The Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in South Dakota says incumbent Democrat Tim Johnson's decision not to debate is more of an issue with voters than the senator has let on.

Joel Dykstra's comments came Wednesday before making a solo appearance at the Dakotafest farm show.

Originally, a Senate debate was set for today, but Dykstra says Johnson refused to attend.

Johnson, Senator John Thune, Governor Rounds and other officials are in Wanblee today for an event marking the arrival of treated Missouri River water to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Johnson was at Dakotafest yesterday.

Johnson has said he's not debating but left the door open for a joint appearance if the candidates' schedules permit. He says if it happens, it would not be at any of the town hall meetings Dykstra has set up.