Rep. Brown? Sen. Brown? Gov. Brown?

Remember when Dale Brown got out of the running?

Dale Brown, a Minot native and former longtime Louisiana State University basketball coach, said Monday he will not run for the U.S. Senate or any other North Dakota office next year.

Brown, who has flirted with the idea of seeking the GOP endorsement to challenge Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., in 2004, said he will urge former Republican Gov. Ed Schafer to make the race instead.

"My political career has ended," Brown said.

Before getting back in?

Former LSU basketball coach Dale Brown says he is reconsidering whether to run for office in North Dakota next year.

The Minot native and former longtime LSU men's basketball coach earlier this year decided against running for Congress against Democrat Byron Dorgan in 2004. Brown said Monday that because former Republican Gov. Ed Schafer is not interested in making a U.S Senate run, Republicans from across the country are urging him to run against Dorgan. Brown said he expects to make a decision within a few weeks.

And then opting out (again)?

In what is rapidly becoming an every-two-year ritual in the North Dakota, former Louisiana State University basketball coach Dale Brown (R) ruled out a candidacy after floating his name in recent weeks. Brown cited family considerations as the primary reason for him to forgo a challenge to Sen. Byron Dorgan (D).

The former coach initially decided against a challenge to Dorgan in February but reconsidered when former Gov. Ed Schafer - Republicans' top choice - chose not to run.

Brown also mentioned himself as a potential candidate against Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D) in 2002 but eventually backed out. Brown lives in Baton Rouge, La., although he does also have a residence in the Roughrider State.

End of story? I don't think so.

Dale Brown to stump for Cramer

Former basketball coach Dale Brown will be in North Dakota this week to campaign for Republican Kevin Cramer, who's running for the Public Service Commission.