North Dakota’s U.S. senators see big financial gains in 2013

By Rob Port | Watchdog.org North Dakota Bureau

BISMARCK, N.D. — Judging by their personal financial disclosures filed last month, 2013 was a good year for North Dakota’s U.S. senators, with each seeing significant gains in the value of their holdings.

Members of the United States Senate are required to file annual financial reports, but the value of assets are reported in ranges of dollar figures. That allows for a minimum and maximum of assets, liabilities and transactions to be calculated but not exact dollar figures.

For calendar year 2013 U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat, reported assets totaling a minimum of more than $2.531 million and a maximum of more than $5.515 million. In 2012, Heitkamp’s disclosure report showed a minimum value of assets at $1.881 million and a maximum of $4.794 million.

The minimum value of Heitkamp’s assets grew 34 percent, while the maximum value grew 15 percent.

Heitkamp reported six asset transactions during 2013 valuing a minimum of $20,006 and a maximum of $125,000. Heitkamp reported one liability — a mortgage held by Wells Fargo — valued between $500,001 and $1 million.

In 2013, U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, a Republican, reported assets with a minimum value of $17.351 million and a maximum value of $66.365 million. Hoeven reported a minimum value of his assets at $10.209 million in 2012, and a maximum value of $64.021 million.

The minimum value of Hoeven’s assets grew nearly 70 percent, while the maximum value grew 3.65 percent.

Hoeven reported transactions during the year that totaled between a minimum of $1.849 million and $4.46 million. He also reported one liability, a loan held by State Bank & Trust of Kenamre, worth between $1 million and $5 million.

In 2012, OpenSecrets.org ranked Hoeven the seventh most wealthy member of the US Senate. Heitkamp was ranked 39th.

Contact Rob Port at rport@watchdog.org