Larry Pressler#Pakistan and the Pressler Amendment

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Larry Pressler

| image = Larry Pressler 1977.jpg

| caption = Pressler in 1977

| office = Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee

| term_start = January 3, 1995

| term_end = January 3, 1997

| predecessor = Fritz Hollings

| successor = John McCain

| jr/sr1 = United States Senator

| state1 = South Dakota

| term_start1 = January 3, 1979

| term_end1 = January 3, 1997

| predecessor1 = James Abourezk

| successor1 = Tim Johnson

| state2 = South Dakota

| district2 = {{ushr|SD|1|1st}}

| term_start2 = January 3, 1975

| term_end2 = January 3, 1979

| predecessor2 = Frank E. Denholm

| successor2 = Tom Daschle

| birth_name = Larry Lee Pressler

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1942|03|29}}

| birth_place = Humboldt, South Dakota, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| resting_place =

| party = Democratic (1968–{{circa|1974}})
Republican ({{circa|1974}}–2013)
Independent (2013–present)

| spouse = Harriet Pressler

| children = 1

| education = {{ubl |University of South Dakota (BA) |St Edmund Hall, Oxford (BA) |Harvard University (MPA, JD)}}

| signature = Larry Pressler signature.png

| allegiance = {{flag|United States}}

| branch = {{army|United States|size=18px}}

| branch_label = Branch

| serviceyears = 1966–1968

| serviceyears_label = Service years

| rank = First lieutenant

| unit =

| battles = Vietnam War

| battles_label = Conflicts

| mawards = {{ubl |Bronze Star Medal |Meritorious Unit Commendation| National Defense Service Medal |Vietnam Campaign Medal |Overseas Service Bar |Gallantry Cross}}

}}

Larry Lee Pressler (born March 29, 1942) is an American lawyer and politician from South Dakota who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1975 to 1979, and United States Senate from 1979 to 1997, as a Republican. He remained active in politics following his failed reelection campaign in 1996 and attempted to regain his former seat in 2014 as an independent, but was unsuccessful. He has since supported Democratic tickets.

Pressler is founder and president of the Pressler Group, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, a small business to work on projects in service of veterans.

Early life and education

Larry Lee Pressler was born in Humboldt, South Dakota, to Loretta Claussen and Antone Lewis Pressler and was raised on his family's farm.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2GnVJACDDr4C&q=Antone+Lewis+Loretta+Genevieve+Claussen |title=Current Biography Yearbook |publisher=H. W. Wilson Co. |year=1984 |isbn=9780824201289}} In 1961 he was selected as one of four 4-H members to attend the World Agricultural Fair in Cairo, Egypt.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43938774/argusleader/ |title=S.D. Youth to Egypt |date=March 3, 1961 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200209230819/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43938774/argusleader/ |archive-date=February 9, 2020 |page=12 |via=Newspapers.com}} At the 1962 National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago, Illinois, he was one of two recipients of the national citizenship award and also selected to meet with President John F. Kennedy on March 4, 1963.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43937357/argusleader/ |title=Pressler Will Visit President |date=December 11, 1962 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200209225331/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43937357/argusleader/ |archive-date=February 9, 2020 |page=12 |via=Newspapers.com}}

In 1963, he defeated Steve Byrnes with 1,014 to 909 votes and was elected as president of the University of South Dakota's Student Association to serve until 1964.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43937386/argusleader/ |title=Larry Pressler New USD Student Group President |date=April 1, 1963 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200209225547/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43937386/argusleader/ |archive-date=February 9, 2020 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}} He graduated from the university in 1964 and was later awarded a Rhodes Scholarship.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43937121/argusleader/ |title=S.D. Rhodes Scholars Are A Study in Dissimilarity |date=January 5, 1964 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200209225818/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43937121/argusleader/ |archive-date=February 9, 2020 |page=10 |via=Newspapers.com}} Pressler attended St. Edmund Hall at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar and received a Bachelor of Arts degree. He returned to the United States and in 1966 completed his Master of Public Administration degree at Harvard University.{{cite web |title=Biography of Senator Larry Pressler |url=http://www.senatorlarrypressler.com/complete_bioiography.html |website=senatorlarrypressler.com |access-date=May 24, 2021}}

He joined the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War from 1966 until 1968. After returning from Vietnam as a first lieutenant, he served for several years in the United States Department of State as a Foreign Service Officer.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43938301/argusleader/ |title=Humboldt Man's Background In 4-H Is Used In Vietnam |date=January 14, 1968 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200209230308/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43938301/argusleader/ |archive-date=February 9, 2020 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}} He later attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and Harvard Law School where he graduated in 1971.{{Cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/larry-pressler-most-interesting-candidate-of-2014-123/ |title=Meet Larry Pressler, the Most Interesting Candidate of 2014 |last=Burger |first=Timothy J. |date=2014-10-23 |website=Vice |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008201412/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/5gkqjx/larry-pressler-most-interesting-candidate-of-2014-123 |archive-date=2019-10-08}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43939593/argusleader/ |title=Harvard Law Graduation |date=June 27, 1971 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200209231845/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43939593/argusleader/ |archive-date=February 9, 2020 |page=24 |via=Newspapers.com}} In 1970 he became the business manager of the Harvard Law Record.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43939103/argusleader/ |title=Harvard Law Record |date=May 10, 1970 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200209231227/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43939103/argusleader/ |archive-date=February 9, 2020 |page=26 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Career

