South Dakota

First-term Democratic Senator Tim Johnson is running a close campaign against Republican John Thune, the state’s lone member of the House of Representatives. Thune, a member of Congress since 1997, has voted repeatedly against the interests of union members on international trade issues. When it comes to a prescription benefit for Medicare, Thune voted for insurance companies over the interests of seniors. Overall, he has voted against working people on 66 percent of the important votes this year. Thune has refused to promise he will not support risking Social Security privatization.

Johnson, on the other hand, has voted for the IBEW 89 percent of the time. As a member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, he has been instrumental in securing funds to improve access to health care for residents and veterans. He has been a champion for job creation and fighting for children, youth, and families.

Senate Votes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R W
Tim Johnson (D) R R R R R R R R W R 9 1

House Votes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R W
John Thune (R) W W R R W R W W W 3 6

Note: Thune’s record corresponds to House vote key on page 15.

The IBEW has 1,325 members in South Dakota.