Rick Weiland, a former staffer for Tom Daschle, announced Wednesday that he’s launching a bid in South Dakota’s open U.S. Senate race next year, becoming the first Democrat to enter the contest.
“I’m running for things I strongly believe in,” Weiland told the Argus Leader. “I really believe there’s a hunger for political leadership in this country that is really willing to stand up, regardless of the political consequences or the big money.”
Weiland joins former Republican Gov. Mike Rounds in the race for the seat being vacated by Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD). In 1996, Weiland ran for Johnson’s U.S. House seat, ultimately falling in the general election that year to now-Sen. John Thune (R-SD).
South Dakota Democrats have been eagerly awaiting an announcement from two higher profile prospective candidates: former Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandling (D-SD) and U.S. attorney Brendan Johnson, son of the retiring senator. Weiland told the Argus Leader that he doesn’t think Brendan Johnson will run, while Herseth Sandlin is expected to finalize her future plans in the coming weeks.
“Brendan and I have had some pretty serious conversations about this,” Weiland said, as quoted by the Argus Leader. “He’s focused on his job. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t feel that Brendan (wasn’t) going to get into this race.”
In an email to the Argus Leader, Brendan Johnson said he has a commitment both to his job and to “not discuss politics while serving the people of South Dakota as U.S. Attorney.”
