Republicans Lead in South Dakota Races but Some Contests are Tightening
In the Nielson Brothers July 2012 survey, Republicans hold leads in all statewide political races among likely South Dakota voters. In the presidential race, Republican Mitt Romney leads Democrat Barack Obama 49 percent to 43 percent, with the remainder undecided. In the South Dakota U`S House race, incumbent Republican Representative Kristi Noem holds a slim lead over Democratic challenger Matt Varilek 47 to 46 percent, with the 7 percent undecided. Republicans are also ahead of their Democratic challengers in both of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission races. While incumbent Kristie Fiegen leads Matt McGovern by only two points (43 to 41 percent, with the rest undecided), incumbent Chris Nelson has a much wider lead, 54 to 30 percent with 16 percent undecided, over Democrat Nick Nemec .Respondents were also asked to evaluate President Obama’s job performance. 27 percent say they “strongly approve” and 18 percent “somewhat approve,” for a 45 percent overall approval rating. Of the 55 percent who disapprove, 42 percent say they “strongly disapprove.”

NBP surveyed a random selection of South Dakota registered voters July 19 - 23, 2012. The question on the presidential race drew 546 responses, with a 4.19 percent margin of error. The question on the US House race drew 541 responses, with a 4.21 percent margin of error. The question on the PUC race between Fiegen and McGovern drew 536 responses for a 4.23 percent margin of error. The question on President Obama’s job performance drew 549 responses with a 4.18 percent margin of error.