December 9, 2003

A CROWDED FIELD:

GOP divided over nominee to replace Rep. Janklow (Peter Savodnik, 12/09/03, The Hill)

Republicans who have voiced interest in the House race include state Sen. Larry Diedrich, former state Sen. Barb Everist, former Sioux Falls Mayor Gary Hanson, former Thune aide Larry Russell, and Bob Sahr, chairman of the state Public Utilities Commission.

While some GOP officials called Diedrich a strong candidate, others said Russell is the best positioned to win the endorsement given that he has possibly the most extensive network of supporters inside the party.

Unlike a traditional primary, the special House election primary in South Dakota will be decided by the central committee, meaning that the best on-the-stump candidate may not be the candidate who snags the party endorsement.

Attorney Mark Mickelson and state House Majority Leader Bill Peterson, both of whom had been mentioned as possible congressional candidates, have ruled out candidacies. Former Sen. Larry Pressler’s (R-S.D.) name also has been bandied about.

All the possible Republican candidates have said they will not run if Thune runs.


Hopefully John Thune won't take this as an easy out, instead of running against Daschle.

Posted by Orrin Judd at December 9, 2003 9:02 PM
Comments

Agree that hopefully Thune will challenge Daschle instead of going for the House seat. I don't think any of the others could challenge Daschle while they should be able to hold the House seat for the GOP.
The fact that Thune still hasn't announced that he is running for the Senate seat makes me fear that he was waiting for the Janklow verdict to decide what to do.

Posted by: AWW at December 9, 2003 10:39 PM

On a related note, any word/inclination on whether Breaux is going to run again in Louisiana?

Posted by: AWW at December 10, 2003 10:46 AM

You heard it here first: Look for Bob Sahr to emerge from the crowded field. He can match Stephanie Herseth's youth and appeal. He became one of the natin's youngest public utility chairs and is very ambitious. For instance, last year, as the sole Republican on the SD PUC he took on long-time Democratic warhorse Jim Burg and bested him in the PR department.

His father, Bill Sahr, was a well known lobbyist and has many connections.

Here's his bio: http://www.state.sd.us/puc/bob_sahr.htm

Posted by: Colorado Conservative at December 18, 2003 12:37 PM


The GOP has many qualified candidates capable of holding South Dakota's House Seat. It is my opinion that Larry Russell, a former Thune aide, is the right candidate at the right time for the GOP. He reminds me of John Thune when he first ran in 1996.

Posted by: TS at December 18, 2003 3:03 PM

Russell, is not like Thune. He does not have experience. He does not have the qualifcations. Just because someone knows the committee, doesn't mean that the general public will know them,Russell is NOT known. My support goes to another. Who is qualified and knows the people.

Posted by: GOP supporter at January 1, 2004 9:35 PM

No candidate is like another candidate as it should be. Russell is his own man, the right man for this job. He has worked for the South Dakota Republican party since he was in College as BHSU, giving him much more qualification & political exposure. No other candidate has the network of support state-wide as Russell for good reason. If anyone IS known, look around, it IS Russell. He has my vote!

Posted by: LRR at January 6, 2004 10:59 PM

Who the hell is Larry Russell? He has to be the least known of all the GOP no names running. For that matter I hope the GOP central committee appoints him. Herseth will eat him for breakfast.

Posted by: nick at January 7, 2004 4:55 PM

Who is this Herseth guy? Please explain how a liberal stands a chance in an election in the current state of the Democratic party. Not sure if you understand what you are a part of! For your own good switch off NPR and MTV; listen to talk radio a few minutes a day. It just may help make the world a better place.

Posted by: NPR at January 9, 2004 11:52 PM

Larry Russell WILL win in June and send Stephanie packing back to her "hometown" of DC. She is no more South Dakotan than Hillary Clinton.

Posted by: JJS at January 18, 2004 10:09 AM

We know what Stephanie's family has done but what exactly has she accomplished worthy of US Congress. Other than run and lose vs Janklow I've yet to see her prove her worth. So far other than her name she has not the experience or views needed to be a Politician for South Dakota!

Posted by: HRC at January 21, 2004 8:00 PM
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