=House of Representatives=

During the 1968 House elections Pressler considered running for the Democratic nomination for the 1st Congressional District, but chose not to run.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43939007/argusleader/ |title=Pressler Mulls Solon Contest |date=April 9, 1968 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200209231425/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43939007/argusleader/ |archive-date=February 9, 2020 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}

In 1974, he filed to run for the Republican nomination in the 1st District on the last day possible and later won it, but the South Dakota Republican Party told him that he would not be given any campaign funds.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43942725/the_bismarck_tribune/ |title=Pressler Wins His First Race, Will Face Denholm |date=June 5, 1974 |work=The Bismarck Tribune |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210000557/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43942725/the_bismarck_tribune/ |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |page=28 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43942761/the_bismarck_tribune/ |title=S.D. Candidate Told Not To Expect Party Funds |date=June 8, 1974 |work=The Bismarck Tribune |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210000817/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43942761/the_bismarck_tribune/ |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |page=18 |via=Newspapers.com}} Despite the Watergate scandal hurting the Republicans nationally in the 1974 elections Pressler was one of six Republicans to gain a seat held by the Democrats.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43942926/the_bismarck_tribune/ |title=Watergate Muddies S.D. Campaign |date=June 28, 1974 |work=The Bismarck Tribune |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210000951/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43942926/the_bismarck_tribune/ |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43943078/the_bismarck_tribune/ |title=Denholm Falls, GOP Gains House Seat |date=November 6, 1974 |work=The Bismarck Tribune |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210001125/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43943078/the_bismarck_tribune/ |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |page=21 |via=Newspapers.com}}

In April 1975, he was accepted as a member of the Congressional Rural Caucus, later supported having open committee meetings for the House Republican Conference, and throughout the year he served as assistant minority leader to Minority Leader John Jacob Rhodes.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44000390/argusleader/ |title=Pressler Accepted In Rural Caucus |date=April 6, 1975 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210221037/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44000390/argusleader/ |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |page=13 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44010903/argusleader/ |title=Pressler Urges Party To Open Caucuses |date=April 21, 1975 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200211005723/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44010903/argusleader/ |archive-date=February 11, 2020 |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44028200/rapid_city_journal/ |title=Pressler to serve as Rhodes' assistant |date=November 9, 1975 |work=Rapid City Journal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200211061532/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44028200/rapid_city_journal/ |archive-date=February 11, 2020 |page=24 |via=Newspapers.com}} On April 2, 1975, he was hospitalized at the Bethesda Naval Hospital to be treated for diverticulitis and had surgery in December for it.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44000369/argusleader/ |title=Pressler Hospitalized |date=April 3, 1975 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210221400/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44000369/argusleader/ |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44028521/sioux_city_journal/ |title=Dakota Solon Has Surgery |date=December 29, 1975 |work=Sioux City Journal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200211062714/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44028521/sioux_city_journal/ |archive-date=February 11, 2020 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}} Later in the month he cosponsored legislation to create a House select committee to reinvestigate the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and the attempted assassination of George Wallace.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44011639/rapid_city_journal/ |title=Pressler seeks legislation to reopen investigations |date=April 3, 1975 |work=Rapid City Journal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200211010343/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44011639/rapid_city_journal/ |archive-date=February 11, 2020 |page=15 |via=Newspapers.com}} On July 30, the House voted 214 to 213 to increase its salary from $42,500 to $44,600. Pressler and eight other members of the House stated that they would not keep the raise given to members of Congress.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44013616/the_gazette/ |title=Nine Congressmen Reject Recently Approved Raises |date=August 10, 1975 |work=The Gazette |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200211013609/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44013616/the_gazette/ |archive-date=February 11, 2020 |page=20 |via=Newspapers.com}}

During the 1976 Republican presidential primaries, he criticized the rivalry between President Gerald Ford and former governor Ronald Reagan which he stated would hurt moderate Republicans as both Ford and Reagan were pushing their conservative stances.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44028338/argusleader/ |title=Pressler Say Rivalry Between Ford, Reagan May Hurt Chances Of Republican Candidates |date=November 14, 1975 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200211062223/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44028338/argusleader/ |archive-date=February 11, 2020 |page=21 |via=Newspapers.com}}

In March 1976, