Six years ago, John Thune ran without a Democratic candidate to oppose him in the general election. The 2016 election campaign will be different this time.

Thune has held his seat since narrowly beating sitting Majority Leader Tom Daschle in 2004. However Michael Ewald of the South Dakota Democratic Party says their option will be someone to contrast what is coming out of Washington.

“It’s not a career politician. I don’t think that’s what the people of South Dakota are hungry for. The sentiment I’m getting is that Senator Thune is part of the establishment. He might resist that label, but it’s certainly one that fits.”

Ewald describes the Democratic hopeful as one that has a pretty good resume’.

“He’s got a record of public service, experience in small business and entrepreneurship. I think he provides a viewpoint that relates more to people and the issues that affect them here in South Dakota such as Native American health and environmental control. It’s really all about focusing on the issues in South Dakota that matter and not necessarily the special interests in Washington that Senator Thune is a little bit beholden to.”

Money will be of concern to any challenger to the incumbent. As of the end of 2015 Senator Thune had over 11 million in his campaign fund. The candidate will be announced at 12:00 PM on Friday at the Sioux Falls V.F.W. on South Minnesota Avenue.

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