United States Senate election in South Dakota, 2008

United States Senate election in South Dakota, 2008

November 4, 2008

Nominee Tim Johnson Joel Dykstra Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 237,835 142,766 Percentage 62.5% 37.5%

County results

U.S. Senator before election Tim Johnson Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Tim Johnson Democratic

Elections in South Dakota
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Ballot measures 2006 Amendment C

The 2008 United States Senate election in South Dakota was held on November 4, 2008. Primary elections were held on June 3, 2008.^[1] Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Tim Johnson won re-election to a third term.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Joel Dykstra, South Dakota State Representative
• Charles Gonyo
• Sam Kephart

Results

General election

Candidates

• Tim Johnson (D), incumbent U.S. Senator
• Joel Dykstra (R), South Dakota State Representative

Campaign

Already a well-regarded figure, following health problems, Johnson became more popular. “South Dakota is a very kind state,” Steve Jarding, a Harvard political scientist, said. “People were rooting for Tim — Democrats, Republicans, independents — they wanted him to be O.K.” He was also seen a pragmatic moderate. He received endorsements from the Republican Mayor of Sioux Falls, Dave Munson, and the NRA. Dykstra argued that Johnson voted 80% of the time with U.S. Senator Barack Obama and 90% with U.S. Senator Harry Reid. In response, Johnson pointed out his votes on the confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court justices John Roberts/Samuel Alito, against flag burning, in favor for the Iraq war, Patriot Act, a ban on partial birth abortion, etc.^[3]

One of the other reasons why Johnson is popular is earmarks. Recent examples include $248,000 for the Dahl Arts Center in Rapid City, $11 million for Ellsworth Air Base, $400,000 for Rosebud Sioux Reservation, and $37 million for Mni Wiconi Rural Water System. Dykstra opposed earmarks, leading U.S. Senator Tom Coburn to campaign with him.

In August, Johnson visited 20 cities across the state.^[4] With nine reservations in the state, American Indians account for 10% of electorate. In 2002, Johnson carried 94% of the Oglala Sioux, the state’s biggest tribe.

Predictions

CQ Politics rated the race as 'Safe Democrat'.^[5] The Cook Political Report considered it 'Likely Democrat'.^[6] The Rothenberg Political Report considered it a 'Safe Democrat'.^[7]

Polling

Results

Johnson easily won election to a third term only losing four counties. His friend and fellow Democrat, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin easily won re election to South Dakota's at-large congressional district,

References

External links

• Elections & Voter Registration from the South Dakota Secretary of State
• U.S. Congress candidates for South Dakota at Project Vote Smart
• South Dakota, U.S. Senate from CQ Politics
• South Dakota U.S. Senate from OurCampaigns.com
• South Dakota Senate race from 2008 Race Tracker
• Dykstra (R) vs Johnson (D-i) graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com
• Official campaign websites
  • Joel Dykstra, Republican nominee
  • Tim Johnson, Democratic incumbent nominee