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Politics
A Day at the Races: South Dakota




Democrat Sen. Tom Daschle (top) and Republican John Thune. Photos � AP

A DAY AT THE RACES
South Dakota
Heated Senate race targets Native voters.

California
Governor makes issue of tribal gaming. Again.

Oklahoma
Cherokee tribal member eyes open Senate seat.

Alaska
Two strong candidates bank on Native vote.

Washington
Washington tribes battle gaming measure.

Nebraska
Nebraska tribes could finally get Class III gaming.

Montana
Cyanide mining initiative irks tribes.

Colorado
Retiring Ben Nighthorse Campbell prompts battle.
The biggest race by far is the matchup between Democrat Sen. Tom Daschle and Republican John Thune. Both campaigns have made an intense effort to court the votes on South Dakota's nine reservations.

Daschle is endorsed by all nine tribes while Thune counts activist Russell Means among his Indian supporters. Both candidates pledge to respect tribal sovereignty and improve Indian health care and education.

Daschle, as a senator, has gone further with proposals to reform the Indian trust, make payments for Indian beneficiaries and make significant boosts to the Indian Health Service budget. Thune counters that Daschle, and the Democrats, are keeping tribes dependent on the federal government.

Native Americans make up about 8 percent of the population and played critical roles in the 2002 Senate and the July 2004 special House elections. Reservation voters overwhelmingly vote Democratic, a move that benefits Daschle, who is virtually tied in the polls with Thune.

The Democratic votes also help Rep. Stephanie Herseth, the winner of the July election. She is again facing Republican Larry Diedrich in a close race. Reservation votes will almost certainly play a role in determining the outcome.

Relevant Links:
Sen. Tom Daschle - http://daschle.senate.gov
Tom Daschle, campaign site - http://www.tomdaschle.com
John Thune for US Senate - http://www.johnthune.com

Related Stories:
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Daschle, Thune in virtual tie in final stretch (10/27)
South Dakota tribes send backing to Tom Daschle (10/22)
Chairman: Thune 'not very productive' on Indians (10/21)
Thune's record on Indian issues called non-existent (10/19)
Pat Robertson claims Indians 'not totally literate' (10/18)
South Dakota GOP workers sent to Bush campaign (10/15)
South Dakota GOP warns of possible irregularities (10/14)
Janklow accuses GOP vote program of 'cheating' (10/13)
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Indian vote in South Dakota still a hot item (10/11)
Russell Means helps open GOP office at Pine Ridge (10/11)
Thune campaign under probe for absentee ballots (10/08)
Pollster says Indian vote is critical in South Dakota (10/01)
Herseth the choice of Indians contacted for poll (9/30)
Daschle gains narrow lead over Thune in South Dakota (09/27)
Appeal planned in South Dakota voting rights case (09/17)
Judge: South Dakota violated Indian voting rights (9/16)
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South Dakota GOP claims 2002 Senate election stolen (09/10)
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Voter ID law seen as attempt to suppress Indian vote (7/7)
Tribal college president calls for repeal of ID law (7/2)
Indian voter complaints referred to authorities (6/29)
Group files suit over problems Indian voters faced (6/28)
Editorial: Indian vote hearings won't do any good (06/17)
Daschle seeks hearings over Indian voter problems (6/15)
S.D. ID law passed to 'turn Native voters down' (6/11)
Tom Daschle: Indian Country shows its clout (6/10)
Lawsuits planned for problems Indian voters faced (6/10)
South Dakota Indian vote doubled last week (6/7)
Republican admits Indian voters decided election (6/4)
Russell Means ready to give up on Republican Party (6/3)
Voting problems reported by South Dakota Indians (6/3)
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