2008 United States Senate election in South Dakota

2008 United States Senate election in South Dakota

← 2002 November 4, 2008 2014 →

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

County results Johnson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Dykstra:      50–60%      60–70%

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

Elections in South Dakota
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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. As of 2021, this election, along with the simultaneous House race, is the last time a Democrat won a statewide election in South Dakota.

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," , 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.^{[citation needed]}

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[]

Polling[]

Results[]

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

See also[]

• 2008 United States Senate elections

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