McCain visits ND to help Senate candidate Berg, talk unmanned aircraft systems

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) travels to North Dakota on Thursday to visit University of North Dakota’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) programs and campaign for Republican Senate candidate Rep. Rick Berg.

Berg is running against former North Dakota Attorney General and Democrat Heidi Heitkamp to replace retiring Sen. Kent Conrad (D).

The Jamestown Sun reported that McCain will tour UND’s UAS Training Center with Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Berg a day after Northrop Grumman executives went to Grand Forks, N.D., to discuss the area’s potential in UAS support. McCain serves as ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

McCain, Hoeven and Berg will tour UND’s UAS Training Center, including simulator training facilities, flight and maintenance operations and unmanned vehicle displays.

Berg’s campaign said Tuesday he was working on details of a possible political event with McCain while he is in town on Thursday.

Earlier in the week, former President Bill Clinton stumped for Heitkamp in Fargo, N.D.

Republicans are trying to win control of the Senate by picking up at least four seats. The North Dakota seat is one they feel could flip from Democratic to Republican control in the Nov. 6 election.

---