2014 United States Senate election in South Dakota
2014 United States Senate election in South Dakota
County results Precinct results Rounds: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%Weiland: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%Pressler: 30–40%Tie: 30–40% 40–50%
The 2014 United States Senate election in South Dakota took place on November 4, 2014, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of South Dakota , concurrently with the election of the Governor of South Dakota , as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.
Incumbent Democratic Senator Tim Johnson decided to retire instead of running for re-election to a fourth term in office. As a result, this was the first open seat election since 1978 . With Mike Rounds' election, Republicans held both of South Dakota's Senate seats for the first time since 1987 and gave South Dakota an all-GOP congressional delegation for the first time since 1963.
Businessman Rick Weiland ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination, while the Republicans picked former Governor of South Dakota Mike Rounds . Also running were two independent candidates: former Republican U.S. Senator Larry Pressler , who served three terms in the Senate from 1979 to 1997, and former Republican state senator Gordon Howie .
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
Withdrew
Kevin Artz, businessman[ 2] [ 3] [ 4]
Henry Jo Sinkie, rancher and resort owner[ 2] [ 5]
Declined
Endorsements
Rick Weiland
Politicians
Organizations
Polling
Hypothetical polling
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Brendan Johnson
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 21]
March 18–19, 2013
390
± 5%
16%
68%
16%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Steve Jarding
Brendan Johnson
Rick Weiland
Undecided
Nielson Brothers Polling [ 22]
October 2–6, 2013
282
± 5.84%
6.6%
30.7%
10.1%
52.7%
Results
Weiland faced no opposition in the Democratic primary.
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
Declined
Endorsements
Stace Nelson
Blaine "Chip" Campbell, state representative[ 35]
Gordon Howie, radio host, former State Senator and candidate for Governor in 2010 [ 35]
Dan Kaiser, state representative[ 35]
Elizabeth May, state representative[ 35]
Lance Russell, state representative[ 35]
Polling
Hypothetical polling
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Kristi Noem
Mike Rounds
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 21]
March 18–19, 2013
501
± 4.4%
39%
43%
17%
Results
Results by county 30–40%
40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
Independents and third parties
Candidates
Declared
Disqualified
Clayton Walker (Independent ), small business consultant and Democratic candidate for state representative in 2010[ 45] [ 46]
Withdrew
General election
Campaign
Rounds was widely seen as the front runner throughout the campaign.[ 49] However, he faced ongoing criticism on the election trail for his possible involvement with the State's ongoing EB-5 visa investigation, concerning the conflict of interest that Rounds' administration had when administering the EB-5 program. State officials misused funds to pay for their salaries, did not disclose that they owned companies which they gave contracts to, directed money towards companies that went bankrupt and arranged for loans from unknown sources from shell companies located in tax havens.[ 50] [ 51] [ 52] In October 2014, Rounds admitted that he had approved a $1 million state loan to meat-packing company Northern Beef shortly after learning that Secretary of Tourism and State Development Richard Benda had agreed to join the company, with Benda then getting another $600,000 in loans that was ultimately used to pay his own salary.[ 53] [ 54] Benda committed suicide in October 2013, days before a possible indictment over embezzlement and grand theft charges.[ 55]
