BYRON L. DORGAN

Byron Dorgan was born and raised in North Dakota. He entered politics at the age of 26 as a Tax Commissioner but soon moved to Washington as the representative for his state. After 12 years (6 terms), he ran for and got elected as one of his state's two Senators and served as such for 18 years (3 terms) before retiring. According to his website: "During his time in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Dorgan served in the Senate Leadership for sixteen years, first as Assistant Democratic Floor Leader and then as Chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee. He was Chairman of Senate Committees and Subcommittees on the issues of Energy, Aviation, Appropriations, Water Policy and Indian Affairs."