NOVEMBER 13,2002
Republican Rep. John Thune will not challenge his narrow defeat by Democratic incumbent Tim Johnson in last week’s U.S. Senate election.
Thune told reporters Wednesday morning that although there were irregularities in the Nov. 5 election, they were not enough to make up for Johnson’s 524-vote margin.
“Therefore, I see no reason to subject the people of South Dakota to a long, drawn-out, painful and protracted struggle over 524 votes,” Thune said.
The totals after the official canvass this week showed Johnson finishing with 167,481 votes (49.62 percent), Thune with 166,957 (49.47 percent) and Libertarian Kurt Evans with 3,070 (0.91 percent).
“The totals after the official canvass this week showed Johnson finishing with 167,481 votes (49.62 percent), Thune with 166,957 (49.47 percent) and LIBERTARIAN Kurt Evans with 3,070 (0.91 percent).”
I vote Libertarian because it makes me feel good.
I’m not sure I see your point...Congressman Thune chose not to dispute a close election in 2002, then went on to win a statewide contest for US Senate.
One might argue losing gracefully in 2002 propelled him into higher office.