Columnist Jonathan Ellis of the Argus Leader called Rounds' fundraising "anemic" compared to the amount of outside money coming into the state on Weiland's side, and criticized the entire Rounds campaign as "more suited for sheriff of Mayberry County than U.S. Senate."[ 56]
Debates
Predictions
Polling
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Rick Weiland (D)
Mike Rounds (R)
Larry Pressler (I)
Gordon Howie (I)
Other
Undecided
Nielson Brothers Polling [ 61]
June 10–14, 2013
500
± 4.4%
27%
54%
—
—
—
19%
Harper Polling [ 62]
September 4–5, 2013
517
± 4.31%
38%
52%
—
—
—
10%
Nielson Brothers Polling [ 22]
October 2–6, 2013
818
± 3.43%
35%
50%
—
—
—
15%
Public Policy Polling [ 63]
October 10–13, 2013
882
± 3.3%
34%
40%
—
—
11%[ 64]
15%
Rasmussen Reports [ 65]
February 25–26, 2014
500
± 4.5%
31%
51%
—
—
6%
11%
Public Policy Polling ^[ 66]
April 30 – May 1, 2014
745
± 3.6%
28%
38%
15%
4%
—
15%
SurveyUSA [ 67]
May 6–10, 2014
504
± 4.5%
30%
44%
17%
3%
2%[ 68]
5%
Rasmussen Reports [ 65]
June 4–5, 2014
750
± 4%
29%
44%
18%
—
2%
7%
CBS News /NYT /YouGov [ 69]
July 5–24, 2014
631
± 4.5%
34%
59%
—
—
3%
5%
Clarity Campaign Labs ^[ 70]
July 16–23, 2014
3,837
± 1.44%
24%
34%
10%
3%
—
29%
Nielson Brothers Polling [ 71]
July 23–28, 2014
578
± 4.04%
30%
43%
14%
4%
—
9%
Public Opinion Strategies *[ 72]
August 11–13, 2014
500
± 4.38%
24%
49%
15%
4%
—
7%
Public Policy Polling ^[ 73]
August 12–13, 2014
726
± 3.6%
31%
39%
16%
5%
—
9%
Public Policy Polling ^[ 74]
August 27–28, 2014
709
± 3.7%
33%
39%
17%
4%
—
7%
42%
45%
—
—
—
13%
CBS News /NYT /YouGov [ 75]
August 18 – September 2, 2014
526
± 6%
29%
43%
6%
—
1%
21%
SurveyUSA [ 76]
September 3–7, 2014
510
± 4.4%
28%
39%
25%
3%
—
5%
42%
44%
—
3%
—
11%
ccAdvertising [ 77]
September 22–23, 2014
1,769
± ?
17%
39%
17%
—
—
27%
Public Opinion Strategies *[ 78]
September 22–23, 2014
500
± 4.38%
23%
41%
19%
4%
—
12%
Nielson Brothers Polling [ 79]
September 21–25, 2014
647
± 3.24%
26%
39%
24%
4%
—
7%
636
± 3.27%
37.1%
45%
—
7%
—
10%
623
± 3.3%
—
40%
39%
8%
—
13%
Public Policy Polling ^[ 80]
September 29–30, 2014
703
± 3.7%
28%
35%
24%
8%
—
5%
CBS News /NYT /YouGov [ 81]
September 20 – October 1, 2014
382
± 7%
27%
42%
12%
—
1%
17%
SurveyUSA [ 82]
October 1–5, 2014
616
± 4%
28%
35%
32%
3%
—
2%
47%
47%
—
3%
—
3%
—
39%
54%
3%
—
4%
Harper Polling [ 83]
October 9–11, 2014
630
± 3.9%
33%
37%
23%
5%
—
2%
Public Opinion Strategies *[ 84]
October 18–20, 2014
500
± 4.38%
24%
48%
16%
3%
—
9%
CBS News /NYT /YouGov [ 81]
October 16–23, 2014
527
± 8%
25%
38%
17%
—
0%
21%
NBC News /Marist [ 85]
October 19–23, 2014
730 LV
± 3.6%
29%
43%
16%
3%
<1%
7%
990 RV
± 3.1%
28%
43%
16%
4%
<1%
9%
Mason-Dixon [ 86]
October 20–23, 2014
800
± 3.5%
33%
42%
13%
2%
—
10%
SurveyUSA [ 87]
October 21–26, 2014
611
± 4%
32%
43%
19%
2%
—
4%
Rasmussen Reports [ 65]
October 22–26, 2014
908
± 3.5%
31%
45%
21%
—
—
3%
Monmouth University [ 88]
October 24–27, 2014
429
± 4.7%
31%
45%
19%
1%
—
4%
40%
48%
—
1%
—
11%
Hypothetical polling
With Herseth Sandlin
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D)
Kristi Noem (R)
Other
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 21]
March 18–19, 2013
1,069
± 3%
48%
47%
—
