Democrat - Incumbent
Endorsed for U.S. Senate by
Council for a Livable World

Tim Johnson, one of the most gentle, soft-spoken and respected Senators has recovered from a serious health crisis. After suffering a life-threatening brain hemorrhage, he underwent emergency surgery and has recently returned to the Senate after a nine-month convalescence. Although his speech remains slow and he uses a motorized wheel chair, his mind is sharp and his opinions are as progressive as ever. He is anticipating his re-election campaign with eagerness and courage.

For a Democrat running in South Dakota, any re-election contest is sure to be close. Johnson first ran for the Senate in 1996, defeating incumbent Senator Larry Pressler by fewer than 9,000 votes out of 325,000. Johnson's re-election campaign was successful against John Thune, but only by only 524 votes. Two years after Johnson's second narrow victory, Thune defeated Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle in another close contest.

South Dakota is overwhelmingly Republican; the GOP controls the State House and Senate by considerable margins. The Governor has been a Republican since 1979 and President Bush carried the state with 60% of the vote in both 2000 and 2004. Thus Tim Johnson has a tough fight on his hands but he is a tenacious and effective campaigner who has overcome the odds time and again.

Since Johnson's return to the Senate, he has called for bringing American troops home from Iraq. He voted for the Levin-Reed amendment that would have mandated the beginning of withdrawal of American forces from Iraq within 90 days and the completion of withdrawal of most troops within nine months. He also supported the Webb-Hagel amendment requiring more rest and training at home for U.S. troops before they are sent back to Iraq or Afghanistan. However, Johnson declined to vote to cut off funds while the troops are in the field: his son has served several tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan

In the Iraq debates, Johnson said: "I believe we need to implement the Levin-Reed approach in Iraq which would begin to reduce the number of U.S. combat troops in Iraq with a goal of withdrawing most troops by next spring and transitioning our mission there. Unfortunately, this much-needed change in mission is opposed by the Bush Administration and is being filibustered by Senate Republicans."

Over the past six years, Johnson has averaged an 83% rating on Council for a Livable World's annual voting record. He voted against the nuclear bunker buster and new low yield nuclear weapons. He has supported efforts to trim spending on missile defense while increasing funding for nuclear non-proliferation programs. He co-sponsored with Sen. Barack Obama an amendment to restore funding to the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program. He opposed John Bolton's nomination to be U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and was one of only 12 Senators to oppose the U.S.-India nuclear agreement that has severely undermined global non-proliferation efforts.

A fourth-generation South Dakotan, Tim Johnson was born in 1946. He received a B.A. from the University of South Dakota and obtained a business degree from Michigan State University before returning to USD to get his law degree. After practicing law in Vermillion, South Dakota, Johnson was elected to the state House of Representatives in 1978, then to the State Senate in 1982. When Tom Daschle was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986, Johnson won Daschle's House seat, overcoming a very competitive primary challenge.

Johnson's heath problems have had an impact on South Dakota Republicans. The GOP has been reluctant to launch the usual barrage of criticisms against a person struggling to recover from a serious medical problem. The top potential challenger would be the popular Republican Governor, Mike Rounds, who won overwhelming re-election last year. To date, Rounds has not indicated an interest in running. Former Lieutenant Governor Steve Kirby has the personal wealth to finance a campaign should he choose to run, but has thus far deferred. There are two little known candidates: state representative Joel Dykstra and businessman Sam Kephart, whose fundraising totals of $82,000 and $9,000 respectively hardly put them in contention. However, the state's filing deadline for the Senate is not until April, so the race is still not settled.

Nevertheless, Johnson's campaign has been full-speed ahead. At the end of September, his fundraising totals reached $2.8 million with $2 million in the bank. However, he feels he will need to raise a total of $10 million to turn back a serious Republican challenge.

Tim Johnson has been the model of a reserved, but courageous Senator. While others have rushed before the television cameras, Johnson has been content to work behind the scenes for his state and for an effective national security policy. In this very conservative, Republican-dominated state, he has won hardfought elections. His re-election campaign is likely to be difficult because Republicans will not pass up a challenge in a state they dominate so thoroughly. As South Dakota is an inexpensive media state, independent spending by outside groups has had a major impact in previous South Dakota elections. Right wing organizations are drawn to invest in this uniquely cost effective state when compared to expensive television states such as California, Florida or New York.

Senator Tim Johnson has overcome many challenges in his life, both physically and politically. With your help he will continue to fight for his state and for effective national security policies. If you wish to help this Senator continue his critical work, please make your check out to: