South Dakota Rep. Dusty Johnson was the early favorite in the state’s gubernatorial race, but in the run-up to Tuesday’s primary, a poll found his edge eroding. The four-term Republican wound up finishing third, behind Gov. Larry Rhoden, who filled the vacancy left by former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and businessman Toby Doeden, a self-proclaimed “total political outsider who’s tired of the government’s failure to deliver on its promises.” Both Rhoden and Doeden secured a place on the July 28 runoff ballot. “It has been the honor of my lifetime to represent South Dakota in Congress these past eight years,” Johnson said in a statement. “While I am disappointed in the outcome, I am committed to helping Republican candidates get elected in November.” Johnson isn't the only House Republican from a safe red district who has stumbled in his quest to win higher office this cycle. In Iowa Tuesday, Rep. Randy Feenstra lost the gubernatorial primary to farmer Zach Lahn, a political outsider who ran on a “Make America Healthy Again” platform and an “Iowa first” approach to governing. Even an 11th-hour endorsement from President Donald Trump wasn’t enough to pull Feenstra across the finish line. Other GOP House members to lose statewide runs this year include Texas conservative firebrand Chip Roy, who fell short in his bid for state attorney general; Texas Rep. Wesley Hunt, who finished third in the Lone Star State’s Senate primary; and Georgia Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter, who failed to qualify for that state’s Senate runoff election. More could soon join the list: In South Carolina’s gubernatorial race, polls suggest Reps. Ralph Norman and Nancy Mace narrowly trail Trump-backed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, though the race remains tight. Democratic House members from safe blue districts have also been tripped up in their runs for higher offices, including Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, who lost their bids for Senate in Illinois, and Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who was defeated in the Senate primary in Texas. “It has been rough sledding for members of Congress trying for higher office,’’ said Roll Call elections analyst Nathan L. Gonzales of Inside Elections. While being in Congress might not be a liability in every case, “you don't get any extra credit” for it either, he added. Not every Republican House member saw their ambitions for higher office evaporate. While Carter failed to make the June 16 runoff, his colleague in the House Republican Conference, Rep. Mike Collins, qualified. He’ll face former football coach Derek Dooley for the chance to compete against Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in November. In Kentucky, Rep. Andy Barr won last week’s primary for the open Senate seat in the Bluegrass State, vanquishing former state Attorney General Daniel Cameron. Each race had its unique dynamics that also helped shape the results. For instance, Feenstra opted to skip debates with Lahn and the other Republicans on the primary ballot. And Johnson’s opponents questioned his loyalty to Trump and branded him a RINO (Republican in Name Only). But being a member of Congress can be a liability at a time when trust in the institution is low, the House is seen as dysfunctional and voters, particularly in Republican primaries, crave outsiders. “There's this sort of idea that once you go to Washington, D.C., you become this Washington, D.C. [insider] who suddenly doesn't know anything about the internal dynamics of the state anymore,” said Julia Marin Hellwege, a professor at the University of South Dakota. “And as voters on the ground have pointed out … a D.C. insider ultimately means the South Dakota outsider.” Johnson is a low-profile member who prefers deep-dives into agriculture policy to cable news hits. During his eight years in the House, he sought to cast himself as a bridge-builder. In his third term, he was selected to lead the Main Street Caucus, a business friendly, center-right group that became more active under his leadership. “Our caucus hates [fiscal] cliffs, we hate dumpster fires, we hate chaos,” he once said. “We aim to be the grown-ups in the room.” While Johnson is South Dakota’s at-large member of Congress, representing the entire state, the other House members seeking a Senate seat or the governor’s office are often largely unknown outside their House districts. They have to travel back and forth to Washington for legislative business, taking time away from the campaign trail. And it’s hard to paint yourself as an outsider when you’re a sitting member. “Voters are likely … feeling disappointment in incumbents,” Hellwege said. “There's still a lot of anti-government” sentiment. Jackie Wang contributed to this report.