5%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D)
Mike Rounds (R)
Other
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 21]
March 18–19, 2013
1,069
± 3%
44%
49%
—
7%
With B. Johnson
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Brendan Johnson (D)
Kristi Noem (R)
Other
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 21]
March 18–19, 2013
1,069
± 3%
37%
49%
—
14%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Brendan Johnson (D)
Mike Rounds (R)
Other
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 21]
March 18–19, 2013
1,069
± 3%
32%
53%
—
15%
With T. Johnson
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Tim Johnson (D)
Kristi Noem (R)
Other
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 21]
March 18–19, 2013
1,069
± 3%
45%
49%
—
7%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Tim Johnson (D)
Mike Rounds (R)
Other
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 21]
March 18–19, 2013
1,069
± 3%
41%
52%
—
7%
With Weiland
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Rick Weiland (D)
Annette Bosworth (R)
Other
Undecided
Harper Polling [ 89]
September 4–5, 2013
517
± 4.31%
38%
36%
—
26%
Nielson Brothers Polling [ 22]
October 2–6, 2013
815
± 3.43%
38%
33%
—
30%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Rick Weiland (D)
Stace Nelson (R)
Other
Undecided
Harper Polling [ 90]
September 4–5, 2013
517
± 4.31%
38%
40%
—
22%
Nielson Brothers Polling [ 22]
October 2–6, 2013
815
± 3.43%
36%
35%
—
30%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Rick Weiland (D)
Larry Rhoden (R)
Other
Undecided
Harper Polling [ 91]
September 4–5, 2013
517
± 4.31%
35%
41%
—
23%
Nielson Brothers Polling [ 22]
October 2–6, 2013
815
± 3.43%
37%
32%
—
31%
* Internal polling for the Mike Rounds campaign
^ Internal polling for the Rick Weiland campaign
Results
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
Maps
Support for Howie by county:
>10%
7–8%
6–7%
5–6%
4–5%
3–4%
2–3%
1–2%
<1%
See also
References
^ "Update: Rick Weiland's Senate run draws support from Daschle, others" . Argus Leader . May 8, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2013 .[permanent dead link ]
^ a b c "Field for South Dakota US Senate seat set" . CTPost . March 26, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2014 .[permanent dead link ]
^ Wynn, Kimberly (February 14, 2014). "Resident set to run for Democratic nomination for Senate" . Aberdeen News . Retrieved March 21, 2014 .
^ "2nd Democrat Joins Senate Race" . WNAX (AM) . February 14, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2014 .
^ Heidelberger, Cory (February 3, 2014). "Democrat Henry Sinkie Seeking Democratic Nomination for U.S. Senate" . Madville Times . Retrieved March 21, 2014 .
^ "Frerichs' political future" . Political Smokeout . May 29, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2013 .
^ "Current Candidates for Primary Election" (PDF) . Archived from the original (PDF) on March 25, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2014 .
^ Trygstad, Kyle (May 13, 2013). "Stephanie Herseth Sandlin Not Running for Senate" . Roll Call . Archived from the original on June 9, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013 .
^ Stephanie Herseth Sandlin won't run in South Dakota - James Hohmann - POLITICO.com
^ Carnia, Catalina (March 25, 2013). "Report: Democratic Sen. Johnson to retire" . USA Today . Retrieved March 25, 2013 .
^ Ostermeier, Eric (May 22, 2013). "Will Pat O'Brien Enter South Dakota's US Senate Race?" . Smart Politics . Retrieved May 25, 2013 .
