John Thune Defeats Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle in South Dakota
In a historic election on November 3, 2004, Republican John Thune unseated Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle in South Dakota, winning 51 percent to 49 percent. Daschle is the first Senate party leader to lose re-election in 52 years. Thune successfully painted Daschle as an out-of-touch obstructionist to President Bush's agenda, capitalizing on controversies surrounding Daschle's residency and a campaign ad showing Daschle embracing Bush. The victory helped Republicans secure a net gain of at least two Senate seats.
Claims
▪Tom Daschle was first elected to the Senate in 1986 after serving four terms in the House of Representatives.
▪Republican John Thune defeated Democratic Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle in the South Dakota Senate race on November 3, 2004.
▪Tom Daschle rejected residency accusations, stating his tax records were changed to reflect the signature of his wife, a Washington lobbyist.
▪Tom Daschle is the first Senate party leader to lose a re-election bid in 52 years.
▪If leading trends held, the new Senate line-up would consist of 55 Republicans, 44 Democrats, and one independent, Jim Jeffords of Vermont.
▪Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist stated that Tom Daschle's goal as Democratic leader was to slow down, obstruct, and stop President George W. Bush's agenda.
▪John Thune received 197,814 votes, or 51 percent, while Tom Daschle received 193,279 votes, or 49 percent, with 100 percent of precincts reporting.
▪John Thune's victory, combined with a Democratic seat loss in Georgia, gave Republicans a net gain of at least two Senate seats.
▪Senate races in Florida and Alaska remained too close to call on November 3, 2004, with Republican candidates leading in both states.
▪Tom Daschle's campaign ran an advertisement showing President George W. Bush and Tom Daschle embracing in Congress after the September 11, 2001, attacks.
▪John Thune portrayed Tom Daschle as an obstructionist who blocked President George W. Bush's judicial nominations and undermined troop morale.
▪John Thune criticized Tom Daschle's campaign advertisement as a cheap effort to capitalize on President George W. Bush's popularity in South Dakota.
▪John Thune's campaign manager accused Tom Daschle of giving up South Dakota residency to apply for a Homestead tax exemption in Washington, D.C.
Story comments
Loading comments…