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Rhoden, of Union Center, and Stace Nelson, of Fulton.
• Pressler needs to collect at least 3,300 valid signatures by April just to appear on the ballot, and voter registration numbers suggest that he faces an uphill battle if he gets to that point.
• Of South Dakota's nearly 508,000 registered voters as of Jan. 15, just shy of 95,000 listed themselves as independent or having no party affiliation. That's a 27 percent increase from the 2006 general election, but the state has nearly 235,000 Republicans and nearly 177,000 Democrats, according to records from the South Dakota Secretary of State's office.
• Pressler, a self-described "passionate centrist" or "moderate conservative," is taking the approach that the journey might be more important than the destination.
• "We've got this situation that's just deadlocked and it becomes poisonous," said Pressler, 71. "And maybe in by old age I can do something to contribute."
• Pressler, a Humboldt native and Rhodes scholar who now lectures at universities across the globe, said he expects to be attacked for his support of gay marriage and his voting for President Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012.
• But he said it's important to work with others to get things done for the state, and that includes keeping a good working relationship with the administration and lawmakers from different parties.
• Frankenfeld said even if Pressler doesn't win, he'll have a positive effect on the race.
• "I'm not saying that his victory is by any means a foregone conclusion," Frankenfeld said. "It's plausible, and in the meantime, he's going to make for a very interesting contest. The debates now are going to be much more fun to watch."
•

• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota House has rejected a bill that would have prevented public school districts from starting classes before the last Monday in August.
• The measure on Thursday failed on a vote of 29-40.
• Opponents say school districts should decide when classes start in the fall. They say districts might choose an early start date to help students improve their academic achievement and prepare for required testing.
• Supporters argue that the bill would have allowed students to gain additional summer work experience and helped tourist businesses keep summer employees longer.

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