United States Senate election in South Dakota, 2008
Encyclopedia
The 2008 United States Senate election in South Dakota was held on November 4, 2008. Primary elections were held on June 3, 2008. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Tim Johnson won re-election to a third term.
, a Harvard political scientist, said. “People were rooting for Tim — Democrats, Republicans, independents — they wanted him to be O.K.” He also seen a pragmatic moderate. He got endorsements from the Republican Sioux Falls mayor 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.
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. 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.
The Rothenberg Political Report considered it a 'Safe Democrat'.
Candidates
- Joel DykstraJoel DykstraJoel D. Dykstra is a Republican member of the South Dakota House of Representatives, representing the 16th District since 2003. His district includes Lincoln and Union counties....
, South Dakota State RepresentativeSouth Dakota House of RepresentativesThe South Dakota House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Dakota State Legislature. It is made up of 70 members, two from each legislative district... - Charles Gonyo
- Sam Kephart
Results
Candidates
- Tim Johnson (D), incumbent U.S. Senator
- Joel Dykstra (R), South Dakota State RepresentativeSouth Dakota House of RepresentativesThe South Dakota House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Dakota State Legislature. It is made up of 70 members, two from each legislative district...
Campaign
Following health problems, Johnson became more popular. “South Dakota is a very kind state,” Steve JardingSteve Jarding
Steve Jarding is an American political consultant from Rapid City, South Dakota. Jarding has managed and worked on both statewide and national campaigns for the Democratic Party, including winning Senate races and a winning gubernatorial race....
, a Harvard political scientist, said. “People were rooting for Tim — Democrats, Republicans, independents — they wanted him to be O.K.” He also seen a pragmatic moderate. He got endorsements from the Republican Sioux Falls mayor Dave Munson
Dave Munson
David R. "Dave" Munson was the mayor of the city of Sioux Falls, South Dakota from 2002 until 2010.Dave Munson was born in Sioux Falls in April 1942. He obtained his B.A. degree from Sioux Falls College and M.A. degree from Augustana College. For eight and a half years, he taught school. From...
and the NRA
National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
. Dykstra argued that Johnson voted 80% of the time with U.S. Senator Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
and 90% with U.S. Senator Harry Reid
Harry Reid
Harry Mason Reid is the senior United States Senator from Nevada, serving since 1987. A member of the Democratic Party, he has been the Senate Majority Leader since January 2007, having previously served as Minority Leader and Minority and Majority Whip.Previously, Reid was a member of the U.S...
. In response, Johnson pointed out his votes on the confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court justices John Roberts
John Roberts
John Glover Roberts, Jr. is the 17th and current Chief Justice of the United States. He has served since 2005, having been nominated by President George W. Bush after the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist...
/Samuel Alito
Samuel Alito
Samuel Anthony Alito, Jr. is an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He was nominated by President George W. Bush and has served on the court since January 31, 2006....
, against flag burning, in favor for the Iraq war, Patriot Act, a ban on partial birth abortion, etc.
One of the other reasons why Johnson is popular is earmarks
Earmark (politics)
In United States politics, an earmark is a legislative provision that directs approved funds to be spent on specific projects, or that directs specific exemptions from taxes or mandated fees...
. Recent examples include $248,000 for the Dahl Arts Center in Rapid City
Rapid City, South Dakota
Rapid City is the second-largest city in the U.S. state of South Dakota, and the county seat of Pennington County. Named after Rapid Creek on which the city is established, it is set against the eastern slope of the Black Hills mountain range. The population was 67,956 as of the 2010 Census. Rapid...
, $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
Tom Coburn
Thomas Allen "Tom" Coburn, M.D. , is an American politician, medical doctor, and Southern Baptist deacon. A member of the Republican Party, he currently serves as the junior U.S. Senator from Oklahoma. In the Senate, he is known as "Dr. No" for his tendency to place holds on and vote against bills...
to campaign with him.
In August, Johnson visited 20 cities across the state. With nine reservations in the state, American Indians
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
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'. The Cook Political Report considered it 'Likely Democrat'.The Rothenberg Political Report considered it a 'Safe Democrat'.
Polling
| Poll Source | Dates administered | Johnson | Dykstra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rasmussen Reports | July 15, 2008 | 60% | 38% |
| Rasmussen Reports | March 4, 2008 | 63% | 28% |
Results
External links
- Elections & Voter Registration from the South Dakota Secretary of State
- U.S. Congress candidates for South Dakota at Project Vote SmartProject Vote SmartProject Vote Smart is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in the United States...
- South Dakota, U.S. Senate from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- 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