South Dakota Democrats see gains in the Senate

By Kevin Woster, Journal Staff Writer | Wednesday, November 08, 2006

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Tom Katus got back on track Wednesday with a running schedule that had nothing to do with politics.

Fresh from his win Tuesday over Republican Elli Schwiesow in the District 32 state Senate race, Katus joined other members of the Black Hills Running Club for their weekly trot along the Rapid Creek bike path.

It had been a while, too.

“I’ve been too busy campaigning to make this run each week,” Katus said. “Now that the campaign’s over, I can start this kind of running again.”

But Katus also had plenty to ponder politically as he pattered off into the gathering dusk. His win against Schwiesow, a formidable campaigner who had aligned herself with the abortion ban rejected by voters Tuesday, disrupted a familiar Republican sweep of Black Hills legislative races. It also helped Democrats gain five seats in the Senate.

Going from a paltry 10 seats to more-competitive 15 in the 35-member Senate will still leave Democrats three short of a majority, something they haven’t accomplished in more than a decade.

But the new Democratic presence could be magnified by coalitions on certain issues with moderate Republicans. Former District 32 House member Mike Wilson, a moderate Democrat known for his conciliatory approach, said the Legislature offers the potential for bipartisan coalitions.

“Even when there were 20 House Democrats and 50 House Republicans, we’d reach out to those moderate 30 Republicans and band together to pass legislation that made sense,” Wilson said. “It wasn’t always about party, but a common vision. That’s always been the case.”

However, the five additional Senate seats could give Democrats “a voice at the table that they might not have otherwise had with only 10 senators,” Wilson said.

District 34 Republican Sen. Royal “Mac” MacCracken said he expects to work with Katus and other new Democratic senators on issues important to the Black Hills and the state. McCracken said he wasn’t surprised to see a slight shift in the composition of the Senate.

“I just think the South Dakota people, the citizens said, ‘We need some sort of change, and let’s move ahead,’” McCracken said. “Anytime we can work together in a bipartisan effort to further the state of South Dakota, we’re all better off.”

Republican Sen. Dave Knudson of Sioux Falls said the five-seat gain eliminated the Republicans two-thirds majority, which is a powerful advantage in legislative procedure.

“Whenever you have the two-thirds majority, it really diminishes the impact a minority (party) has,” Knudson said. “Now, with a much closer split, I think the whole tenor of the Senate could change.”

Katus will have an opportunity to be a part of that changing dynamic. So will 29-year-old Isabel businessman Ryan Maher, another unusual Democratic victor in a West River political world typically dominated by Republicans -- outside Indian Country, at least.

In winning the Senate seat in District 28, Maher sought support from traditionally Democratic tribal members on the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River reservations. He also tried to capitalize on dissatisfaction in the Republican ranch community with Gov. Mike Rounds for his handling of disputes involving the State Brand Board and Game, Fish & Parks Department issues.

Maher, an anti-abortion candidate who voted for the same Referred Law 6 that Katus strongly opposed, said that conservative position issue won’t prevent him from working with moderates who stated a strong distaste for the abortion ban.

“I’m a pro-life individual, and I believe in supporting our small businesses, main streets, farmers and ranchers and getting back to the nuts-and-bolts issues,” Maher said.

Katus said Maher will work well into the moderate mix that could give the Democrats more influence in the Senate than they’ve had for years.

“He’s probably more conservative than I am. But that fits the area he’s from,” Katus said. “But he fits right in with what we want to do.”

Contact Kevin Woster at 394-8413 or kevin.woster@rapidcityjournal.com