Johnson embracing underdog role in bid to upset Republican Congressman

Dusty Johnson's Democratic challenger touts blue collar background, no nonsense attitude in campaign for South Dakota's lone U.S. House seat

(Joe Sneve / The Dakota Scout)

Sheryl Johnson spent her formative years on a dairy farm in northeast Iowa, walking fields and learning about hard work, the value of a dollar and how to treat neighbors.

And those are the ingredients needed for the Democratic candidate for Congress to have a chance at upsetting Rep. Dusty Johnson in this year's contest for South Dakota's lone U.S. House seat.

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The Sioux Falls mom, former businesswoman and military wife earlier this month announced her candidacy in the race for Congress, and with it, her willingness to challenge a strong incumbent who's never been seriously challenged by a Democratic opponent — and in some elections, not at all.

“He's been able to save up a lot of money,” she said Friday while a guest on The Dakota Scout's weekly Scouting Report podcast.

The 61-year-old was referring to the campaign war chest Dusty Johnson has amassed thanks in part to the South Dakota Democratic Party not having fielded a candidate in either of his first two reelection bids.