OACOMA - Republican Senate candidate Joel Dykstra said Friday he's not a sacrificial lamb in this year's U.S. Senate race, but instead can unseat Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson.

In a breakfast speech to about 75 people at the Republican State Convention, Dykstra said he can win the election because South Dakota voters agree with the GOP's support of personal freedom, private enterprise and limited government.

Dykstra said the political landscape has changed drastically since he first entered the race and began introducing himself to South Dakotans in early 2007.

"I'm pleased to report our prospects for success in November are brighter than many of you might have guessed so many months ago," Dykstra said.

Dykstra, a Canton businessman who won a three-way primary to capture the GOP Senate nomination on June 3, said more people are beginning to believe he can defeat Johnson, who is seeking a third Senate term.

"We are going to help Sen. Tim Johnson find that road to retirement he so richly deserves," Dykstra said.

Draping the table as Dykstra spoke was a red, white and blue banner with the message "REPUBLICAN FOR A REASON." He said he is not advocating a return to the 1980s, but the conservative principles of former President Ronald Reagan can lead the nation into a prosperous future.

Dykstra said this year's election will help shape the nation for the next 50 or 100 years.

"I am convinced we are facing choices about what kind of America survives, choices about our sovereignty as a nation, choices between more government or more freedom, choices between the opposite forces of tyranny and liberty," the Republican Senate candidate said.

Dykstra said he supports a health care system that lets people make their own decisions in a free market, government that limits taxes, and an energy policy that encourages more oil production in the United States and promotes the production of renewable fuels.

Democrats have proposed ideas that would increase bureaucratic control and government dominance of people's lives, he said. Government should set the ground rules and manage the playing field, but it should not make decisions for people, he said.

"Government must protect those who cannot protect themselves. It must not do for a free people what they're better off doing on their own," Dykstra said, drawing some of the loudest applause of his speech.

Dykstra said South Dakota's influence is hampered in Washington because Johnson's vote is the opposite of Republican Sen. John Thune more than half the time. "Our voice is not being maximized. It's being neutralized."

Dykstra complimented Spearfish businessman Sam Kephart, who was at the breakfast meeting and finished second in the GOP primary, for running a courageous and high-minded campaign. He said the primary campaign improved his skills as a candidate.

Party Chairman Karl Adam gave Dykstra a $5,000 check from the state GOP Friday morning to help with his campaign.