Posted on 07/06/2007 2:57:13 PM PDT by no dems
South Dakota state Rep. Joel Dykstra (R) has officially entered the race for the Republican nomination to face Sen. Tim Johnson (D) in 2008. Dykstra filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday and declared himself a “candidate for U.S. Senate.”
“I am very appreciative of the encouragement that I have received in my exploration of a run for the U.S. Senate,” Dykstra said. “My family and I are humbled by the expressions of support we have received from many people from across the state.”
Dykstra is the first major candidate to enter the race and could open the door to others who might have been hesitant to pursue bids against Johnson, who is still recovering from a brain hemorrhage suffered in December. Johnson raised about $600,000 in the second quarter with help from his Democratic colleagues, according to a fundraising e-mail. He has a solid head start despite the health problems that have kept him away from the Senate all year.
Johnson has not indicated whether he will seek a third term in the Senate.
Other possible Republican candidates include state public utilities commissioner Dusty Johnson.
Dykstra was elected to the state House in 2002 and has served as assistant majority leader. He is from Canton, S.D., and worked for nearly 20 years in the oil industry before becoming CEO of an international business consulting company — a job he currently holds.
“It’s clear that the voters of South Dakota have become increasingly interested in the race for U.S. Senate in their state, and we are happy to see that a number of South Dakota Republicans are interested in the seat,” said Rebecca Fisher, a spokeswoman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
National Democrats deemed Dykstra unfit for the Senate. “Once again, the Republican party has turned to the fringes of the far right to find a candidate for Senate,” said Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
I think the GOP has a chance of regaining control of the Senate in '08; The House, however, is doubtful; very, very, doubtful.
I think it’s really more the other way around. We’ve got a chance at getting the house back, but we’ll be lucky if we only lose a small number of senate seats. There is a LOT to defend. IMHO, to maintain the status quo would be an uphill battle.
I live in RI where the only Republicans are RINO’s like Chaffee...who we got rid of. RI is a lost cause but
SD isn’t. I started donated money to SD Republican Party when Thune was running and I continue to support their candidates If you live in a Blue state find a Red state where your contributions have a chance. Let’s take back our government!
GREAT IDEA!!!
“I hope Tim Johnson doesn’t carry the “sympathy vote” for the Dems.”
The man is too ill to be a senator, it is farce that he hasnt resigned. But we all know why - it would cost the Democrats control of the Senate.
“I live in RI where the only Republicans are RINO’s like Chaffee...who we got rid of. RI is a lost cause but
SD isn’t. I started donated money to SD Republican Party when Thune was running and I continue to support their candidates If you live in a Blue state find a Red state where your contributions have a chance. Let’s take back our government!”
This is a great idea. Clearly this is one state where with the right candidate we could gain a seat.
Tim Johnson is a vegetable. He won’t be running in 2008.
As further sign that a little brain damage is unlikely to hurt much, some years ago in Oklahoma a woman candidate for the state senate died after the ballots were printed and won the primary a month or two later in a landslide. She would have won the general election as well had not another Democrat been willing to fight for the office. Certainly, it long standing tradition and no surprise that dead Democrats continue to vote. But Democrats voting for the dead was a surprise to me. None-the-less, and as an example of what I call “Okie Think”, there is a certain wisdom to electing the dead, so long as we require they serve out their term in office and personally attend all legislative functions.
I think the GOP has a chance of regaining control of the Senate in ‘08;
I tend to think it is the other way around. In the Senate the GOP has to defend 22 seats to the Dems 11. In the House there are atleast 10 Dems in seats that have no business being in Dem hands.
Sorry, but the left cuts life support to their brain dead. Terri Shiavo taught us that. When he has to speak up and campaign and it becomes evident to the voters that he can't, then they will turn away from him.
She can be beat in 08, but the Republican candidate will need outside money to help offset her millions of outside dollars. She is already taking great comfort in the size of her war chest. HELP IF YOU CAN. WE CAN TAKE HER OUT AND GAIN A SENATE SEAT FOR OUR SIDE OF THE AISLE.
“All you blue state people please consider giving to the Republican candidate that runs against Sen. Mary Landrieu in Louisiana. She can be beat. “
I’m from Texas, but that’s a great idea.
Who’s the top candidate to run against her?
“Just curious which of the 12 Senate Democrat seats up this cycle do you think will be won by a Republican. “
Possibilities include Montana, Louisiana, Arkansas, and #1 pickup in South Dakota. OTOH, we are mostly on defense. The Dems will try to pick off NH and Oregon and Virginia may be an open seat.
The Republicans will have to recruit well in order not to lose ground.
The other vital thing is to make sure we end the careers of RINOs Graham and Hagel.
“In the House there are atleast 10 Dems in seats that have no business being in Dem hands.”
Yes, we should be able to pick up about 10 seats if we at least to a bit better than in ‘06 and run credible candidates. example #1 is Delay’s former district, a 2to1 republican district.
“I hope Tim Johnson doesn’t carry the “sympathy vote” for the Dems.”
“The man is too ill to be a senator, it is farce that he hasnt resigned. But we all know why - it would cost the Democrats control of the Senate.”
Wish the people would demand that someone be appointed to represent them in the senate since Johnson is unable to perform his job.
Will Bobby Jindal run against Landrieu?
‘Wish the people would demand that someone be appointed to represent them in the senate since Johnson is unable to perform his job.”
SOUNDS LIKE A JOB FOR SOUTH DAKOTA FREEPERS.
I think it’s hideous, the way the DemocRATS are pressuring the ailing Tim Johnson into seeking reelection, in spite of his fragile health. It could wind up killing him. So much for them being the “Party of People.”
I expect, ultimately, that Stephanie Herseth will be the DemocRAT nominee. Johnson will at some point likely drop out.
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