South Dakota Democrats finally have a candidate for governor. The announcement that Representative Jamie Smith has joined the race comes after a monthslong search by Democrats for a candidate to mount a challenge to Republican Gov. Kristi Noem.
Smith, a Sioux Falls real estate agent who currently leads the House Democratic caucus, acknowledges that he faces an “uphill climb” against Noem but plans to make a broad appeal to “Democrats, independents and Republicans” in his campaign.
Noem also faces a Republican primary challenge from State Representative and former speaker Steve Haugaard, but has already raised $11.8 million and carved out a nationwide profile among Republicans.