SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The South Dakota Democratic Party was licking it's wounds the day after the election but congratulated candidates up and down the ballot for running smart, energetic campaigns and raising important issues.
Congratulations for hard-fought campaigns were extended to statewide candidates Jay Williams, Paula Hawks and Henry Red Cloud.
Democrats, in a news release, said running against well-funded political insiders like John Thune, Kristi Noem and Chris Nelson is a tall challenge. The Party went on to say that all Democrats can be proud of the races the challengers ran.
They touted an impressive slate of legislative candidates including a Grammy nominated artist, an escaped hostage of Saddam Hussein, a former gubernatorial cabinet member, along with teachers, health care providers, firefighters, farmers, lawyers and business leaders.
Party leaders pointed to the defeat of Referred Law 19, "the incumbent protection plan," and Referred Law 20, which would have lowered the minimum wage for youthful workers, as victories. "Once again, Democrats showed that when our ideas are on the ballot, people of South Dakota agree."
The Party went on to say that Democrats elected to legislature are "ready to work across the aisle for the betterment of all South Dakotans.