Bismarck Tribune - Basketball and swimming are two of the main reasons state Rep. RaeAnn Kelsch, R-Mandan, won't be running against Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., this year.

Kelsch isn't trying out for the WNBA or the Olympic swimming team, it's her daughter's participation in those sports she doesn't want to miss.

Her daughter, Cassandra, a junior at Mandan High School, was part of the the Mandan High basketball team that won its fourth state championship in a row this year.

Kelsh said she considered running, but she decided not to because she wants to have the time next year to attend her daughter's sporting events.

This from Kelsh ties in with rumors I've heard before about possible ND candidates for Senate not wanting to run because, frankly, they're happy living in North Dakota with their families and don't really want to disrupt that.

Anyway, only Mike Liffrig (who I am convinced is running) has come out as a challenger to Kent Conrad, and he (I have heard through the grapevine) isn't exactly running with the state GOP's blessing.