North Dakota's Democratic House leader is among a group of legislators considering a run for the party's endorsement for governor.

Rep. Merle Boucher, D-Rolette, sought the endorsement to run against Republican incumbent John Hoeven in 2004. State Democratic convention delegates instead picked Bismarck businessman Joseph Satrom, a former Bismarck state senator. Hoeven won his second term with 71 percent of the vote.

Boucher said some of the activists who are asking him to run for governor supported Satrom in 2004, which he called "a good sign."

Boucher hasn't decided whether to make the race, but said, "I do feel good about the fact that where these overtures are coming from are people who are solid."

Hoeven said this week he intends to run for a third term as governor. No one in North Dakota history has been elected to three four-year terms in the job, although Democrat William Guy was governor for 12 years, from 1961 to 1972. Guy's first two terms were for two years.

Democratic state Sen. Tim Mathern, of Fargo, has set up an exploratory committee to look into a possible candidacy. Another state senator, Joel Heitkamp, D-Hankinson, and state Rep. Kari Conrad, D-Minot, are considering campaigns of their own.

"I don't spend every waking moment of my day thinking about this," said Heitkamp, who hosts a talk show on Fargo's KFGO Radio. "I'm just going to tell you that all options are open. You take a look at it as the time comes."

Joel Heitkamp said he was also urging his sister, Heidi Heitkamp, to consider a run. Heidi Heitkamp, who is a former state tax commissioner and attorney general, lost to Hoeven in 2000. She could not be reached immediately for comment.

Conrad, Boucher and Mathern are in the middle of their four-year terms in the Legislature, and would not have to give up their seats to run for governor.

Joel Heitkamp, who represents a rural district in southeastern North Dakota, is up for re-election next year. He would have to give up his Senate seat if he were the Democratic candidate for governor.