PIERRE, S.D. (AP) Democratic Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin was one of 39 Democrats who voted against a Democratic-written health care bill in the House yesterday. It was one of a series of votes that have put her on the other side of issues pushed by the Democratic majority and the Obama administration.

Yet she has attracted daily partisan political fire from Republican Party operatives. And already, three Republicans have publicly said they want their party's nomination for the right to challenge her in the 2010 election, one year away.

University of South Dakota political science professor Bill Richardson says it will be difficult for Republicans to unseat Herseth Sandlin because she has voted mostly in line with South Dakotans' views on issues. He says she is "careful and prudent" and unlikely to make major missteps.

She has an advantage over Republican candidates in campaign funds. But even though her campaign had more than a quarter of a million dollars in cash on hand at the end of September, that's only about half as much as her campaign had at the same point before the last election.

National Republican Party officials have said they might help support the GOP candidate next year.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-08-09 1201CST | save this article / add to your favorites list