Republican
Kristi Noem sailed to re-election on Tuesday for South Dakota's sole
U.S. House seat despite strong support in Indian Country for Democrat
Matt Varilek.
Early election results showed Noem with a comfortable lead over Varilek. In past elections, late returns from reservations in the state have changed the outcome.
Not this time. With all precincts reporting, Noem won 57 percent of the vote, compared to 43 percent for Varilek, according to the
South Dakota Secretary of State.
County results showed the lop-sided nature of the vote.
In Todd County, home to the
Rosebud Sioux Reservation, 72 percent of the vote went to Varilek.
In nearby Shannon County, home to the
Pine Ridge Reservation, Varilek won 84 percent of the vote.
Over in Buffalo County, home to the
Crow Creek Sioux Reservation, 72 percent went to Varilek.
Similar patterns were seen in other counties with significant Indian populations.
But it wasn't enough to overcome Noem's strong support elsewhere in the state.
Noem was elected in 2010 as part of the conservative "Tea Party" movement that saw the House fall into Republican hands. She has voted repeatedly to repeal
Affordable Care Act, which includes a permanent reauthorization of the
Indian Health Care Improvement Act.
As a member of the
House Natural Resources Committee Noem has been more friendly to Indian issues.
But Varilek accused her of missing hearings and of failing to represent the state.
Get the Story:
Election: Noem dominates
(The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 11/7)
Charles Trimble: A political kiss of death from
a Lakota columnist (11/6)
Ryan Wilson: Indian Country can't afford Kristi
Noem any more (10/30)
Tim Giago: Stuck like a fly in the honey of the
Democratic Party (10/29)
Ryan Wilson: Good friend comes down with case of
Romneysia (10/24)
Tim Giago: Kristi Noem is still the right choice
for South Dakota (10/22)
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