Todd Vanderwerff

Stephanie Herseth, who ran unsuccessfully for South Dakota’s lone seat in the House of Representatives in 2002 and is currently teaching the Political Parties and Campaigns class offered at SDSU, announced Thursday that she will run for the House again in 2004.

“Based on the strength of our last campaign, I feel I want to give it another shot,” Herseth said to the Argus Leader.

Herseth lost to Rep. Bill Janklow in 2002 by a 53-46 percent margin.

Dr. Robert Burns of SDSU’s political science department said he applauded Herseth’s decision to announce early. Since whether Janklow will run again is up in the air, Burns said Herseth won’t be seen as an opportunist.

“She ran a very good campaign in 2002 and had a good finish in light of who her competition was,” Burns said.

Herseth will continue to teach her class at SDSU for the rest of the semester. She will not comment on the race to the Collegian until the class is finished.

Hallie Thomas also reported on this article.