Republicans pick Diedrich for House bid

Argus Leader ^ | 1/24/04 | David Kranz

[SoDak]

Republicans nominated state Sen. Larry Diedrich of Elkton today to run in the June 1 special election for South Dakota's seat in the House of Representatives.

Diedrich won the nomination on fourth ballot after two of the three Minnehaha County delegates pledged to him their support. That decision gave him enough votes to win and prompted the withdrawal of Larry Russell of Sioux Falls, a former aid to U.S. Rep. John Thune, who was the last of the seven challengers to step aside.

[SoDak]

Looks like we have a candidate. Larry seems like a good guy. Hopefully he can topple Princess Stephanie from the high place the SD media has put her.

[Sockdologer]

It'll be a tense race, that's for sure. If anyone wants to help out with the campaign, follow this link.

[SoDak]

Thanks for posting the link, I had intended to add it and forgot.

[afuturegovernor]

Here's to keeping our House seat! I think the GOP can we this race. It won't be easy but its winnable. Hopefully, the entire SD GOP gets behind the candidate.

[Dog Gone]

I hope Diedrich wins, but it's far more important that Daschle loses over in the Senate race.

[Sockdologer]

No problem. Keep posting. It's appreciated!

[Sockdologer]

Right you are, although it's important to to underestimate the importance of the house elections. South Dakota, despite having two Democratic senators, is considered to be a Republican state.

It's assumed that when a Republican runs for Governor, he wins. House elections are similar. If we give up any
ground, South Dakota will become a Democratic stronghold,
and the chances of us ever getting a Republican in the
senate will be even slighter than they are now.

[Kuksool]

We have our contender. The special House election could shape the outcome of the Thune vs. Daschle match.

[Dog Gone]

It would be an easy win, except for the actions of Bill Janklow. Now, we have to worry.

[Sockdologer]

True, but he was bound to leave eventually. The important thing now is to put someone fit for office in his place.

[Pubbie]

Thanks Kuksool!

I'm glad they chose Diedrich because Everist is somewhat squishy on abortion.

Apparently Diedrich will play better in rural areas than Everist would.

[JohnnyZ]

Let's get it on!

[JohnnyZ]

I don't see SD electing a feminazis.

Kansas - Sibelius.

[Clintonfatigued]

"I don't see SD electing a feminazi."

____________________________________________________________

Neither would I, but in 2002 it almost happened.

[Clintonfatigued]

Another good point. In that election, Sibelius did an excellent job of portraying herself as a pragmatic, non-ideological centerist. It helps that her father-in-law was a popular Republican Congressman during the 1970's.

[Clintonfatigued]

Larry Deidrich is a decent guy, but does he have any kind of name I.D.? Ms. Hersch has basked in the glow of favorable publicity after nearly outpolling the then-popular Janklow. I figured that if Barbara Everist got the nod, she would benefit from the publicity that would arise from a competitive race between two women.

[KQQL]

#

[Pubbie]

Diedrich doesn't have Name ID yet, but he is more Conservative than Everist, and he will appeal to the rural areas of the State because of his success at farming.

His Name ID will go up because the NRCC will go all out to keep this seat.

Also Herseth is pretty liberal, so it should be easy to attack her in this Conservative state.

[The Great RJ]

Diedrich is a nice guy and likely the best of the pack seeking the bid to challenge Herseth. However, he is not well known statewide and will have little money to take on a likely well funded Herseth. Herseth ran surprisingly well against political icon and now convicted felon Bill Janklow and has been very visible statewide as local Farmers Union Executive. I wish Diedrich luck as he will need it.