Johnson To Make Re-Election Decision 'Shortly'

Will he or won't he? That's the big question in what's shaping up to be one of the biggest U.S. Senate races for 2014.

The eyes of the country are on Senator Tim Johnson's office as he gets closer to making a decision on whether to retire or run for re-election.

Johnson was scheduled to have a conference call with reporters on Wednesday morning but that was cancelled due to a snowstorm that ended up leaving Washington D.C. more wet than white.

It also happened on the same day two national websites, Politico and the National Journal, put stories online speculating that Johnson's son, Brendan Johnson, would run for the seat if his dad steps down.

The last time Johnson talked to reporters in February he said a decision about retirement could come as early as this month. Johnson's communications director said on Wednesday it's a decision the Senator will make 'shortly.'

And it's a decision both Republicans and Democrats are waiting for.

"Absolutely, it's a big deal. They're calling it one of the top three to five races in the coming election cycle," South Dakota Republican Party Chairman Craig Lawrence said.

"Until Senator Johnson tells me otherwise, I assume he's running," South Dakota Democratic Party Chairman Ben Nesselhuf said.

South Dakota Democrats say Johnson has earned the right to take as much time as he wants to decide if he will run for re-election.

If Johnson does retire, there is speculation that his son Brendan Johnson the current U.S. Attorney in South Dakota, could be the Democratic candidate in 2014. Nesselhuf says the decision about a Senate bid will be up to Brendan.

"If Tim decides not to run, I think Brendan is going to be, if he decides to run for this or any office, he's going to be successful in whatever he chooses to do in life. He's a remarkable talented person," Nesselhuf said.

"It's no secret at all that he's trying to make that run," Lawrence said.

Lawrence is the new chairman of the South Dakota Republican Party and if Senator Johnson does retire he expects either Brendan Johnson or former Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin to run against former Republican Governor Mike Rounds who has already announced he will seek the U.S. Senate seat in 2014.

Republicans see 2014 as a year where they can control both Senate seats for the first time in decades.

"If there were two that's a huge shift in the Senate, so the eyes of the United States are on South Dakota," Lawrence said.

But Democrats promise to put up a good fight with what they're calling a 'top tier' candidate to run against Rounds.

"There's no doubt in my mind we're going to be ready to hold that seat," Nesselhuf said.

Brendan Johnson told KELOLAND News on Wednesday afternoon that he is, 'focused exclusively on his job as US Attorney' and is not discussing politics at this time.