Crystal Ball Outlook: Safe R
Democratic candidates: none
Republican candidates: John Thune, incumbent senator
Recent updates from the Crystal Ball
Update: February 26, 2009
John Thune (R-SD): After ousting Sen. Tom Daschle in 2004, Thune is seeking his second term and is very likely to get it. Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin is the only top-flight opponent for Thune, but she’s much more likely to run for Governor in 2010 or wait to succeed Sen. Tim Johnson (D) when he retires. By the way, the congresswoman’s grandfather, Ralph Herseth, was the Democratic Governor of South Dakota from 1959-1961. REPUBLICAN HOLD.