2004 United States Senate election in South Dakota

none March 2026 September 2023 2004 United States Senate election in South Dakota South Dakota presidential no 1998 United States Senate election in South Dakota 1998 2010 United States Senate election in South Dakota 2010 November 2, 2004 150x150px John Thune official photo (cropped).jpg John Thune Republican Party (United States) 197,848 50.58% Tom Daschle, official Senate photo.jpg Tom Daschle Democratic Party (United States) 193,340 49.42% 2004 United States Senate election in South Dakota results map by county.svg 260px County resultsThune: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80%Daschle: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% #3933e5 80–90% U.S. Senator Tom Daschle Democratic Party (United States) John Thune Republican Party (United States) The 2004 United States Senate election in South Dakota was held on November 2, 2004. Incumbent Democratic U.S. senator and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle ran for re-election to a fourth term, but was defeated by Republican John Thune. Daschle was the only incumbent U.S. senator to lose re-election in the 2004 election cycle. His defeat was the first time a Democratic Senate party leader lost re-election since Ernest McFarland's defeat in 1952 by Barry Goldwater. On November 12, 2024, Thune was elected leader of the Senate Republican Conference with an incoming Senate majority, making this seat the only seat in the United States Senate held back-to-back by a Senate majority leader of two different parties. This was the second election in which the candidates both served as party leaders in the Senate at some point, after Scott Lucas of Illinois lost to Everett Dirksen in 1950. General election Candidates Tom Daschle, incumbent U.S. senator and Senate minority leader (Democratic) John Thune, former U.S. representative and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2002 (Republican) Campaign In the 2004 congressional elections, Daschle lost his seat to Republican challenger and former U.S. representative John Thune in a bitterly contested battle. Thune prevailed by a narrow margin of 4,508 votes (50.6–49.4%).https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/election-resources/election-history/2004/2004_general_election_official_returns_us_senate.aspx 2004 General Election Official Returns for U.S. Senate SDSOS.gov January 10, 2022 Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist visited South Dakota to campaign for Thune, breaking an unwritten tradition that one party's leader in the Senate would not campaign directly for the other's defeat.https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-may-21-na-decorum21-story.html Senate Leader Frist to Campaign Against Daschle Richard Simon May 21, 2004 Los Angeles Times Daschle's loss resulted in the first defeat of a Senate floor leader since 1952 when Arizona senator Ernest McFarland lost his seat to Barry Goldwater.https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/03/politics/campaign/daschle-democratic-senate-leader-is-beaten.html Daschle, Democratic Senate Leader, Is Beaten Sheryl Gay Stolberg The New York Times November 3, 20042014 Almanac of American Politics Barone Chuck McCutcheon Michael The University of Chicago Press 2013 Daschle was the only incumbent senator from either party to lose reelection in 2004.https://books.google.com/books?id=4Wh7M_vM8foC&dq=daschle+only+incumbent+defeated+2004&pg=PA109 Gender and Elections: Shaping the Future of American Politics Susan J. Carroll Richard L. Fox December 26, 2005 Cambridge University Press 9781139447898 Google Books Throughout the campaign, Thune, along with Frist, President George W. Bush, and Vice President Dick Cheney, frequently accused Daschle of being the "chief obstructionist" of Bush's agenda and charged him with using filibusters to block confirmation of several of Bush's nominees to the federal judiciary. Thune also used moral values such as issues surrounding same-sex marriage and abortion to convince South Dakota voters that Daschle's positions on such topics were out of sync with the state's residents. The Republican candidate also drove home his strong support for the president while blasting Daschle for his vehement opposition to Bush. He attempted to sway voters by remembering that Bush won South Dakota in a landslide in 2000 and had a very high job-approval rating among South Dakotans. His opponent, the Minority Leader, repeatedly argued that he was funneling money into South Dakota for vital federal highway and water pet projects. Daschle responded to Thune's claim that he was a partisan anti-Bush obstructionist by pointing to his action just nine days after the September 11 attacks when he hugged President Bush on the Senate floor following Bush's address to Congress and the nation. He also hit back by alleging that Thune wanted to "rubber stamp what the administration is doing." Daschle's use of the video of his embrace of Bush forced the Republican National Committee to demand that the ad be pulled, claiming that it suggests that Bush endorses Daschle. Shortly following the airing of the ad, in a nationally televised debate on NBC's Meet the