Trump carries South Dakota; Rounds, Johnson win re-election to Congress

November 4, 2020

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – President Donald Trump, U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson won their South Dakota races.

But with Republicans long dominating the state’s elections, the most interesting development was the passage of separate proposals to legalize both medical and recreational marijuana.

Locally, it was a strong day for Republicans. Senators Lee Schoenbeck of Watertown and John Wiik of Big Stone City both won their races handily. Republican Charlie Waterman won re-election to a seat on the Codington County Commission.

Democratic incumbents were knocked off in Legislative District One. Senator Susan Wismer of Britton lost by 10  points to Republican Michael Rohl, and incumbent State Representative Steven McCleerey of Sisseton finished last in a three way race behind Republican Tamara St. John and Democrat Jennifer Healy Keintz. 

Election officials received a historical number of absentee ballots, raising the possibility that tallying the results could take longer than usual.