Hoyer Beats Hildebrand in South Dakota

A compelling article in the Rapid City Journal reveals the back story behind progressive Dr. Kevin Weiland's (D) decision did not challenge Blue Dog Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin in South Dakota.

Barack Obama campaign deputy Steve Hildebrand was actively involved in recruiting Dr. Weiland. The morning Weiland decided not to run, Hildebrand all ready had assembled three times the petitions required to declare candidacy with the headline "It’s official: 3,834 South Dakotans said I should run.”

That was, until Weiland received pressure from Washington to abort his campaign.

“Congressman Hoyer called me at home Monday evening. I was on a call with a patient, but I got back to him. He had some huge concerns about my primary campaign and about losing this congressional seat and the risk of losing (Speaker Nancy) Pelosi’s majority,” Weiland said Wednesday. “I spoke with him for 25 to 30 minutes.”

And then a call from Rep. Chris Van Hollen:

Weiland got another compelling phone call on Tuesday, this time from U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md. Van Hollen, an assistant to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, also urged Weiland to reconsider his primary run.