Rounds Hires Campaign Consultant with South Dakota History

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - Former Gov. Mike Rounds' campaign for the U.S. Senate has hired a Republican political consultant known for his role in a prior Senate race in South Dakota.

The Rounds campaign has retained Dick Wadhams, who managed John Thune's successful campaign to defeat Democrat Tom Daschle in the 2004 Senate race.

Wadhams also was chair of the Colorado Republican Party in 2007-2010 and has managed other U.S. Senate races around the country.

Rounds is the only announced Republican candidate for the Senate seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson, who is not seeking re-election next year.

The only announced Democratic candidate in the Senate race, Rick Weiland, has said his campaign is hiring Mike Lux, who worked in Bill Clinton's administration and has worked on five presidential campaigns.

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