Both Parties Seek National Momentum in South Dakota Race

[Freddie Stubbs]

By STEPHEN KINZER

Published: May 20, 2004


SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - A special election to fill South Dakota's sole seat in the House of Representatives may have national impact in more ways than one.

The June 1 election is to fill the seat vacated by Bill Janklow, a Republican who resigned after being convicted of manslaughter in a traffic accident last year in which a motorcyclist was killed.

This will almost certainly be the last Congressional election before President Bush and Senator John Kerry face off in November, so both parties are eager for the momentum or at least encouragement that a victory in South Dakota would produce. A Democrat, Ben Chandler, won another previously Republican seat in Kentucky in a special election earlier this year.

This race, however, holds extra promise for the Democrats because many people here think their candidate, Stephanie Herseth, could gain national recognition.

more: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/20/politics/campaign/20dakota.html