GOP garners reservation votes

By Dirk Lammers, Associated Press Writer | Friday, November 12, 2004

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SIOUX FALLS — Although Democrats continue to dominate at the polls on South Dakota's American Indian reservations, vote totals show that Republicans are starting to make inroads.

Sen.-elect John Thune, who captured Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle's seat in the Nov. 2 election, more than doubled his votes in Shannon County since his unsuccessful run in 2002.

Though Thune's votes account for less than 13 percent of the county total, they suggest room for Republicans to gain more support in Indian Country, he said.

"We saw some modest improvement," Thune said. "It wasn't a seismic shift," but it suggests potential, he said.

Thune this year got 564 votes from residents of the county, which lies within the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, compared to 248 during his loss to Sen. Tim Johnson in 2002.

In Todd County, which comprises the Rosebud reservation, Thune improved his take from 464 in 2002 to 776 votes.

If Thune had received those 628 extra votes two years ago, he already would be a senator. Johnson defeated him by 524 votes statewide.

Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly 11-1 in Shannon County.

Rep. Stephanie Herseth, D-S.D., said the past two election cycles are just beginning to show the influence the Indian vote can have in South Dakota.

"I was pleased that in 2004, unlike in 2002, that more candidates in the Republican Party were spending quality time on the reservations as well," she said.

Herseth said she is continuing to cultivate working relationships with people on the reservations. She said it is important for candidates to respect treaty obligations and recognize tribal elders' wisdom, especially in economic development and private enterprise.

"While we've seen historically that Native voters have cast their votes in larger numbers for Democratic candidates, that influence now transcends into the policy-making process," she said. "And I think you'll continue to see candidates of both parties reaching out to Native American voters."

Bruce Whalen, Shannon County Republican Party chairman, said the state party asked him to produce 500 votes on the reservation for this year's election.

"I said, ‘You turn out the Republicans, and then we'll get you a cushion down here in Indian Country,' and I think we did that," Whalen, a Lakota Sioux, said.

After his 2002 loss, Thune acknowledged he didn't spend enough time on the state's Indian reservations.

Thune said he made an effort in 2004 to develop relationships with tribal leaders and those outside the tribal power structure to get their perspectives.

He said he will continue to develop those relationships as he works with Indian Country to improve the quality of life on reservations plagued by poverty, addiction, health problems and a lack of economic development.

"They have protracted, serious problems that are pervasive and just need to be addressed," Thune said.

Whalen said he hopes Indians give Thune a chance in Shannon County, one of the poorest counties in the nation. Unemployment is more than 70 percent, and the average annual income is about $3,500.

Pine Ridge is a 95 percent government-run operation, and Daschle's approach to residents was paternalistic, Whalen said. Thune will work with tribal government to promote business so the residents become less dependent on government programs, he said.

Residents who make money by selling such diverse articles as beadwork and popovers could turn their vending operations into full-fledged businesses, given the right training and assistance, Whalen said.

"We have entrepreneurs on every corner. They're vending right out of their vehicles. I think if they were given an opportunity and some training to start a business, you'd see some restaurants open up here and maybe some gift shops open up around here."

Representatives of Daschle's office and the state Democratic Party could not be reached for comment Wednesday.