Varilek says, "Of course, in this campaign there are many important issues the people will have to consider when they decide who will be their next Congressperson from the state of South Dakota. Issues like the future of Medicare, whether to privatize it or keep the existing program strong, issues like the farm bill, committee attendance and others. So it's important we have debates on those issues."

Noem's campaign manager Tom Erickson says they're looking forward to the first debate Aug. 22 during Dakotafest in Mitchell. He says right now they're trying to see which additional debates will fit into the schedule.

-Jack Caudill