $888,540 this year, including $76,510 during one three-day period last week. During the same time, the Republican Party brought in $532,000.

"We're winning the finance wars, and that's a good start on winning an election," the state Democratic director, Jim Fuglie, said in a posting on a North Dakota Democratic Web site last week. "Finally, our candidates are getting enough money to at least compete."

In most legislative races, the debates are about aid to local schools, college tuition increases, property tax relief and what to do with a budget surplus that analysts say could reach $526 million when North Dakota's two-year budget cycle ends in June.

Hoeven and Cory Fong, the GOP state tax commissioner, have proposed a 10 percent annual property tax reduction for homeowners, and a 5 percent cut for owners of agricultural and commercial property.

Democrats have been critical of the $116 million proposal, saying the money would be better used to increase state aid to schools. O'Connell said.

In western North Dakota, O'Connell said, he has heard considerable opposition to the governor's proposal. People have told him they would rather the money used to improve local schools, he said.

"The first thing that comes up is, 'Don't you dare give any of that money back,'" O'Connell said. "Put it into education, and the property tax will come down."