Press, Thune accused Daschle of "emboldening the enemy" in his skepticism of the Iraq War. September 2023 Daschle also noticeably relied very heavily on the power of incumbency to win a fourth term. Some also argued that Stephanie Herseth's election to the state's only House seat hurt Daschle, as voters may not have been comfortable sending an all-Democratic delegation to Congress for the first time in many decades. Accusations that Daschle was possibly considering no longer being an official resident of South Dakota were believed to have offended voters there. Others have analyzed that Daschle's lengthy consideration and eventual rejection of a potential run for the presidency in 2004 took a toll on South Dakotans, who felt betrayed and used by Daschle as a result. When the race began in early 2004, Daschle led by seven points in January and February. By May, his lead minimized to just two points and into the summer polls showed a varying number of trends: either Daschle held a slim one to two-point lead, Thune held a slim one to two-point lead, or the race was tied. Throughout September, Daschle led Thune by margins of two to five percent. During the entire month of October into the November 2 election, most polls showed that Thune and Daschle were dead even, usually tied 49-49 among likely voters. Some polls showed either Thune or Daschle leading by extremely slim margins. Thune is a onetime aide to Senator James Abdnor,https://www.bhpioneer.com/local_news/thune-once-again-raises-idea-of-retirement/article_c475a8ea-56c5-11ec-bbd5-fbf8cf005001.html Thune once again raises idea of retirement Tom Lawrence Black Hills Pioneer December 6, 2021 the man Daschle defeated in 1986 to gain his seat in the Senate.https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/the-fives-and-mcgovern-begat-abdnor-and-abdnor-begat-daschle-and-daschle-begat/article_aeadd5ae-73bf-52e6-a45b-7e115c6042f8.html The Fives: And McGovern begat Abdnor, and Abdnor begat Daschle, and Daschle begat … Todd Williams Rapid City Journal Media Group May 18, 2008 During Daschle's farewell address on November 19, 2004, he received a standing ovation from the Senate floor.Senate Farewell Speech C-SPAN.org https://www.c-span.org/video/?184969-4/senate-farewell-speech 2020-11-13 www.c-span.org en-us His term as South Dakota's senator expired on January 3, 2005, with the commencement of the 109th Congress. Harry Reid took over as minority leader, and became majority leader in 2007. Predictions Source Ranking As of Sabato's Crystal BallThe Final Predictions https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/ljs2004110101/ Sabato's Crystal Ball May 2, 2021 Lean R Flip November 1, 2004 Polling Poll source Date(s)administered SamplesizeKey:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclear Marginof error JohnThune (R) TomDaschle (D) UndecidedZogby Internationalhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/rapid-city-journal/109266512/ Article clipped from Rapid City Journal Rapid City Journal October 28, 2004 1 newspapers.comOctober 25–26, 2004800 (LV)± 3.5%48.5%45.5%6.0%Rasmussen Reportshttp://www.rasmussenreports.com:80/SD%20Senate.htm Election 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20041101042745/http://www.rasmussenreports.com:80/SD%20Senate.htm November 1, 2004 October 25, 2004500 (LV)± 4.5%49%46%5%McLaughlin & Associates (R)https://www.realclearpolitics.com/Polls/SD-PollMemo-10.25.04.pdf McLaughlin & Associates (R) https://web.archive.org/web/20041108180726/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/Polls/SD-PollMemo-10.25.04.pdf November 8, 2004 October 21–24, 2004400 (LV)± 4.9%48.5%44.5%6.0%Mason-Dixonhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/109264672/ Article clipped from Argus-Leader Argus-Leader October 27, 2004 12 newspapers.comOctober 19–21, 2004800 (RV)± 3.5%47%49%4%Rasmussen Reportshttp://www.rasmussenreports.com:80/SD%20Senate.htm Election 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20041017051354/http://www.rasmussenreports.com:80/SD%20Senate.htm October 17, 2004 October 12, 2004500 (LV)± 4.5%49%49%2%Rasmussen Reportshttp://www.rasmussenreports.com:80/SD%20Senate.htm Election 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20041015031438/http://www.rasmussenreports.com:80/SD%20Senate.htm October 15, 2004 September 29, 2004500 (LV)± 4.5%50%46%4%Zogby Internationalhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/rapid-city-journal/109263050/ Article clipped from Rapid City Journal Rapid City Journal October 1, 2004 1 newspapers.comhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/rapid-city-journal/109263028/ Article clipped from Rapid City Journal Rapid City Journal October 1, 2004 9 newspapers.comSeptember 24–28, 2004506 (LV)± 4.5%45.5%47.8%6.7%Public Opinion Strategies (R)http://www.johnthune.com/news/Read.aspx?ID=53 John Thune for U.S. Senate :: News www.johnthune.com September 10, 2022 September 26, 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20040926081327/http://www.johnthune.com/news/Read.aspx?ID=53 deadSeptember 21–22, 2002600 (LV)± 4.0%50%47%3%Mason-Dixonhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/109262559/ Article clipped from Argus-Leader Argus-Leader September 