Wave carries Kristi Noem

Steve Young • Sioux Falls Argus Leader • November 3, 2010

Republican challenger Kristi Noem, riding a wave of voter discontent with President Obama’s administration, defeated Democrat U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin in Tuesday’s election.

With all precincts reporting results, Noem won by a margin of 48.1 percent to 45.9 percent.

Shortly after midnight, Noem declared victory, saying “I will do my very best to represent every single South Dakotan.”

“Now make no mistake,” Noem told supporters. “I think we need a strong dose of fiscal conservatism in Washington, D.C.”

In an interview early this morning, Noem said “I think my message resonated with the people, and I think because I run a lot of small businesses and farm, that meant a lot to people.”

“I also think they were frustrated with the way things were run in Washington, D.C., with the Democrats in charge.”

On Tuesday, Republicans won enough elections nationwide to gain control of the House but Democrats managed to hold on to their majority in the Senate.

“I think what we’ll see with the Republicans in charge in the House is a new opportunity to have checks and balances, and a new opportunity for both sides to work together in the House,” Noem, 38, said early this morning.

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