South Dakota’s term-limited secretary of state might run for Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin’s (D-S.D.) seat in 2010, according to the Associated Press.
AP reports that Secretary of State Chris Nelson said at a local Lincoln Day Dinner recently that he was eyeing the congressional seat.
It’s not clear whether Herseth Sandlin will seek reelection or seek statewide office–a move that would open up her seat and give the GOP a prime pickup opportunity in a very conservative statewide district.
Nelson said the congresswoman’s decision would play a role in his, but that it wouldn’t be the determining factor.
Nelson won his seat with 56 percent of the vote in 2002 and was unopposed in 2006. Prior to that, he served as state election supervisor for more than a decade.
If Herseth Sandlin does go statewide, it seems likely that she would pursue the open governor’s mansion than challenge Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.). After all, it’s in her blood; her grandfather was governor 50 years ago and her father ran for governor in 1986.
–Aaron Blake