Bruce Whalen, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, faces a tough road ahead as he seeks to unseat Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D).

Whalen has the support of the state Republican party but he is not as well known as Herseth. He hasn't raised nearly as much money as Herseth, who has more than $1 million.

Whalen is mostly known in tribal circles. But among reservation voters, most supported Herseth in the 2004 election.

If elected, Whalen wouldn't be the first South Dakota Indian in the U.S. House. The late Ben Reifel, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, served from 1961 to 1971.

Get the Story:
Candidates face tough road (AP 5/29)

Relevant Links:
Bruce Whalen for Congress - http://www.brucewhalen.org
Stephanie Herseth for Congress - http://www.hersethforcongress.org
South Dakota Republican Party - http://www.southdakotagop.com

Related Stories:
Two tribal members seek South Dakota House seat (04/21)
Oglala Sioux man receives GOP backing for House run (03/30)
Oglala Sioux candidate for U.S. House discusses agenda (03/09)
Oglala Sioux man to challenge Herseth for House seat (02/08)
Lakota Republican questions Whiteclay campaign (06/15)
South Dakota GOP hires Lakota man for outreach (06/13)
Republican Thune to meet with tribal leaders (12/15)
GOP worker accused of vote buying at Rosebud (11/02)
Bruce Whalen: Interview with an Indian Republican (10/25)
South Dakota tribes announce support for Daschle (10/22)
Russell Means helps open GOP office at Pine Ridge (10/11)
Indian Republican says issues ignored at convention (09/07)
Indian delegates turn out for Republican convention (08/31)
Indians getting ready for Republican convention (08/27)
Bush tells journalists tribes 'given' sovereignty (08/09)
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)