John Hoeven

John Hoeven
Born	John Henry Hoeven III 13 3, 1957
Birthplace	Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, banker
Known for	Senior U.S. Senator from North Dakota; 31st Governor of North Dakota
Education	Northwestern University (MBA)
Spouse(s)	Mikey Laird
Children	2
Website	[https://hoeven.senate.gov/ Official site]

John Henry Hoeven III (Template:IPAc-en; born March 13, 1957) is an American politician and banker who has served as the senior United States senator from North Dakota since January 2011. A member of the Republican Party, Hoeven previously served as the 31st Governor of North Dakota from 2000 to 2010, winning three consecutive gubernatorial elections by wide margins. Before entering public office, Hoeven built a career in banking, most notably serving as the president of the Bank of North Dakota — the only state-owned bank in the United States — from 1993 to 2000. Hoeven was elected to the Senate in 2010, succeeding Byron Dorgan, and became the dean of North Dakota's congressional delegation in 2013 following the retirement of Senator Kent Conrad. He also served as chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee from January 2017 to February 2021. In the Senate, Hoeven has focused on energy policy, agriculture, national defense, and infrastructure development in North Dakota and across the country. He sits on the board of directors at First Western Bank & Trust and is one of the wealthiest members of the U.S. Senate.

Early Life

John Henry Hoeven III was born on March 13, 1957, in Bismarck, the capital of North Dakota. He grew up in Bismarck, where his family had deep roots in the community. The Hoeven family was involved in business in the region, and John was raised in an environment that emphasized both enterprise and civic engagement.

Before formally affiliating with the Republican Party in 1998, Hoeven was registered as an independent and briefly registered as a Democrat from 1996 to 1998. His eventual move to the Republican Party preceded his first run for governor in 2000.

Education

Hoeven attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He later pursued graduate studies at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA). His educational background in business and finance would form the foundation of his pre-political career in the banking industry.

Career

Banking Career

Before entering politics, Hoeven spent much of his professional life in banking. He served in numerous executive roles at various financial institutions in North Dakota. His most prominent position in the banking sector was as the president of the Bank of North Dakota, a role he held from 1993 to 2000. The Bank of North Dakota, established in 1919, is the only state-owned bank in the United States. It operates as a depository for state funds and provides lending programs to support agriculture, commerce, and industry within the state. During Hoeven's tenure as president, the bank's assets and profits grew, and the institution continued its mission of supporting economic development across North Dakota.

Hoeven succeeded Joseph Lamb as president of the Bank of North Dakota and was in turn succeeded by Eric Hardmeyer when he left to become governor in 2000. His experience running the state-owned bank provided him with a detailed understanding of North Dakota's economy, particularly its agricultural and energy sectors, knowledge that would inform his subsequent political career.

Beyond the Bank of North Dakota, Hoeven has maintained connections to the private banking sector. He serves on the board of directors at First Western Bank & Trust, a community bank headquartered in North Dakota.

Governor of North Dakota (2000–2010)

Hoeven was elected as the 31st Governor of North Dakota in 2000, succeeding Ed Schafer. He took office on December 15, 2000, and served with Jack Dalrymple as his lieutenant governor. Hoeven won three consecutive gubernatorial elections, each by substantial margins, reflecting broad support among North Dakota voters.

During his ten years as governor, Hoeven presided over a period of significant economic growth in North Dakota, driven in large part by the state's energy sector. The development of the Bakken Formation oil reserves in western North Dakota brought substantial revenue and population growth to the state during his tenure. Hoeven's administration focused on leveraging this economic expansion while investing in infrastructure, education, and other state priorities.

In the 2000 gubernatorial race, one of Hoeven's opponents was Heidi Heitkamp, who later served as a U.S. senator from North Dakota from 2013 to 2019. Hoeven's tenure as governor established him as one of the most prominent political figures in the state, and his consistent electoral success set the stage for his transition to the United States Senate.

Hoeven was succeeded as governor by his lieutenant governor, Jack Dalrymple, when he departed to take his Senate seat in January 2011.

United States Senate (2011–present)

Election to the Senate

In 2010, Hoeven ran for the United States Senate seat being vacated by Byron Dorgan, a Democrat who chose not to seek reelection. Hoeven won the election decisively, capitalizing on his popularity as a three-term governor and the political dynamics of the 2010 election cycle, which favored Republican candidates nationally. He took office on January 3, 2011.

Hoeven became North Dakota's senior senator in 2013, following the retirement of Senator Kent Conrad. Conrad was succeeded by Heidi Heitkamp, making Hoeven the dean of North Dakota's congressional delegation, a position he has held since that time.

