Several opponents of abortion bill lose

PIERRE, S.D. - Four Republican state senators who voted against a bill to ban most abortions in South Dakota were defeated in Tuesday's primary election. Just how much their opposition to the legislation led to their losses was not immediately clear, but abortion opponents in the state have long had a firm grasp on the Legislature. Several lawmakers who supported the abortion ban were successful in the primary. The most contentious race involved Sen. Stan Adelstein of Rapid City and challenger Elli Schwiesow, vice chair of the state GOP and a staunch abortion foe. Schwiesow, who had lost in 2004 to Adelstein, won this time and advances to the November general election. With all precincts reporting, Schwiesow had 2,145 votes or 52 percent.

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