26, 2004 4 newspapers.comSeptember 20–22, 2004800 (RV)± 3.5%45%50%5%Rasmussen Reportshttp://www.rasmussenreports.com:80/SD%20Senate.htm Election 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20040922041038/http://www.rasmussenreports.com:80/SD%20Senate.htm September 22, 2004 September 8, 2004500 (LV)± 4.5%50%47%3%Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (D)https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2004/sep/2/20040902-113505-1411r/ Polls show Thune catching up to Daschle in S. Dakota September 2, 2004 The Washington TimesAugust 25–30, 2004600 (LV)± 4.0%45%53%2%Public Opinion Strategies (R)August 24–26, 2002500 (LV)± 4.4%50%48%2%McLaughlin & Associates (R)https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/109259245/ Article clipped from Argus-Leader Argus-Leader August 22, 2004 13 newspapers.comAugust 11–12, 2004400 (V)± 4.9%45.0%48.3%6.7%Zogby Internationalhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/rapid-city-journal/109258471/ Article clipped from Rapid City Journal Rapid City Journal May 25, 2004 1 newspapers.comMay 19–20, 2004503 (LV)± 4.5%39%52%9%Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (D)https://rollcall.com/2004/05/17/republican-voters-stake-daschle-to-big-s-d-poll-lead/ Republican Voters Stake Daschle to Big S.D. Poll Lead Roll Call Staff May 17, 2004 Roll CallMay 11–12, 2004506 (RV)± 4.4%42%55%4%Mason-Dixonhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/109258397/ Article clipped from Argus-Leader Argus-Leader May 20, 2004 5 newspapers.comMay 10–12, 2004800 (RV)± 3.5%47%49%4%Zogby Internationalhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/rapid-city-journal/109257890/ Article clipped from Rapid City Journal Rapid City Journal April 2, 2004 1 newspapers.comMarch 27–28, 2004501 (LV)± 4.5%42.6%48.2%9.2%Rasmussen Reportshttp://www.rasmussenreports.com:80/South%20Dakota%20Senate.htm Election 2004 South Dakota Senate https://web.archive.org/web/20040217170007/http://www.rasmussenreports.com:80/South%20Dakota%20Senate.htm February 17, 2004 February 11, 2004500 (LV)± 4.5%45%48%7%Mason-Dixonhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/109257593/ Article clipped from Argus-Leader Argus-Leader February 13, 2004 4 newspapers.comFebruary 5–7, 2004800 (RV)± 3.5%43%50%7%Mason-Dixonhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/109257053/ Article clipped from Argus-Leader Argus-Leader November 7, 2003 1 newspapers.comOct 31–Nov 2, 2003400 (LV)± 5%44%50%6%Mason-Dixonhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/109256736/ Article clipped from Argus-Leader Argus-Leader August 31, 2003 6 newspapers.comAugust 26–27, 2003400 (LV)± 5%46%48%6%McLaughlin & Associates (R)https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/109256347/ Article clipped from Argus-Leader Argus-Leader July 27, 2003 17 newspapers.comJuly 16–17, 2003400 (V)± 4.9%45.7%46.6%7.7%Fabrizio, McLaughlin & Associates (R)https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/109256099/ Article clipped from Argus-Leader Argus-Leader July 20, 2003 15 newspapers.comJuly 7–10, 2003400 (V)± 4.9%40%46%14%McLaughlin & Associates (R)https://rollcall.com/2003/04/09/thunes-527-uses-war-for-fundraising/ Thune's 527 Uses War for Fundraising Chris Cillizza April 9, 2003 Roll CallMarch 23–24, 2003400 (LV)± 4.9%46%44%10%Fabrizio, McLaughlin & Associates (R)Fabrizio, McLaughlin & Associates (R)February 22–25, 2003± 3.1%45%45%10%Public Opinion Strategies (R)https://rollcall.com/2003/01/17/battle-of-the-badlands/ Battle of the Badlands Chris Cillizza January 17, 2003 Roll CallNovember 20–21, 2002500 (LV)± 4.3%45%46%9%Mason-DixonMason-DixonJuly 2002400 (V)± 5%46%48%6% Results General election resultshttps://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2004/2004Stat.htm#41 Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives Republican Party (United States) John Thune 197,848 50.58% +14.17% Democratic Party (United States) Tom Daschle (incumbent) 193,340 49.42% -12.72% 391,188 100.00% N/A Republican Party (United States) Democratic Party (United States) Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Douglas (largest city: Armour) Union (largest city: Dakota Dunes) Hutchinson (largest city: Parkston) Lincoln (largest city: Sioux Falls) Turner (largest city: Parker) Butte (largest city: Belle Fourche) Perkins (largest city: Belle Fourche) Tripp (largest city: Winner) Fall River (largest city: Hot Springs) Lawrence (largest city: Spearfish) Meade (largest city: Sturgis) Pennington (largest city: Rapid City) Gregory (largest city: Gregory) Stanley (largest city: Fort Pierre) Sully (largest city: Onida) Hughes (largest city: Pierre) Hyde (largest city: Highmore) McPherson (largest city: Eureka) Potter (largest city: Gettysburg) Walworth (largest city: Mobridge) Campbell (largest city: Herreid) Hanson (largest city: Alexandria) Codington (largest city: Watertown) Davison (largest city: Mitchell) Hamlin (largest city: Estelline) McCook (largest city: Salem) See also 2004 United States Senate elections References External links Official campaign websites (archived) John Thune (R) for Senate Tom Daschle (D) for Senate South Dakota 2004 Category:2004 South Dakota elections Category:John Thune