Former Republican Lawmaker Hopes To Run For Governor

Posted on Tuesday, October 27, 2009

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - Former state lawmaker Bill Napoli of Rapid City says he will seek the Republican nomination to run for South Dakota governor if his supporters raise $250,000 to start the campaign.

Napoli says the other Republican candidates do not relate to typical South Dakotan's because those candidates are elitist, white-collar politicians. Napoli, who owns an antique car shop, says he is a blue-collar conservative.

Napoli says his supporters already have pledges for $160,000, and he will run if the total reaches $250,000 by early next year.

Republicans already running for governor are Lt. Gov. Dennis Daugaard, Senate Republican Leader Dave Knudson,former Brookings Mayor Scott Munsterman, and rancher Ken Knuppe.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)