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• Some of the same anti-incumbent forces that helped Noem win the seat two years ago could be in play again this year to help Varilek, who won Tuesday's Democratic primary with nearly 72 percent of the vote against Jeff Barth. The fall campaign likely will once again focus on whether voters favor Republican or Democratic positions in a divided Congress and whether they link the congressional race to their views on President Barack Obama.
• Noem defeated Democratic Rep. Stephanie

Herseth Sandlin, who was seeking a fourth full term in the House, by a narrow margin in 2010 amid voter frustration with Congress that swept many Republicans into office nationwide.
• Bob Burns, a retired political science professor at South Dakota State University, said both candidates are strong communicators, so the race is likely to focus less on personal style than on issues such as the budget and taxes.
• Varilek, 37, a former aide to U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., has said he worked his way through several colleges, including Cambridge University in England, so he could climb into the middle class.
• Noem, 40, is a former state lawmaker who has worked in her family's farming operation and run several businesses. She recently got her bachelor's degree, something she worked to finish while serving in Congress.
• Burns said Varilek's main challenge will be running in a state where Republicans outnumber Democrats and the GOP has won nearly every statewide race in recent years. Republicans have dominated South Dakota politics for decades, but the party

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