Democrats stop in Mitchell, sounding an optimistic note

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South Dakota governor candidate Scott Heidepriem shakes hands with Pat Gieser, while lieutenant governor candidate Ben Arndt looks on Monday afternoon in Mitchell. (Chris Huber/Republic Photo)

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Democratic candidates are “sprinting to the finish,” according to Scott Heidepriem, the Democratic candidate for governor.

Heidepriem led a group of Democratic candidates who stopped Monday in Mitchell as part of a two-day “victory tour.”

Heidepriem said he feels all trends point to a win for him, making him the first Democrat to be elected governor in South Dakota since Dick Kneip won the last of three elections in 1974. He and his running mate, Ben Arndt, are running against Lt. Gov. Dennis Daugaard, the Republican candidate, whose running mate is state Sen. Matt Michels.

“I’ve had a calm confidence about it from the beginning,” Heidepriem said during a stop at the Davison County Democratic headquarters in downtown Mitchell.

“I feel real good about our chances,” he said.

Ben Nesselhuf, the Democratic candidate for secretary of state, and Julie Bartling, who is running for auditor, accompanied Heidepriem and Arndt in the plane tour around the state.

The candidates stopped in Rapid City, Pine Ridge and Rosebud on Sunday before returning to Sioux Falls.

On Monday, they flew to Aberdeen, Pierre, Huron, Mitchell and Yankton before ending up back in Sioux Falls.

Heidepriem said he and his wife, Susie, will spend Election Day at grocery stores, Walmarts and “anyplace where I think I can find a group of people.”

He said the campaign has unfolded just as it was designed to do, with the Democrats making a late charge. Arndt and Nesselhuf said Steve Jarding, who has managed the Heidepriem campaign, always planned to peak on Election Day.

“We’re in good position,” Heidepriem said. “We’re within two points and the trends all point to us.” Bartling, a Burke resident who is ending 10 years in the Legislature, said she feels the Democrats have an excellent chance of hearing good news tonight.

“This is our victory tour,” she said.

State House District 20 candidate Becky Haslam was at the headquarters, as was her mother, Marian Letcher, who worked on her campaign.

Haslam is a Democrat but, due to a paperwork error, was forced to run as an independent.

She chatted with Nesselhuf, an old friend, who told her the campaign has been “a lot of fun.”

Arndt said as he has toured the state he hears from Democrats, Republicans and independents who are all ready to give the Democrats a chance at running the state.

“They’re ready for some change,” he said. “Now we’re out giving them that last bit of energy, the push to get out the vote.”

Arndt, who said he had campaigned in Mitchell more than any city except Sioux Falls, said he feels the candidates and their staff have done all they can.

“There’s not much more we can do,” he said. “It all comes down to getting out the vote.”

The candidates made a quick tour of downtown coffee shops before hustling to the airport and heading to the next stop.

Daugaard was in the Black Hills, where he took part in a rally with GOP House candidate state Rep. Kristi Noem — who is locked in an apparently tight race with Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, D-S.D. — and Sen. John Thune, R.-S.D., who is unopposed for a second term.

“We are feeling very good,” said Daugaard campaign manager Tony Venhuizen. “Dennis is still working hard for every vote, and we continue to see strong support across the state. I think (tonight) will be a great night for Republicans up and down the ballot.”

Tags: scott heidepriem, election 2010, dennis daugaard, news, state, politics, fccnetwork