South Dakota Sen. Johnson will run for re-election
Posted: Saturday, October 20, 2007
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson said Friday that he will run for re-election next year, confirming speculation that he wants to stay in the Senate despite his continuing recovery from a life-threatening brain hemorrhage.
Johnson's announcement is more good news for his party next year, as prominent Republicans have shied away from challenging the South Dakota Democrat after his illness and long recovery were closely watched by the state.
"After months of rehabilitation and recovery, more than a month on the job in Washington and after my recent trips back to South Dakota it is clear, to my family, my doctors, and me that I am able to do the hard work required of a United States senator," Johnson said in a campaign e-mail.
Five Republican senators have said they will retire next year, giving Democrats an opportunity to expand their narrow majority in the 2008 elections. No Democrats have announced plans to retire from the Senate.
Johnson was considered a top Republican target before he fell ill. He won re-election against Republican John Thune in 2002 by just 524 votes, and Thune defeated Democratic Sen. Tom Daschle in another close race two years later.
Despite a nine-month absence from the Senate after his Dec. 13 brain hemorrhage, Johnson has more than $2 million in the bank for his campaign. Several of his colleagues held fundraisers for him while he was recovering.
Johnson, 60, was rushed to the hospital from his Senate office in December after becoming disoriented on a conference call with reporters. He underwent emergency surgery for arteriovenous malformation, a condition that causes arteries and veins in the brain to grow abnormally large, become tangled and sometimes burst.
He is still undergoing physical speech and physical therapy to address lingering effects of his hemorrhage. His right side is weak, and he uses a motorized wheelchair to get around the Senate.
Two Republicans have said they will seek Johnson's seat: state Rep. Joel Dykstra of Canton and Sam Kephart, a self-employed businessman from Spearfish.
"I'm very pleased that Senator Johnson's recovery has progressed to the point where he's able to serve," Dykstra said in an interview.
"I'm glad to have him the race and I'm looking forward to seeing him on the campaign trail," said Dykstra, who acknowledged he first would have to win the GOP nomination.
Asked if it would be tricky campaigning against Johnson because of his medical condition, Dykstra said it's irrelevant. "He's clearly made his announcement today. He's well enough to serve. He's well enough to run. That won't influence my campaign strategy in any way."
Dykstra's campaign fundraising report shows he has raised about $82,000. "Obviously, there's a big gulf between $80,000 and $2 million. And we may or may not ever catch up. But I think we can do a credible job of presenting the issues and giving the voters a meaningful choice and I'm quite confident we will have enough money to get our message out," he said.
Asked whether he thinks there will be candidate debates with Johnson, Dykstra said debates are a part of the election process "in any campaign."
"It's in the interest of the voters for them to see their respective candidates answering questions. How that plays out, it's just too early for me to predict."
Kephart said he's grateful to Johnson "for removing the cloud of doubt that's been around this whole thing.
"It's a distinct service to the people of South Dakota and his constituents to be clear about his intentions, however they go."
Kephart said if he gets the nomination, he would want to debate Johnson. "Obviously, that may have to be modified, given what he may or may not be able to do six months hence, but certainly some format can be generated to have an exchange of ideas."
He said he has been taking his message statewide to Republican gatherings such as Lincoln Day dinners. Kephart said his core message is that people are fed up with a lack of civil discourse between the two major political parties in Washington. The business of the people needs to be the top priority, he said.
As for the 2008 campaign, Kephart said he hopes he and Johnson could elevate the conversation, show other states how campaigns can and should be done, "and not have the sniping and negativity. It should be based on ideas and future vision, not on a bunch of 'dirty dishes' kind of stuff."
Associated Press Writer Dennis Gale contributed to this story from Sioux Falls, S.D.
Johnson's announcement is more good news for his party next year, as prominent Republicans have shied away from challenging the South Dakota Democrat after his illness and long recovery were closely watched by the state.
"After months of rehabilitation and recovery, more than a month on the job in Washington and after my recent trips back to South Dakota it is clear, to my family, my doctors, and me that I am able to do the hard work required of a United States senator," Johnson said in a campaign e-mail.
Five Republican senators have said they will retire next year, giving Democrats an opportunity to expand their narrow majority in the 2008 elections. No Democrats have announced plans to retire from the Senate.
Johnson was considered a top Republican target before he fell ill. He won re-election against Republican John Thune in 2002 by just 524 votes, and Thune defeated Democratic Sen. Tom Daschle in another close race two years later.
Despite a nine-month absence from the Senate after his Dec. 13 brain hemorrhage, Johnson has more than $2 million in the bank for his campaign. Several of his colleagues held fundraisers for him while he was recovering.
Johnson, 60, was rushed to the hospital from his Senate office in December after becoming disoriented on a conference call with reporters. He underwent emergency surgery for arteriovenous malformation, a condition that causes arteries and veins in the brain to grow abnormally large, become tangled and sometimes burst.
He is still undergoing physical speech and physical therapy to address lingering effects of his hemorrhage. His right side is weak, and he uses a motorized wheelchair to get around the Senate.
Two Republicans have said they will seek Johnson's seat: state Rep. Joel Dykstra of Canton and Sam Kephart, a self-employed businessman from Spearfish.
"I'm very pleased that Senator Johnson's recovery has progressed to the point where he's able to serve," Dykstra said in an interview.
"I'm glad to have him the race and I'm looking forward to seeing him on the campaign trail," said Dykstra, who acknowledged he first would have to win the GOP nomination.
Asked if it would be tricky campaigning against Johnson because of his medical condition, Dykstra said it's irrelevant. "He's clearly made his announcement today. He's well enough to serve. He's well enough to run. That won't influence my campaign strategy in any way."
Dykstra's campaign fundraising report shows he has raised about $82,000. "Obviously, there's a big gulf between $80,000 and $2 million. And we may or may not ever catch up. But I think we can do a credible job of presenting the issues and giving the voters a meaningful choice and I'm quite confident we will have enough money to get our message out," he said.
Asked whether he thinks there will be candidate debates with Johnson, Dykstra said debates are a part of the election process "in any campaign."
"It's in the interest of the voters for them to see their respective candidates answering questions. How that plays out, it's just too early for me to predict."
Kephart said he's grateful to Johnson "for removing the cloud of doubt that's been around this whole thing.
"It's a distinct service to the people of South Dakota and his constituents to be clear about his intentions, however they go."
Kephart said if he gets the nomination, he would want to debate Johnson. "Obviously, that may have to be modified, given what he may or may not be able to do six months hence, but certainly some format can be generated to have an exchange of ideas."
He said he has been taking his message statewide to Republican gatherings such as Lincoln Day dinners. Kephart said his core message is that people are fed up with a lack of civil discourse between the two major political parties in Washington. The business of the people needs to be the top priority, he said.
As for the 2008 campaign, Kephart said he hopes he and Johnson could elevate the conversation, show other states how campaigns can and should be done, "and not have the sniping and negativity. It should be based on ideas and future vision, not on a bunch of 'dirty dishes' kind of stuff."
Associated Press Writer Dennis Gale contributed to this story from Sioux Falls, S.D.
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