From Jonathan Ellis at the Argus Leader:
John Thune would become only the second Republican in history not to face a Democratic challenger in back-to-back election cycles if Democrats fail to find a challenger in 2016, according to an analysis of Senate races by Eric Ostermeier at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
and…
So far, of 34 races next year, Democrats do not have announced candidates in 11 states; Republicans are still searching for candidates in four states, Ostermeier writes.
Thune is sitting on $10.3 million, a formidable amount of money. Still, following the debacle of 2010, it’s expected that Democrats will find somebody.
Democrats have filled 2/3 of races this cycle, and South Dakota continues to be a tough nut for them to crack.
I’m hearing through the grapevine that Democrats are at the point of having to form a “selection committee” where they are getting together to try to drive someone out of the bushes to run. More likely, it will be to talk a member of the party faithful to get out there and “take one for the team;” something more and more democrats are reluctant to do, as evidenced by their declining candidates for constitutional races.
And that’s a good point. Candidates for constitutional office contests don’t face 1/4 of the scrutiny that candidates for US Congress or US Senate face. Whoever runs can expect to have their life paraded on a statewide stage and used as fodder, including their driving record, criminal history, and any legal entangements. Any current or former employees will be spoken with for dirt to be dug up.
And it’s not a threat directed at anyone in particular. In the 24 hour news cycle, that’s just the environment candidates are going to have to be aware of and to compete in, even in ‘nice’ South Dakota.
Any candidate chose by Democrats to represent their party aren’t just going to have to contend with facing a popular opponent who has 10.3 million in the bank. They’re also going to be facing themselves, and whatever feet of clay they might have.
Will Lora Hubbel for his seat? Don’t know what party she will run under though.
Annette Bosworth or Chad Haber run for Thune’s seat? Will Annette even be able to run? Might be another good fundraising tool to milk those elderly out of state donors.
….. neap tide
What about Stace Nelson?
I hope Thune has competition. I want to know how low the yellow dog line really is in SD. This would give us a definitive number. I think it is 27%. (75% of registered Democrats). Weiland just about got there with 29.5%. My gut says it is a bit lower.
Democrats in South Dakota? Where?
Ouch. Whether you are a Democrat, Republican, independent or a whatever, this situation is not good for our South Dakota democracy. We elect candidates to office, not coronate people. It’s not John Thune’s fault he’s popular and a good fundraiser. That’s how the game is played. Contested elections with viable candidates are part of our checks and balances. Perhaps another McGovern or Wellstone will step out of the obscurity of the Dakota prairie and make a race of it. Bueller? Bueller? Anyone? Anyone? Life and elections move pretty fast, so get going! 🙂
Todd,
I agree we would all be better with two vibrant parties. The question though is what comes first candidates or an organization. I think the dearth of candidates goes to the abyss that has become the Democrat Party organizationally.
Despite a worse voter registration differential (Dem or GOP by 25% in Mass. vs. GOP over Dem by 10% in SD), Massachusetts has a viable GOP and puts up quality candidates for all offices because the Massachusetts GOP adapts to the political environment of Massachusetts. So long as the SDDP looks and feels like the East/West Coast Democrats, it will be irrelevant in SD.
The prayer ladies and I think Thune is the best representative our State has ever had in Congress. He is just so charming…and so good looking. Really, we are lucky to have him, and I say pooh to anyone who wants to challenge him.