United States Senate election in South Dakota, 2008

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
United States Senate election in South Dakota, 2008
← 2002 November 4, 2008 2014 →
  Tim Johnson official portrait, 2009.jpg
Nominee Tim Johnson Joel Dykstra
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 237,835 142,766
Percentage 62.5% 37.5%
08SDSenateCounties.PNG
County results
U.S. senator before election

Tim Johnson
Democratic

 Elected U.S. Senator

Tim Johnson
Democratic
Elections in South Dakota
SouthDakota-StateSeal.svg
This box:

The 2008 United States Senate election in South Dakota was held on November 4, 2008. Primary elections were held on June 3, 2008.[1] Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Tim Johnson won re-election to a third term.

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joel Dykstra 34,598 65.74
Republican Sam Kephart 13,047 24.79
Republican Charles Gonyo 4,983 9.47
Total votes 52,628 100.00

General election

Candidates

Campaign

Already a well-regarded figure, following health problems, Johnson became more popular. “South Dakota is a very kind state,” Steve Jarding, a Harvard political scientist, said. “People were rooting for Tim — Democrats, Republicans, independents — they wanted him to be O.K.” He was also seen a pragmatic moderate. He received endorsements from the Republican Mayor of Sioux Falls, Dave Munson, and the NRA. Dykstra argued that Johnson voted 80% of the time with U.S. Senator Barack Obama and 90% with U.S. Senator Harry Reid. In response, Johnson pointed out his votes on the confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court justices John Roberts/Samuel Alito, against flag burning, in favor for the Iraq war, Patriot Act, a ban on partial birth abortion, etc.[3]

One of the other reasons why Johnson is popular is earmarks. Recent examples include $248,000 for the Dahl Arts Center in Rapid City, $11 million for Ellsworth Air Base, $400,000 for Rosebud Sioux Reservation, and $37 million for Mni Wiconi Rural Water System. Dykstra opposed earmarks, leading U.S. Senator Tom Coburn to campaign with him.[citation needed]

In August, Johnson visited 20 cities across the state.[4] With nine reservations in the state, American Indians account for 10% of electorate. In 2002, Johnson carried 94% of the Oglala Sioux, the state’s biggest tribe.

Predictions

CQ Politics rated the race as 'Safe Democrat'.[5] The Cook Political Report considered it 'Likely Democrat'.[6] The Rothenberg Political Report considered it a 'Safe Democrat'.[7]

Polling

Poll Source Dates administered Johnson Dykstra
Rasmussen Reports July 15, 2008 60% 38%
Rasmussen Reports March 4, 2008 63% 28%

Results

General election results[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Tim Johnson (inc.) 237,889 62.49% +12.87%
Republican Joel Dykstra 142,784 37.51% -11.96%
Majority 95,105 24.98% +24.83%
Turnout 380,673
Democratic hold Swing

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

Cite error: Invalid <references> tag; parameter "group" is allowed only.

Use <references />, or <references group="..." />

External links

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ http://www.sdsos.gov/electionsvoteregistration/pastelections_electioninfo08_primarysw.shtm
  3. ↑ Johnson campaigns on cash, Dykstra wants change
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Race Ratings Chart: Senate CQ Politics
  6. ↑ 2008 Senate Race Ratings The Cook Political Report, October 9, 2008
  7. ↑ 2008 Senate Ratings The Rothenberg Political Report, September 29, 2008
  8. ↑ http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2008/2008Stat.htm#stateSD
Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=United_States_Senate_election_in_South_Dakota,_2008&oldid=697219509"