GOP Sen. Thune, Rep. Noem Report Strong Fundraising Quarters
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Republican Sen. John Thune and Rep. Kristi Noem reported successful fundraising hauls over the last three months, but South Dakota’s Democratic leader said Thursday that she hopes neither will get a “free pass” next year in their bids for another term in Washington.
Noem brought in roughly $367,000 from January through March, pushing her campaign bank account above $1 million. But even that pales in comparison to Thune, whose first quarter haul was roughly $793,000, and his war chest is now roughly $10.4 million.
Still, state Democratic Chairwoman Ann Tornberg said the party wants to field viable candidates for as many races as possible.
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Thune last appeared on the ballot in 2010, when he won a second term without a challenger, and Noem beat Democrat Corinna Robinson by roughly 33 points in winning a third two-year term last year.
“Those war chests are formidable for anyone approaching a race, but that’s no reason to give them a free pass,” Tornberg said. “It’s important for voters to have an election.”
Democrats are rebuilding from the bleak 2014 elections. Republicans in South Dakota now hold every statewide office and supermajorities in the state Legislature.
Noem campaign consultant Justin Brasell said he’s pleased with the fundraising pace for the quarter and that the congresswoman’s cash on hand total “puts her far and away in the best position she’s ever been in to start a new election cycle.” Brasell said Noem has done a solid job of increasing her fundraising abilities and margin of victory each election since she defeated incumbent Democrat Stephanie Herseth Sandlin in 2010.
Kyle Kondik, managing editor at Sabato’s Crystal Ball, said Noem had a solid haul and noted South Dakota is relatively inexpensive for media buys.
“Hypothetically, Noem would be the easier one to challenge, but I think they’re both in pretty good shape,” Kondik said. “They’re not slacking off in the fundraising department.”
Minnehaha County Commissioner Jeff Barth, a Democrat and veteran South Dakota political observer, said Noem is “absolutely” an easier target for Democrats than Thune. He said the party should announce its candidates for both races at Saturday’s McGovern Day 2015, which is the largest annual gathering for South Dakota Democrats and this year features an appearance from Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
