Race of the Day- South Dakota Governor

36 Days Until Election Day

Status: Republican Incumbent
2012 Presidential Result: Red State (Midwest)

Outlook: Safe Republican

The GOP dominates both Dakotas at the state government level and South Dakota's Republican Governor is headed for an easy second term win. A Democrat was last elected to that office 40 years ago.

Seeking reelection this year is incumbent Dennis Daugaard, along with his Lt. Governor Matt Michels. I wonder how many true political junkies across the country could name the Governor of South Dakota, let alone the Lt. Governor. For better or worse, I am able to though, and that is one of the reasons I have been doing this blog for the past eight years.  I had no intention of bringing up American Idol, but I do not believe anybody from South Dakota has ever made it very far on the show.

The Governor easily defeated former State Representative Lora Hubel in his party's primary, who felt that Daugaard was not conservative enough in office. Meanwhile, the Democrats have put up State Representative Susan Wismer after she defeated Joe Lowe, former State Director of Wildland Fire Suppression, whatever that is, and someone who apparently also was once the Mayor of Mission Viejo, California. After winning the nomination, Wismer selected former State Representative Susy Blake as her running-mate. The two ladies may not be the first all female Gubernatorial ticket in American history, but they are almost certainly the first all Susan ticket.

Speaking of which, it took Susan Lucci about 40 years to finally win an Emmy, but South Dakota Democrats are in no position this year to break their 40 year losing streak of not electing Governors. The state's Senate race looks a lot more intriguing this year (at least in the battle for second place) than the formal conclusion of Daugaard's near certain reelection.

Daugaard campaign link:

http://daugaardforgov.com/

Gubernatorial races predicted thus far: 14 D (1 Safe, 5 Likely, 4 Leans, 4 Tossup) , 17 R (5 Safe, 6 Likely, 6 Leans)
Overall totals predicted thus far: 21 D, 24 R (Democrat net gain of 1)