Clinton: Heitkamp will ‘fight’ for oil and coal

Former President Clinton is touting Democrat Heidi Heitkamp’s pro-drilling and pro-coal bona fides in the closing days of her Senate race in conservative North Dakota.

“She’ll fight for energy jobs in North Dakota, and oil and natural gas and coal,” Clinton said in a new radio spot for Heitkamp.

On Monday evening Clinton is holding a rally in Fargo, N.D., with Heitkamp, the state’s former attorney general who is a board member of a company that converts coal into synthetic natural gas.

Heitkamp has emphasized her support for fossil fuels in a state where oil production is booming.

She strongly backs the proposed Alberta-to-Texas Keystone XL pipeline, which would provide an outlet for surging oil production in the state’s Bakken formation.

“As Senator, I will fight alongside anyone who agrees that it’s time to move the Keystone pipeline forward – even if it means upsetting members of my own party,” her website states.

The Keystone project has split Democrats and President Obama has punted a decision on providing a cross-border permit into 2013.

A majority of polls compiled by RealClearPolitics show Rep. Rick Berg (R) ahead of Heitkamp, although a recent survey showed a dead heat.

The Hill’s race ratings list the contest for the open seat as a “toss-up.” Current Sen. Kent Conrad (D) is retiring.

The Hill's Ballot Box blog has more on Clinton stumping for Heitkamp here.