^ Montgomery, David (September 23, 2013). "Volesky confirms interest in Senate race" . Political Smokeout . Retrieved March 21, 2014 .
^ "Volesky decides against entering U.S. Senate race" . Plainsman . March 1, 2014. Archived from the original on November 5, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2014 .
^ a b c d Montgomery, David (August 12, 2013). "In bid for Senate seat, Rick Weiland shrugs off national doubters" . Argus Leader . Retrieved August 13, 2013 . [permanent dead link ]
^ Jaffe, Alexandra (May 14, 2013). "Tom Daschle backs Weiland for South Dakota Senate" . The Hill . Retrieved July 10, 2013 .
^ Huey-Burns, Caitlin (June 30, 2014). "Warren Stumps for Dems Where Obama Dare Not Go" . Real Clear Politics . Retrieved June 30, 2014 .
^ Montgomery, David (September 17, 2013). "Weiland endorsed by anti-nukes group" . Political Smokeout . Retrieved October 19, 2013 .
^ Jaffe, Alexandra (March 11, 2014). "Progressive group endorses in Maine, South Dakota" . The Hill . Retrieved March 21, 2014 .
^ Simmons-Ritchie, Daniel (June 12, 2013). "Tribal leaders endorse Rick Weiland's Senate bid" . Rapid City Journal . Retrieved July 10, 2013 .
^ "Steelworkers Endorse Rick Weiland for U.S. Senate" . PR Newswire . October 15, 2013. Retrieved October 19, 2013 .
^ a b c d e f g h Public Policy Polling
^ a b c d e f Nielson Brothers Polling
^ Heidelberger, Cory Allen (June 4, 2013). "Wanted: Communications Coordinator for Bosworth Senate Campaign" . Madville Times. Retrieved June 7, 2013 .
^ Montgomery, David (June 10, 2013). "Bosworth says she represents new generation for Senate" . Political Smokeout. Retrieved June 16, 2013 .
^ "Stace Nelson to announce run for U.S. Senate" . Argus Leader . August 13, 2013. Archived from the original on August 13, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2013 .
^ "Army reservist to run for U.S. Senate" . Argus Leader . December 16, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2013 .[permanent dead link ]
^ Montgomery, David (July 9, 2013). "Legislative leader Larry Rhoden to challenge Mike Rounds" . Argus Leader . Retrieved July 9, 2013 . [permanent dead link ]
^ Woster, Kevin (October 30, 2011). "WOSTER: Rounds keeps eye on 2014" . Rapid City Journal . Retrieved September 15, 2012 .
^ Brokaw, Chet (November 29, 2012). "Former SD Gov. Rounds announces run for US Senate" . The American News . Archived from the original on February 25, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2012 .
^ Jaffe, Alexandra (March 28, 2013). "Former SD lieutenant governor considering run for Senate" . The Hill . Retrieved March 30, 2013 .
^ Heidelberger, Cory (June 11, 2013). "Noem Not the Anti-Rounds Candidate; Opportunity Knocks, Rep. Nelson…" . Madville Times . Retrieved December 13, 2013 .
^ Montgomery, David (May 23, 2013). "Some conservative groups down on Noem as Rounds challenger" . Political Smokeout . Retrieved June 16, 2013 .
^ Camia, Catalina (June 11, 2013). "Rep. Kristi Noem passes on S.D. Senate race" . USA Today .
^ "Once again, Former State Rep. Mark Venner is out of the US Senate Race" . South Dakota War College . November 26, 2013. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013 .
^ a b c d e "Nelson for Senate announces campaign team" . South Dakota War College . October 8, 2013. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013 .
^ a b Powers, Pat (February 8, 2014). "Larry Rhoden Endorsed by Red State as Their Preferred Conservative in the US Senate Race" . South Dakota War College . Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2014 .
^ Jaffe, Alexandra (May 3, 2013). "Huckabee endorses Rounds for South Dakota Senate" . The Hill . Retrieved July 10, 2013 .
