The 2002 South Dakota Senate race between Democratic incumbent Tim Johnson and Republican House member John Thune is noteworthy for a number of reasons. First, it was very expensive given the relatively small number of voters and the inexpensive media market. The candidates and outside groups combined to spend approximately $24 million ($70 per vote cast). Second, the campaign was lengthy, beginning a year in advance and intensifying as Election Day approached. Third, the campaign was a proxy battle between Majority Leader Tom Daschle and President Bush. The president encouraged Thune to run and supported him with five visits to the state. Contrary to other races around the country, President Bush's visits actually hurt John Thune. Tim Johnson also successfully communicated the importance of his ties to Tom Daschle—something that would not have worked to his advantage had voters known Democrats would lose control of the Senate. Finally, the election was extremely close (524 votes). We chronicle the campaigns and identify the factors that allowed a Democrat to win in a Republican state on a day when Republicans seemed to have the edge in other key states.