Three-term incumbent Democrat Tim Johnson was re-elected with 63% of the vote in 2008. Johnson announced on March 26, 2013 that he would not run for reelection.

For Republicans, former two-term Governor Mike Rounds announced his candidacy for the GOP nomination on November 29, 2012.

 In a Republican primary between Rounds and Noem, Rounds leads by 43% to 39%

April 2, 2013

By Gordon Howie

That’s not good news for the Rounds campaign, but no surprise to conservatives in South Dakota. (click here)

Mike Rounds is not a conservative.  Period.

This rejection is not unfounded.  The conservative fund lists many deficiencies in the Rounds performance record:

• Expanded state bureaucracy by 1,500 employees

• Supported higher cigarette, alcohol, and telephone taxes

• Supported higher Internet taxes

• Supported Medicare Part D prescription drug entitlement

• Supported the TARP bailout program for Wall Street banks

• Supported Obama’s “stimulus” spending

• Supported the fiscal cliff deal, raising taxes on 80% of Americans

• Refuses to rule out raising federal taxes in the future

Republican Congresswoman Kristi Noem has also been mentioned as a possible candidate.

Mr. Noem states the USA has a spending problem and not a tax problem. Good ole right wing rhetoric. Ignores the results of current Republican cuts to the federal budget while plowing right ahead to do more. 

...As a mother, rancher, (click here) and small business owner who has proven to be a prominent advocate for economic development in Indian country, Congresswoman Noem is the most viable substitute for Rounds on the right. A champion of House Resolution 2355, which reaffirms the self-autonomy of businesses on tribal territories outside the jurisdictional scope of the National Labor Relations Board, she has also suggested the establishment of a permanent Office of Tribal Relations in the Department of Agriculture. Earlier this month, she offered an amendment to the SKILLS Act guaranteeing funding for Native American workforce grants that won passage. In the 2012 iteration of VAWA, she introduced language to ensure that vulnerable indigenous women could petition a federal court either individually or through their respective nations for restraining orders.

Because the victor of the Republican primary next summer will likely stand auspicious odds at flipping the seat, South Dakotans and constituencies across the country need Noem—a demonstrated pragmatist—in the hunt. No one can afford the alternative.

Possible Democratic candidates include U.S. Attorney Brendan Johnson 

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
March 17, 2013 - 5:17 am EDT
SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota — U.S. Attorney Brendan Johnson (click here) is being honored for his work in combatting violence against women.

The South Dakota Domestic Violence Coordinating Committee selected Johnson as its Prosecutor of the Year.

The SDDVCC is an organization led by the South Dakota Coalition Ending Domestic & Sexual Violence and the South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault.

Brenda Hill is the Native co-director of the South Dakota Coalition Ending Domestic & Sexual Violence. She says Johnson has demonstrated a commitment to protecting women and holding defendants accountable.

Johnson started his career prosecuting violence against women cases as a state prosecutor. He has been the U.S. Attorney in South Dakota since 2009. As U.S. Attorney, Johnson has forced on ending human trafficking, domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth

HOUGHTON, SD - 

Former colleagues (click here) of Senator Tim Johnson say they have fond memories of working alongside him.

Lars Herseth served with Johnson in the state legislature. His history with Johnson goes back further than politics and into college.

Herseth says the state will be losing a good senator when Johnson steps down.

"I have many fond memories of Tim, Barb and the whole Johnson family. They've had a very good run and South Dakota has been the better for it," Herseth said.

In 1986, Herseth made an unsuccessful bid for the Governor's office as Johnson earned a seat in the U.S. House.

"He's always had that ability to gain crossovers. In a state like South Dakota certainly as a democrat you need them," Herseth said.

Herseth says Johnson is leaving office with a good legacy, putting South Dakota issues on the forefront while not being overly controversial.

Herseth understands why Johnson would want to focus on different things in life and is waiting to see who all steps forward to try and take the senator's place.

"We have a number of individuals out there that I think will make very fine candidates for that office," Herseth said.

Herseth's daughter, former congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, is one potential Democratic candidate people are talking about along with Johnson's son Brendan. Herseth says he doesn't know whether either will run.

What is so special about Rounds? I think he is a horrible candidate. Half baked and without real financial backing. Rounds is a Bush Republican. I can't imagine he would be difficult to defeat.

A March 21 poll conducted by Public Policy Polling shows 

Rounds leading Herseth Sandlin by a by a 49% to 44% margin and 

Brenden Johnson by a 53% to 32% margin 

while Herseth Sandlin would edge Noem by a 48% to 47% margin, 

Noem leading Johnson by a 49% to 37% margin