South Dakota Dems field pro-choice candidate to challenge Rounds

[Rose Siding]

Billion is in-

SD Dems have finally found someone to challenge Gov. Mike Rounds (R).

Minnehaha Co. Dem Chair/ex-state Rep. Jack Billion (D) will seek his party's nod, according to the SD Dem Party. Billion will formally announce his candidacy after he files his petitions.
...
Rounds, who recently signed a law banning virtually all abortions, has not announced re-election yet, but he's expected to do so after the legislative session ends 3/20. Billion is pro-chioce.

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/

[agates]

1. Glad Billion is running

He has good name recognition (retired orthopedic surgeon from Sioux Falls) and is a strong candidate. Rounds has enjoyed good poll numbers but Jack will give him a run for the money.

[rwheeler31]

2. What is going on in South Dakota?

Have all the young left, looking for jobs? This is a very poor state, why are they killing themselves?

[agates]

3. Religion, mostly

Besides that, the state is stuck in the '50s.

Yes, a lot of the young people leave. Sioux Falls is growing but nearly every other community is shrinking.

The population of the entire state is only 700,000.

[nickshepDEM]

4. Rounds has a 70% + approval rating, he's safe.

[Rose Siding]

5. How recent is that poll? Do you have a link?

I'd be interested in the particulars. Thanks

[nickshepDEM]

7. Here ya' go.

Survey USA does approval ratings for all 50 governors every other month.

Rounds has consistantly been at 70%+

http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=a72131c5-4005-4eb6-b19c-d4477d43a5c7

[Rose Siding]

8. That's wacky- 63% of pro-choice voters approve?

[agates]

6. That 70% number was pre-1215 signing

It is no doubt down some but he still has a comfortable margin, no doubt.