The 2008 Democratic primary in South Dakota was unlike any the state had ever seen.

With the party's presidential nomination battle between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama still not officially settled, the state was an unlikely player in the national campaign.

That, and the national spotlight it placed upon the state, made the race the Journal's top story of the past year.

While Arizona Sen. John McCain was already the presumptive GOP nominee, Clinton and Obama and their surrogates peppered the state with personal appearances right up until the June 3 primary.

Obama got endorsements from Sen. Tim Johnson, Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and former Sen. Tom Daschle. Ethel and Max Kennedy, the widow and son of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, and Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut made campaign stops for him. Clinton enjoyed a formidable campaign squad right in the family with former President Bill Clinton and their daughter, Chelsea. They made more than 30 individual stops in South Dakota, from the state's largest cities to smallest reservation towns.

The New York senator prevailed here with a 10-point victory, which rewarded her many personal stops, as well as her strength among older, blue-collar voters. It turned out to be her last hurrah, as Obama's delegate lead brought her eventual concession.

But the primary election pushed South Dakota to the forefront of national politics, in an election that the state's voters won't soon forget.

Other top stories include, in order:

2. Spring and fall bizzards paralyze region

3. Rapid City schools face financial crisis

4. Abortion ban fails again at the hands of voters

5. Canyon Lake Little Leaguers advance to World Series

6. Professional Hockey comes to Rapid City

7. Rushmore Crossing opens

8. Sen. Tim Johnson cruises to easy election win

9. Off duty cop shoots Hells Angels member in bar brawl

10. Cabela's opens

Related stories

Rapid City gears up for Clinton visit

Bill Clinton brings "solutions" to city Saturday: Event set for 3:30 p.m. at Stevens High School

Everyone from Secret Service to custodian helps event go smoothly

Crowd for Clinton exceeds expectation: 'I think he got a warm reception'

Bill Clinton to visit Pine Ridge Reservation Wednesday

Candidates, surrogates criss-cross South Dakota

Obama, Clintons, Kennedys plan South Dakota visits

Crowd waits, then welcomes Clinton for short speech

Bill Clinton returns to Pine Ridge

She's not Mick Jagger, but she's a star

Sen. Clinton promises support for Ellsworth, DUSEL, Native American health initiatives

Hillary Clinton makes a stop at Jerry's Cakes and Donuts

Kennedy stumps for Obama, fires back at Bush, McCain

Focusing on health care, sovereignty, Clinton fights Obama for Native Amercan vote

Campaign promises a Clinton in South Dakota every day

Clinton: Primary race with Obama 'going down to the wire'

Clinton's visit gives voters something to think about

Security for campaign visits requires coordination

Bill Clinton stumps for Hillary at BHSU

Obama says his ears too big for Rushmore

Obama asks S.D. voters for boost in Tuesday's primary

Energetic crowd greets presidential hopeful Obama

Residents gather in Rapid City for Obama town hall meeting

Big names, big news in Tuesday Democratic primary: This year, South Dakota matters

Hillary Clinton takes it to the wire, seeks support in 11th-hour Rapid City stop

Clinton campaign finds victory in overlooked state, voters