Information About the Candidates*

Tim Johnson (D) Incumbent Began Service: 1997 Date of Birth: December 28, 1946 Education: South Dakota 1969 BA, 1970 MA, 1975 JD Home: Vermillion Religion: Lutheran Career: Budget Advisor, Michigan State Senate Committee on Appropriations, 1971-1972; Private Law Practice, Vermillion, SD, 1975; State Representative, South Dakota Legislature, 1978-1982; State Senator, South Dakota Legislature, 1982-1986; Deputy State’s Attorney, County of Clay, SD, 1985; Member, U.S. House of Representatives, 1987-1997 Web Site: Tim Johnson for SD

John R. Thune (R) Date of Birth: January 7, 1961 Education: Biola 1983 BS; South Dakota 1984 MBA Home: Pierre Religion: Protestant Career: Member, U.S. House of Representatives, 1997-Present; Legislative Assistant, Office of Senator James Abdnor, 1985-1987; Special Assistant, Small Business Administration, 1987-1989; Executive Director, South Dakota Republican Party, 1989-1991; State Railroad Director, State of South Dakota, 1991 Web Site: John Thune

*Candidate information from Leadership Directories.

NPR News Coverage on This Race

Tight Senate Race in S. Dakota
NPR's Mara Liasson reports on the South Dakota Senate race between incumbent Democrat Tim Johnson and the state's only member of the House, Republican John Thune. Competition is fierce as the latest polls show the two candidates in the final stretch -- battling it out for 10 thousand undecided voters with debates and an onslaught of television ads. Oct 23, 2002.