Senator Tim Johnson today released a statement declaring that he would seek a third term in 2008. This comes after weeks of speculation that he would step aside after a brain hemorrhage last December that nearly killed him.
Johnson says that he needed time after getting back to work in September before officially deciding to run again. Thankfully, he feels up to the challenge of six more years serving the state of South Dakota.
Read on for Tim's statement and more.
I was looking forward to asking South Dakotans to allow me to serve them for another term prior to my illness last December. Since then, I have never once lost my desire to continue serving South Dakota, but I needed time to recover and regain my health in order to determine whether I could do the job and best serve our state. After months of rehabilitation and recovery, more than a month on the job in Washington and after my recent trips back to South Dakota it is clear, to my family, my doctors, and me that I am able to do the hard work required of a United States Senator. I have said before that I wanted to take this second chance at life and focus even harder on being the best advocate I can for the people of South Dakota. Today I am asking South Dakotans to give me the chance to give back to them by announcing that I will run for re-election in 2008.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Senator Tim Johnson
Text from KELOLAND News.
Let me say first that above all, I am glad to see Tim in good health and eager to keep working. It really is an inspiration to see him fight back from this and decide to move forward.
On the cold, political side of the equation, the news is just as good. This basically wraps the seat up next year. With Governor Rounds unlikely to jump in, the Republicans are basically looking for a sacrificial lamb to put up. State Representative Joel Dykstra, businessman Sam Kephart, and Bert Tollefson are the only announced GOP candidates thus far, and none are well known statewide.
Thanks for reading my first diary. I am just happy that it got to be about such good news.