South Dakota Libertarian Party Hopes to Prove Relevance

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The Libertarian Party in South Dakota is planning a state convention next month, with hopes of showing it is as relevant as the Democratic Party.

Democrats didn't nominate candidates for three statewide offices — attorney general, auditor and public lands commissioner. Libertarians have the opportunity to be the only opposition to Republican candidates for those offices.

Augustana College political science professor Emily Wanless tells the Argus Leader that Libertarian candidates could get a lot of Democratic votes in those races.

She says lack of name recognition is one challenge Libertarians will face. There also is some opposition within the party to the candidacy of Chad Haber, who wants to run for attorney general. He's the husband of former U.S. Senate candidate Annette Bosworth, who's accused of election law violations.

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