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Larry Diedrich (R)

Another Option for the South Dakota Senate Race

The South Dakota US Senate race had many potential candidates besides Tom Daschle (D) and John Thune (R). These other candidates either lost in the primary or did not run. Larry Diedrich falls into the latter category. He instead chose to enter the the U.S. House race against Stephanie Herseth (D).

Qualifications

• Diedrich has spent several years holding political offices. He entered the state legislature in 1996. In office he has built connections among other politicians who will support his campaign (Diedrichforcongress.com 2004).

• He previous positions create a record, helping individuals and interest groups to understand his stance on issues. In particular he is strong in agriculture and education (Joan 2004).

• He is a good fund raiser. In his recent bid for the House seat he raised 1.56 million, much higher than typical spending for a South Dakota House race (Kafka 2004).

• He now has good name recognition across the state. Before the election he was unknown by much of the population, because of not campaigning state wide. (Ross 2004).

• His personal life is endearing to the constituents. He still farms his parents land and has raised a large family. These characteristics support the claim that he is "ideal to represent South Dakota [because of] his South Dakotaness" (Michels 2004).

Comparisons

• Diedrich’s advantage as a local is reduced by similar backgrounds of other candidates. All three attended South Dakota State University, and have spent much of their lives in South Dakota (Johnthune.com 2004, Tomdaschle.com 2004, and Diedrichforcongress.com 2004).

• Diedrich has a possible advantage because he still lives among the constituents, making him seem more knowledgeable of local issues (Joan 2004). In contrast, Thune has spent recent years in Washington D.C. and Daschle has been accused of being out of touch with the state for the number of years he has lived in D.C. (Johnthune.com 2004)

• Diedrich’s ascension along the political ladder relfects his ambition. The next rung of the ladder, transitioning from state to national office, is difficult. He has not yet attained the strategic qualities necessary.

• Thune and Daschle are established nationally. Thune was elected to the House for three sequential terms starting in 1996 (Johnthune.com 2004). Tom Daschle, the incumbent, has been has been in the US Congress since 1978 (Daschle.com 2004). Their history in politics gives them experience of a state wide campaign.

Although possessing requisite qualities Diedrich is not of the same caliber as Daschle and Thune. His bid for the House seat, while less prestigious, will pit him candidates of more equal standing. The increased chance of winning is the main reason he choose not run for the Senate.

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Please contact Anne Pearlstein at anpearlstein@davidson.edu.

Created September 16, 2004. Last updated September 21, 2004.