A Republican legislator from Tripp has withdrawn his candidacy from the June third primary election.

Governor Mike Rounds says he's sure state Senator Tom Dempster, a Republican from Sioux Falls, will be on the November ballot, even if he has to be listed as an independent.



State officials say Dempster's nominating petitions were incomplete and that he can't run as a Republican.



Rounds says his staff has been talking to Dempster about whether he plans to challenge the decision in court or run as an independent affiliated with the Republican Party.

 
Todd Herseth of Mitchell says he's running for the South Dakota Senate.

He's a brother to South Dakota congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin.

It's the first political race for the 39-year-old Herseth, who's running as a Democrat in District 20.

 
State Senator Bill Napoli of Rapid City could run for re-election for another two-year term.



The District 35 Republican says it's time to get out of the way, so he won't run for re-election and instead will retire from politics.



Napoli first went to the capital city in 1972 and spent 22 years as a lobbyist.

 
The man who has tied the record for being the longest-serving state legislator in South Dakota isn't giving up just yet.



Representative Gordon Pederson of Wall, who is term-limited in the House, plans to run for the state Senate.



If the 80-year-old lawmaker wins, he will become the all-time title holder next January when he's sworn in.

Stan Adelstein of Rapid City says he'll run for the state Senate seat he lost in 2006.



Adelstein lost in the Republican primary that year to Elli Schwiesow, who used Adelstein's opposition to the abortion ban initiative against him.



Adelstein in the general election supported Democrat Tom Katus, who won.

Campaign spending by legislative candidates in South Dakota has doubled in the past decade, reaching 2.4 million dollars last year. 

The average per candidate in the general election was nearly $12,000. That compares to $5,500 in 1996. 

Obviously, some legislative candidates spend much more than others.