Committee Assignments and Leadership

In the Senate, Hoeven has served on several committees relevant to North Dakota's interests. He served as chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs from January 3, 2017, to February 3, 2021, succeeding John Barrasso and being succeeded by Brian Schatz. This committee has oversight of matters relating to Native American tribes, which is of particular importance in North Dakota, home to several tribal nations and reservations.

Hoeven's committee work has centered on issues critical to his state and the broader region, including agriculture, energy, defense, and appropriations.

Legislative Priorities and Policy Focus

Throughout his Senate career, Hoeven has concentrated on several key policy areas: energy development, agricultural support, national defense infrastructure, and border security. North Dakota's economy is heavily dependent on both agriculture and energy production, and Hoeven has consistently advocated for policies that support these sectors.

On agriculture, Hoeven has been an active proponent of assistance programs for North Dakota's farmers and ranchers. In February 2026, Hoeven announced $150 million in assistance from the USDA for sugar producers, working through sugar processors to distribute funds to farmer-members. Hoeven stated that while the aid was important, more support was needed to address ongoing market disruptions and production costs affecting sugar growers.

On technology and economic development, Hoeven has supported investment in unmanned aerial system (UAS) technology in North Dakota. In February 2026, he announced a $100 million UAS investment in Grand Forks, which included a $4 million partnership between the HIVE and Albuquerque-based Q Station to provide programming and advance the state's UAS industry. The Grand Forks region has become a center for unmanned aircraft research and development, and Hoeven's efforts have sought to strengthen this industry cluster.

On national defense, Hoeven has been an advocate for military installations in North Dakota, including Minot Air Force Base and Grand Forks Air Force Base. In February 2026, Hoeven addressed concerns regarding software delays for the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program, noting that such challenges were not new and that the first test launch was expected in the near future. The Sentinel program is of particular interest to North Dakota, as the state hosts missile fields that are part of the nation's nuclear deterrence infrastructure.

On border security and immigration, Hoeven has been a vocal supporter of enforcement measures. In February 2026, he commented on the conclusion of Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities area, sharing his views on the unrest that followed the operation's initiation. Also in February 2026, Hoeven welcomed home the 142nd Engineer Battalion of the North Dakota National Guard after a deployment at the southern border of the United States.

Hoeven has also weighed in on federal funding for homeland security and transportation infrastructure. In February 2026, he addressed issues related to DHS and TSA funding, reflecting his ongoing involvement in appropriations and security policy.

Immigration Reform Vote (2013)

In 2013, the U.S. Senate considered comprehensive immigration reform legislation. The Senate voted on the measure, and the roll call records from that session document the positions of individual senators on the legislation.

Electoral History

Hoeven has maintained strong electoral performance in North Dakota. After winning the 2010 Senate race to succeed Byron Dorgan, he has been reelected in subsequent cycles. Federal Election Commission records document his campaign finance filings as a candidate for the U.S. Senate from North Dakota.

Personal Life

John Hoeven is married to Mikey Laird. The couple has two children. They reside in North Dakota, where Hoeven has lived for most of his life. Hoeven's connection to his home state has been a consistent theme throughout both his banking and political careers.

Hoeven is one of the wealthiest members of the United States Senate. Investopedia has listed him among the richest U.S. senators, noting his estimated net worth of approximately $45 million, derived in part from his banking career and business interests.

He continues to serve on the board of directors at First Western Bank & Trust, maintaining his ties to the banking industry alongside his political career.

Legacy

John Hoeven's career spans more than three decades of public and private sector leadership in North Dakota. As president of the Bank of North Dakota, he oversaw the nation's only state-owned bank during a period of institutional stability and growth. As governor for ten years, he led the state through a transformative economic period marked by the expansion of oil production in the Bakken Formation, which fundamentally altered North Dakota's fiscal position and demographics.

In the U.S. Senate, Hoeven has positioned himself as an advocate for North Dakota's agricultural and energy interests. His work on the Indian Affairs Committee reflected the significant Native American population in the state, and his ongoing focus on defense installations underscores the importance of military infrastructure to North Dakota's economy.

Hoeven's political career is notable for the breadth of his electoral success in North Dakota — winning three gubernatorial elections and multiple Senate races — as well as for his transition from the banking sector to state executive leadership and then to the federal legislature. His status as dean of North Dakota's congressional delegation since 2013 reflects his longevity and seniority in the state's political landscape.

His continued involvement in issues such as UAS technology investment in Grand Forks, agricultural assistance programs, and national defense modernization indicate that Hoeven remains an active figure in shaping policy of importance to North Dakota and the northern Great Plains region.