Sen. John Thune (R-SD) said Wednesday that he won’t attempt to talk anyone out of running, but he expressed concern at the prospect of an intense Republican primary in South Dakota’s open U.S. Senate race next year.
Thune told the Argus Leader that he’s had conversations “about the 2014 political landscape” with both former South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds (R) and Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD), the two considered to be the favorites in the Senate race. Rounds declared his candidacy last year, while Noem has said that she’s still considering whether to launch a bid.
The junior South Dakota senator said he would never discourage Rounds or Noem, who Thune called “very accomplished in their own rights,” but he still warned about the implications of a competitive primary fight.
“When Republicans end up going to war with Republicans, it often leads to Democrats getting elected,” Thune said.
Rick Weiland, a former aide to Tom Daschle, remains the only Democrat who’s entered the race for the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD).
