THE RANT

Dear fellow

South Dakotans,

South Dakota said goodbye to one of its hardest working and well respected leaders March 26 as Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson announced he would not be seeking re-election for his Senate seat in 2014.

The announcement, which took place right here on campus, was a final farewell to one of South Dakota’s most respected politicians.

Johnson, a

Vermillion native, has served in public office for 36 years and has never failed to win a election. This accomplishment is mind-blowing considering the conservative outlook of South Dakota voters.

South Dakotans like people who represent their values in public office and Johnson represented just that. He was always viewed as hard working and someone who is willing to listen to anyone.

South Dakota has had plenty of well respected politicians in the late Sen. George McGovern, former Sen. Tom Daschle and now current Sen. John Thune. Johnson is someone who will joing this list and go down in the history books as someone who never lost touch with his connection to his home state.

Anyone who attended the press conference Tuesday can explain the warm, heart-felt feeling which overwhelmed the room.

Johnson is one of a kind, and South Dakotans will miss his service.

—Eric Mayer