Legislator says she was threatened not to run against Rounds

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota state legislator claims she was threatened not to run for a U.S. Senate seat by U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson. The congressman says he was just trying to be politically helpful.

Republican Rep. Scyller Borglum sent a news release and posted a Facebook video this week about a “DC-style ambush” at a Lincoln Day dinner last weekend. Borglum says Johnson, a Republican, threatened her not to challenge U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds next year. Borglum has made no announcement about plans to seek a higher office.

Johnson says he’s baffled by Borglum’s reaction to their conversation, which he described as friendly. He says he didn’t threaten Borglum or her political future or tell her not to challenge Rounds.

Borglum says the state’s Republican “establishment” is more concerned about its future plans than helping her improve as a legislator.