CQ Risk Rating: Safe Republican 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| John Thune (R) | 231,083 | 73% |
| Curt M. Hohn (D) | 78,321 | 25% |
| Brian Lerohl (LIBERT) | 5,357 | 2% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: JUNE 6, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Curt M. Hohn | 12,827 | 56% |
| Steve Sandven | 8,333 | 36% |
| Raymond Earl Osloond Sr. | 1,715 | 8% |
| | Republican |
| John Thune | Unopposed |
Source: Congressional Quarterly. To suggest updates and corrections: politics.feedback@cq.com
Major Industry | Military | Population | Cities | People | Race | Median Household Income | Unusual Features
SOUTH DAKOTA
:
At Large
Low crop prices wounded eastern South Dakota's agriculture-based economy
in the 1990s, adding to a steady migration into cities, where finance,
computers and health care have gradually overtaken meat packing as the
primary industries. Citibank, Gateway and others moved into South Dakota
during the 1990s to take advantage of low taxes and wages. Moving west, away
from the more populated areas, the arid, hilly portion of the state relies
on ranching, mining and tourism - Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills and the
Badlands are located there.
South Dakota has the fourth-highest percentage of American Indians in
the nation. Traditionally poor, the Indian communities found a bright spot
in casinos in the 1990s; by 1997, gaming and recreation employed more than 7
percent of the state.
Divided by the Missouri River, the eastern and western parts of the
state vote opposite one another. Western, ranching Republicans outnumber
eastern urban and agricultural Democrats by about 40,000 registered voters.
American Indians, found predominantly in the west, also traditionally have
supported Democrats. With only two exceptions, Republican presidential
candidates won the state during the 20th century.
Major Industry
Agriculture, finance
Military
Ellsworth Air Force Base, 3,000 military, 461 civilian (1997)
Population
732,405 (1998 est.)
Cities
Sioux Falls, 113,233; Rapid City, 57,642; Aberdeen, 25,088 (1996)
People
50% rural; 14% age 65+ (ranks top third nationally); 60% married couples,
29% married couples with children; 17% college educated (ranks middle third
nationally); 50% white collar (ranks bottom third nationally), 23% blue
collar (ranks bottom third nationally) (1990)
Race
91% white, 1% black, 1% Asian, 8% American Indian; 1% Hispanic origin (1996)
Median Household Income
$29,949 (ranks bottom third nationally) (1997)
Unusual Features
Wounded Knee, where more than 200 Sioux were massacred in one day in 1890
after their chief, Sitting Bull, had been killed; Calamity Jane and Wild
Bill Hickok buried at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Deadwood; NBC news anchor Tom
Brokaw born in Webster.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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