Sam Kephart, a 56-year-old self-employed businessman from Spearfish, announced his candidacy Friday for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson.

Kephart, a self-described "Eisenhower Republican," said he plans to make his campaign official next week with an announcement in Spearfish. He said he wished Johnson well in his rehabilitation from a brain hemorrhage and subsequent surgery in December but also questioned the senator's ability to continue to meet the rigorous duties of a U.S. senator.

"I'm not against Sen. Johnson. I think he has done a fine job of serving the people of South Dakota," Kephart said. "I have some substantial questions about the propriety of him continuing given the serious nature of his health problems."

Johnson is home from a rehabilitation center and continuing daily therapy but is also becoming more involved in the daily business of his office. His staffers have said he is working his way back to full Senate duties but won't say when he is expected to return to the Senate.

Friends and supporters continue to raise money for Johnson's re-election campaign. He was intent on running again when he became ill, and staffers say they expect him to run. He hasn't said so officially, however.

Kephart said he has a conservative philosophy on issues involving the budget, business, the military and national security issues but is "progressive, not liberal" on social issues. He considers himself "pro-life" but opposes an abortion ban, unless it allows exceptions for rape, incest, serious health problems and to save the pregnant woman's life.

"I think a doctor in the privacy of his or her office is allowed to make those decisions with the patient and her family," Kephart said.

Kephart clashed with the Republican Party last year at the state convention over the abortion issue. He tried unsuccessfully to amend the party's stated support for a near-total abortion ban approved by the 2006 Legislature with language intended to show respect for opposing views by party members.

Kephart has since written a number of opinion pieces, some of which were critical of the direction of the Republican Party on abortion and other social issues. Because of that and the fact that he is a relatively recent transplant to South Dakota, it's unlikely that the Republican Party power structure will embrace his candidacy, Kephart said.

"I think the party is going to view me as an outsider, which certain members already have said," he said.

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