Washington (AP) Republicans in the Dakotas savored a strong election for the GOP. That includes delivering a senate seat for former South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds and giving incumbents in both North and South Dakota a chance to push their policies in a majority for the first time since 2006.
The Republican senators, John Thune of South Dakota and John Hoeven of North Dakota, say Rounds' arrival in Washington will dovetail with efforts on issues like energy policy and applying pressure to President Barack Obama.
For his part, rounds helps fill out a new Republican majority in the senate. He flipped a senate seat held by retiring Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson. Rounds' seat is one of at least seven picked up by Republicans nationwide.