^ "Thune offers Rounds support in Senate bid | The Argus Leader | argusleader.com" . Archived from the original on September 10, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2013 .
^ Harper Polling Archived February 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
^ Public Opinion Strategies
^ "Primary Election - June 3, 2014" . South Dakota Secretary of State. June 4, 2014. Retrieved June 5, 2014 .
^ Gordon Howie (April 3, 2014). "Ensuring a Choice for South Dakota Conservatives" . American Clarion. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 4, 2014 .
^ Eagle, Karen (November 7, 2013). "Former SD senator explores run as Independent for US office" . Native Sun News . Native American Times . Retrieved November 9, 2013 .
^ Sullivan, Sean. "Ex-senator Pressler announces independent bid in South Dakota" . Washington Post . Retrieved December 27, 2013 .
^ "Black Hawk man seeks run for U.S. Senate" . Rapid City Journal . May 1, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2014 .
^ Uecker, Toby (May 20, 2014). "Successful Walker Challenge: Affidavit Cites Misregistered, Unregistered, Fictitious Voters" . Madville Times . Retrieved June 5, 2014 .
^ Montgomery, David (September 14, 2013). "Libertarian Evans to run for U.S. Senate in 2014" . Argus Leader . Retrieved November 9, 2013 .
^ Rookhuyzen, David (December 19, 2013). "Libertarian Kurt Evans ends Senate run" . Capital Journal . Retrieved February 11, 2014 .
^ Montgomery, David (November 30, 2013). "GOP Senate challengers want Rounds at debates" . Argus Leader . Retrieved December 19, 2013 . [permanent dead link ]
^ "What you need to know about EB-5 in South Dakota" . Argus Leader . October 8, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2014 .
^ "This immigration scandal drove a state official to suicide — and could give Dems the Senate" . Vox . Vox Media . October 10, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2014 .
^ "State EB-5 director signed deal with own company" . Argus Leader . September 23, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2014 .
^ "Rounds knew of Benda conflict in final days of term" . Argus Leader . October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014 .
^ "$550,000 from Northern Beef grant was used to pay Benda for two years" . Capital Journal . December 13, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2014 .
^ "AG: Benda Suicide Came Days Prior To Possible Indictment" . Keloland . July 29, 2014. Archived from the original on October 23, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014 .
^ "Ellis: Why it's a close race for Senate" . Argus Leader . October 13, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2014 .
^ "2014 Senate Race Ratings for November 3, 2014" . The Cook Political Report . Retrieved September 20, 2018 .
^ "The Crystal Ball's Final 2014 Picks" . Sabato's Crystal Ball . Retrieved September 20, 2018 .
^ "2014 Senate Ratings" . Senate Ratings . The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved September 20, 2018 .
^ "2014 Elections Map - Battle for the Senate 2014" . Real Clear Politics. Retrieved September 20, 2018 .
^ Nielson Brothers Polling
^ Harper Polling Archived June 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Kurt Evans (L) 11%
^ a b c Rasmussen Reports
^ Public Policy Polling^
^ SurveyUSA
^ Clayton Walker (I) 2%
^ CBS News/NYT/YouGov
^ Clarity Campaign Labs^
^ Nielson Brothers Polling [permanent dead link ]
^ Public Opinion Strategies*
^ Public Policy Polling^
^ Public Policy Polling^
^ CBS News/NYT/YouGov
^ SurveyUSA
^ ccAdvertising
^ Public Opinion Strategies*
^ Nielson Brothers Polling
^ Public Policy Polling^
^ a b CBS News/NYT/YouGov
^ SurveyUSA
^ Harper Polling
^ Public Opinion Strategies*
^ NBC News/Marist
^ Mason-Dixon
^ SurveyUSA
^ Monmouth University
^ Harper Polling Archived June 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
^ Harper Polling Archived June 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
^ Harper Polling Archived June 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
^ 2014 General State Canvass
External links
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