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Daugaard To Sign Repeal Of State’s So-called ‘Daschle Law’

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Gov. Dennis Daugaard says he will sign a measure to change the state’s so-called “Daschle law” that bars a presidential candidate from seeking another office on the same South Dakota ballot.

Daugaard said on Friday he will approve a proposal to remove the prohibition.

The original Republican-backed measure in 2002 faced criticism from Democrats for targeting then-U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, who was considered a possible 2004 Democratic presidential candidate.

Daugaard says the state should seize the opportunity to increase its political influence for candidates from both parties.

Democrats had fought against the change this session, but Senate Democrats largely ended up supporting it to put an end to political games around the plan.

Daugaard says he voted against the 2002 bill when he was in the Legislature.