Thune makes state history

[ccharles000]

U.S. Sen. John Thune, RS.D., made state history this week when no Democrat filed to run against him by Tuesday’s deadline.

Thune now has the distinction of being the first U.S. Senate candidate from South Dakota to run without majorparty opposition since direct election of senators began in 1913. He’ll be the first Senate candidate in state history to run without any opposition whatsoever if no independent candidates enter the race by their June 8 deadline.

Democrat Robert Preston, of Rapid City, declared a candidacy on Feb. 25 but didn’t submit the 1,213 signatures needed to get on the ballot, said Secretary of State Chris Nelson.

Preston was forced to withdraw for personal reasons, said Erin McCarrick, state Democratic Party executive director. Preston, a physician who is on the state party’s executive committee, is recov- ering from a brain bleed he suffered last year.

http://www.mitchellrepublic.com/event/article/id/42062/