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Politics
Republican admits Indian voters decided election


Rep. Tom Davis (R-California) says GOP candidate Larry Diedrich would have won the special U.S. House election in South Dakota on Tuesday were it not for Indian voters.

Although reservation turnout trailed the state, Indian voters overwhelmingly chose Democrat Stephanie Herseth. She won by a few thousand votes.

"If you take out the Indian reservation, we would have won," Davis was quoted as saying.

Ever since Sen. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) beat Republican John Thune in 2002 by a few hundred votes, conservative commentators have suggested that Indian voters "stole" the election.

Get the Story:
Republicans rue Indian influence in election (The Native American Times 6/4)
Who gets chopped from Ag.? (The Hill 6/4)

South Dakota Election Results:
Statewide | County Turnout | More Results

Relevant Links:
Stephanie Herseth - http://www.hersethforcongress.org
Larry Diedrich - http://www.diedrichforcongress.com

Related Stories:
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Voting problems reported by South Dakota Indians (6/3)
Democrat Stephanie Herseth heads to House (6/2)
Battle is on for Indian voters in South Dakota (04/26)
Lakota man pleased with Cheney visit to support Thune (03/09)
Indian Republican surprised that party accepts him (03/05)
Thune urges GOP to reach out to Indian voters (01/26)
CNN host unapologetic for Indian vote 'uproar' (1/12)
Tribal official says host hurts Republican Party (01/12)
CNN host accuses Indians of stealing Senate election (1/9)
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Indian votes helped Johnson (11/7)