South Dakota senator hospitalized; Democrats' control of Senate thrown into question

South Dakota senator hospitalized; Democrats' control of Senate thrown into question
The Associated Press
Published: 2006-12-13 16:40:14


WASHINGTON: A Democratic senator suffered a possible stroke and was taken to a Washington hospital Wednesday, a glaring reminder to Democrats just how razor-thin their one-vote majority in the Senate is.

Democrats won a 51 seats to 49 in the November election. South Dakota's Republican governor, Mike Rounds, would appoint a replacement until the 2008 election should Sen. Tim Johnson die or resign.

If the two-term senator should have to be replaced, Rounds' replacement, almost certainly a Republican, would provide a 50-50 split in the Senate, and under the Constitution, the vice president breaks ties. That is Republican Dick Cheney.

Johnson is up for re-election in 2008.

Johnson, who will be 60 on Dec. 28, became disoriented during a conference call with reporters at midday Wednesday, stuttering in response to a question. He appeared to recover and asked if there were any more questions, then ended the call.

Back at his Capitol office he appeared not to be feeling well, and the Capitol physician came to his office, examined him and decided he should go to the hospital.

Johnson's office released a statement saying he had suffered a possible stroke.

"At this stage, he is undergoing a comprehensive evaluation by the stroke team," the statement read.

The White House issued a statement wishing him a speedy recovery.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Senator Johnson and his family," said White House spokesman Alex Conant.

South Dakota Secretary of State Chris Nelson said there are no special restrictions on an appointment by the governor, and a replacement would not have to be from the same political party.

Johnson, a centrist Democrat, was elected to the Senate in 1996 and has been one of the more reserved members of the chamber, rarely holding sway over news conferences.

He served in the House for 10 years from 1987 to 1997. His focus has been on committee assignments important to his state's interests — Indian Affairs and Energy and Natural Resources — as well as a spot on Appropriations. The latter allows him to direct money to South Dakota.

Johnson narrowly defeated Republican John Thune in his 2002 re-election bid. Thune defeated Democratic Sen. Tom Daschle two years later.

Thune issued a statement saying his prayers were with Johnson and his family. Rounds also issued a statement, saying he was hoping for good news.

Johnson has worked as a lawyer and county prosecutor and served several years in the 1970s and 1980s in the South Dakota state Legislature.

Both Johnson and his wife have battled cancer.

The senator underwent prostate cancer treatment in 2004, and subsequent tests have shown him to be clear of the disease. Barb Johnson is a breast cancer survivor.

The couple have two sons and a daughter: Brooks, who served in the U.S. Army in Bosnia, Kosovo, South Korea, Afghanistan and Iraq; Brendan, a Sioux Falls lawyer, and Kelsey, who works in Washington.

In response to one reporter's question on the Wednesday conference call, Johnson said he was most looking forward to spending the holidays with his family and grandchildren.

Johnson is the second senator to become ill after the Nov. 7 election. Wyoming Sen. Craig Thomas, a Republican, was diagnosed with leukemia on Election Day. He is back at work.

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Associated Press Writers Laurie Kellman and Natasha Metzler in Washington and Dirk Lammers in Sioux Falls contributed to this report.