SD-Sen: Johnson To Go Home

Senator Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) is heading home to South Dakota to complete his recovery after a near-fatal brain hemorrahage back in December.

He plans on returning to the Senate in September.

No indication if he will run for reelection next year. If he doesn't, the seat could become a major race, and the most vulnerable of all Democratic seats.

Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-South Dakota) could be the best hope to keep the seat, but she may be eyeing a race against Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota) in 2010.

Johnson May Return Soon

Senator Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota), who nearly died of a brain hemorrhage in December may return to the Senate floor in September, if not earlier, maybe as early as next month.

Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) says Johnson has recovered 90% of his speech and has been in therapy five days a week.

Upon returning to the Senate, Johnson will make his final decision on whether or not he will run for reelection next year. Originally considered a top GOP target, Johnson's illness has kept the race off the map. Potential opponents, such as Governor Mike Rounds and Lt. Governor Dennis Daugaard are keeping quiet about the possibility of running against Johnson.

Johnson won reelection by an extremely narrow margin of 524 votes in 2002 against John Thune, who later beat Tom Daschle in 2004. If Johnson does not run, the likely Democratic candidate would be the state's lone member of the House of Representatives, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin.

Still, Tom Daschle believes Johnson will run again...and win.