For a while, this was looking pretty bad. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) is in the midst of a serious challenge against former Rep. John Thune (R). In months of polling, the race looks like it could go either way, though polls show voters leaning towards Daschle.
Last month, however, Tim Giago, a leader with the Pine Ridge Indian reservation in South Dakota announced he would run for the Senate as an independent, a Nader-like move sure to help Thune.
Though South Dakota tends to be a Republican stronghold, the state’s Indian Country — which makes up 10% of South Dakota’s population — traditionally votes Democratic. Two years ago, for example, Sen. Tim Johnson (D) beat Thune by just over 500 votes thanks in large part to 90% support in Indian Country.
With Giago on the ballot, Daschle’s already tough task would be a far more difficult challenge.
Fortunately, however, Giago dropped his independent bid yesterday and endorsed Daschle for re-election.
Daschle, who had the most to lose from Giago’s run, now has the most to gain. After a meeting with Daschle on Saturday, Giago, a nationally syndicated columnist and advocate for Indian causes, said he is withdrawing and throwing his weight behind the Democrat.
Giago, founder of the Lakota Journal and Pueblo Journal, said in an interview Monday: “I laid out what is considered most important to the tribes of South Dakota. I went there as a sounding bell for them. And Tom listened.”
It’s a win-win situation. Daschle’s campaign path will be less treacherous, while Giago’s concerns about the return of the Black Hills will receive immediate attention. Of course, I should say it’s a win-win-lose — I’m sure John Thune is the most unhappy person in South Dakota today.