The battlegrounds are already shaping up and being defined for November. Republicans will maintain control of the South Dakota state senate, but it will be critical that resources flow to insure a solid, commonsense GOP majority.

A few minutes before the end of this year’s legislative session, Republican and Democratic members of the state Senate noted that for the most part, they had cooperated and avoided partisan bickering. They also took time to honor some senators who are not seeking re-election.But Senate Democratic Leader Scott Heidepriem of Sioux Falls reminded his colleagues that because of term limits and some lawmakers’ decisions not to run, 13 Democrats and 12 Republicans are running for re-election in the Senate.”And I don’t mind those odds,” Heidepriem joked.

His remarks were a reminder that despite the collegial atmosphere at the end of the session, the two parties will spend the rest of the year battling for control of the Legislature.

Democrats believe they have a good chance to win the Senate for the first time in 15 years, and they hope to make gains in the House. Republicans hope to continue their domination of the Legislature in a state where the GOP has a big advantage in registered voters.

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