Senate Race

Dave Kranz:

Native Americans are traditionally a sure vote for Democrats in South Dakota, but this year, Republicans count them as one of the many fathers of John Thune's Senate victory.

Thune and state Republicans will gather tonight in Murdo to thank those voters and volunteers who helped improve on their usually dismal totals.

Democrats still have a clear dominance, but Republicans realized about a 7-point increase in the larger reservation counties over 2002, when Thune lost by 524 votes to Sen. Tim Johnson.

When credit is awarded, Elli Schwiesow of Rapid City should take the first bow. Schwiesow, vice chairwoman of the state Republican Party, was at the center of the effort to mobilize volunteers and communicate the mission.