We now know who wants to step up to the political plate to challenge Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin for her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Just in the past week this race has become more clear. Chris Nelson who has served as South Dakota's Secretary of State for eight years, announced his candidacy, and so did Blake Curd, who is a Sioux Falls surgeon and is in his first term in the South Dakota legislature. Thad Wasson of Piedmont is also hoping to represent the Republicans on the ticket.

They are three candidates that come from different backgrounds, but have the same goal, bringing fiscal responsibility to Washington.

The economy has been one of the top issues for many South Dakotans in the past year, and the Republican candidates for the House of Representatives are focusing in on fixing the country's financial problems. 

"There's far too much Washington in South Dakota and not enough South Dakota in Washington, and that's what I'm trying to get done," Republican candidate Blake Curd of Sioux Falls said.

"I'm worried about the future, not only for us, but for our children and the amount of debt that we're leaving them right now," Republican candidate Thad Wasson of Piedmont said.

"And be able to vote for things that are going to encourage economic prosperity and hopefully lead to a brighter future for this country," Republican candidate Chris Nelson of Pierre said.

Secretary of State Chris Nelson says he'd take action against racking up the national debt if he's elected.

"My primary platform is going to be fiscal responsibility. We've got a federal government that today is spending two trillion dollars more a year than they take in, and that's because we've got Representatives and Senators that are voting for that to happen," Nelson said.

Former Marine, Thad Wasson of Piedmont, wants to help the economy by stopping the exodus of jobs to China.

"First thing we have to do is put a tariff on all their goods that are coming in. I know a lot of people say, well, this is a free market and you can't stop free trade. They're not two economies that are exactly alike. They are communist and of course we are a democracy, and China can do whatever they want to their citizens," Wasson said.

And Sioux Falls surgeon and state representative Blake Curd says states should stop relying on federally funded government programs.

"We need to regain our sense of personal responsibility and make sure that we can solve things for South Dakota people in South Dakota ways, and not have people rely on government as some kind of large father," Curd said.

The three candidates will campaign for office until the Republican primary on June 8th.