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 Senator Tim Johnson won re-election to a third term. As of 2024, this election alongside the simultaneous House race is the last time a Democrat won a statewide election in South Dakota. This is the last time that a Senate candidate and a presidential candidate of different political parties simultaneously won South Dakota.
Background
In 2002, Tim Johnson was re-elected by a narrow margin of 527 votes, the closest senate contest in the country that cycle.[2] Two years later, Republicans flipped the state's other senate seat, ousting then Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle.[3] Heading into 2008, the seat was poised to be a heavily contested one, and Republicans saw as a strong potential flip.[4]
But the race would be upended on December 13, 2006, when Senator Johnson was hospitalized with what was later revealed to be a brain hemorrhage.[5][6] This immediately shook up the state of the race, and dashed much of the discourse surrounding it for a time.[7] On the Democratic side, there was uncertainty if Johnson would be able to return to the Senate, and speculation surrounded whether Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin, the state's at-large Congresswoman, would run in his place.[8][9]
However, by all accounts, Johnson still intended to run for re-election as long as his health kept improving, and prominent Democrats such as Harry Reid and Ted Kennedy held fundraisers for Johnson.[9] After a 9-month absence, Johnson returned to the Senate in August 2007, and was back to his duties as Senator in September 2007.[10] One month later, Johnson ended all speculation, by announcing his bid for re-election.[11]
Republican efforts for recruitment were frustrated by Johnson's situation and the sympathy boost that came with it.[15] Significant hope was given to the possibility of recruiting second term governor Mike Rounds to run against Johnson, but Rounds showed little interest.[12] Lt. Governor Dennis Daugaard, who was wealthy and could self fund, was also sought, but he was planning a gubernatorial bid for 2010.[12] On July 5, 2007, Joel Dykstra, a state representative, entered but he was seen as having long odds and as not a top-tier candidate.[16][17]
Already a well-regarded figure, following health problems, Johnson became more popular. "South Dakota is a very kind state," Steve Jarding, a Harvardpolitical scientist who ran Johnson's campaign, said. "People were rooting for Tim—Democrats, Republicans, independents—they wanted him to be O.K.[4]" He was also seen a pragmatic moderate. He received endorsements from the Republican Mayor of Sioux Falls, Dave Munson, and the NRA Political Victory Fund.[19] Johnson also received the endorsement of former Senator Larry Pressler, who Johnson beat in 1996.[20][21]
Dykstra tried to turn the race around by comparing Johnson to Larry Pressler in 1996, and that Dykstra would work better with the state's other senator.[23] Dykstra also focused on high gas prices, highlighting his experience in the energy industry, and a focus on alternate energy sources.[24] But Johnson's popularity and sympathy proved to be the main factor, giving him a large amount of sympathy vote.[25]
