SIOUX FALLS - A state representative from Canton, Joel Dykstra, on Thursday became the second Republican to step forward in the race for his party's 2008 U.S. Senate nomination.

Dykstra said he has filed declaration of candidacy forms with the Federal Election Commission that are required for preparation of a Senate campaign.

In May, Sam Kephart, a self-employed businessman from Spearfish, said he would seek the GOP nomination.

The seat is now held by two-term Democrat Tim Johnson, who has not been back on the Senate floor since suffering a brain hemorrhage in December. Johnson was hospitalized, underwent therapy and now is recovering at home. He has not yet said whether he's running for re-election.

Dykstra was elected to the South Dakota House in 2002 and is in his third term.

"I am very appreciative of the encouragement that I have received in my exploration of a run for the U.S. Senate," Dykstra said in a release.

"Everyone can see that Washington is not working and our government institutions are in crisis right now. Public support for the current Congress is at an all time low - and deservedly so," he said. "What is needed now more than ever is a common sense approach to the problems facing our nation."

Julianne Fisher, press secretary for Johnson, said Thursday her boss is still recovering and is anxious to get back to the office.

She said most incumbents wait until about a year before the next election to make an announcement.

Johnson was "leaning toward" another run before his medical problem, Fisher said.

"Therapy first, make the decision later," she said. "South Dakotans have been patient and supportive of him and Barb."

Max Wetz, executive director of the state Republican Party, said others also are thinking about entering the race. He said he wouldn't be surprised if the number of Republicans who seek the nomination is as high as four.

That would give voters a choice, he said.

The fact that Johnson has not made an announcement has been a factor in the run-up to the 2008 election, Wetz said. But whatever happens, Republicans will stick to the game plan, he said.

"It puts a big question mark out there as to who the opponent is going to be," Wetz said. Republicans will talk about the issues and the strength a Republican can bring. If Senator Johnson chooses to seek re-election, that's one battle, and if we have another challenger, that's another battle."

Dykstra, a Canton native, received an undergraduate degree in business administration from Oral Roberts University in 1980. Following a 19-year career in the oil and gas exploration industry that included nine years living and working in Europe, Dykstra and his family returned to South Dakota in 1999.

He is chief executive officer of Global Services Group, a consulting company specializing in international business development and market strategy.

In a release, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee called Dykstra a "fringe candidate" of the "far right," in part for comments attributed to him during debate on South Dakota's failed abortion ban last year.