House Race in S.D. Mirrors Larger Struggle

[Freddie Stubbs]

By DAVID ESPO
ASSOCIATED PRESS

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -

Stephanie Herseth and Larry Diedrich are local candidates in a campaign with national stakes, South Dakota rivals in a congressional race that pits the political parties in a struggle as intense as their own.

Which explains why the Republican and Democratic House campaign committees have spent about $2 million on television ads in less than three months. And the parade of prominent politicians to the state, including Vice President Dick Cheney for Diedrich and House Democrats for Herseth.

"They're spending a lot of money, we're spending a lot of money. It's a heck of a battle," said Rep. Steny Hoyer, of Maryland, the second-ranking Democrat in the House.

Herseth leads in the polls in the Republican-heavy state, although recent private surveys show her edge over Diedrich dwindling as the June 1 special election for the state's vacant House seat approaches.

more: http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/bw-elect/2004/may/26/052608183.html

[Richardo]

1. Any adverse fallout from Johnson's "Taliban" remark?

Has Stephanie had to distance herself from that comment? I know she had a pretty visible "Republicans for Herseth" group.