Daschle on Tim Johnson: ‘An extraordinary human being’

SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — Tim Johnson and Tom Daschle were South Dakota Democrats who served in both the Senate and House in Washington, but their similarities don’t end there.

Each celebrated a birthday in December; in 2024, Daschle will turn 77 and Johnson would have turned 78. They each graduated from a South Dakota university in 1969: Johnson from USD and Daschle from SDSU. Johnson died Tuesday at the age of 77.

Dan Santella : How should we as South Dakotans and as Americans remember Tim Johnson?

“Well, I think South Dakotans should remember Tim Johnson as just an extraordinary human being who cared deeply about the people of South Dakota,” Daschle said Wednesday.

Johnson and Daschle represented South Dakota together in the Senate from 1997 to 2005 .

“I couldn’t have had a better partner,” Daschle said. “I know in a lot of states there are senators and congressmen that kind of compete with one another. Tim and I never competed; we always partnered.”

During their time together in the Senate, Daschle served as both majority and minority leade r. In the Senate, he and Johnson helped lead the country through momentous events: the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, the 9/11 attacks and the invasions of both Afghanistan and Iraq. Daschle believes Johnson’s friendship, camaraderie and commitment made him “a better senator.”

“He really continued to emphasize the importance of having an independent mind,” Daschle said. “Not necessarily being swayed by a political party or a particular interest group.”

For Daschle, Johnson was much more than a colleague.

“Very personal friend,” Daschle said. “We’ve known each other for over 40 years. Life has no blessing like that of a good friend, and I was deeply blessed by Tim and Barb’s friendship over these many decades.”

A funeral service for Johnson is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 18 at 10:30 a.m. in Sioux Falls; KELOLAND News will have livestream coverage of the service.

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