Two incumbents vying for South Dakota seats in Congress handily won their primary elections Tuesday night.
Both Senator Mike Rounds and Representative Dusty Johnson say they’re shifting focus on the race in November.
Both races were called by the Associated Press shortly after polls closed and precinct results started pouring in.
South Dakota’s lone US Representative, Republican Dusty Johnson, defeated former state legislator Elizabeth Marty May. He says it was one of the largest congressional primary wins in state history.
“Reality is we have COVID-19 that we have not beaten back yet,” Johnson says. “We’ve got a serious economic downturn. Above and beyond that, we have difficult times in farm and ranch country. There’s a lot to work on and that’s what I’m focused on. I’m ready to move forward to November and hopefully earn another two years to serve this great state.”
Johnson will face libertarian candidate Randy Luallin of Hot Springs in the general election.
US Senator Mike Rounds defeated Republican state representative Scyller Borglum to remain the nominee.
He says the primary election was a good night, but running a race during a pandemic is a challenge.
“We’ve had to learn different ways of campaigning,” Rounds says. “But it all comes down to getting your message out and showing the results you’ve been able to accomplish. It’s been a team effort on our part and we’ve continued to try to keep in touch with people within the state.”
Rounds will face Democrat Dan Ahlers in the general election.
On the state legislative race side, Republican House Majority Leader Lee Qualm failed to clinch the republican nomination for state senate. He lost to political newcomer and registered nurse Erin Tobin.
Some legislative races could see a possible recount. One Republican race for state senate, between incumbent Arthur Rusch and Representative Nancy Rasmussen has an eight vote difference.
