Where were these “big” name candidates they were talking about ? Was it John Ensign who made the promise ?
Kirby and then-AG Mark Barnett, who were both considered the lead candidates to succeed Janklow in 2002, ended up in a brutal shooting match, and destroyed one another. Mike Rounds, who wasn’t even considered a first-tier candidate, was the beneficiary of angry primary voters who were disgusted at both men. I still have to wonder if Kirby (whom has never been elected independently) would be a very strong candidate, and the memories of that ugly primary (which saw him come in dead last) might still linger. He’s been out of office, IIRC, for nearly 14 years now.
He’s a very wealthy candidate, and that may be what Ensign was referring to when he said “big” candidate.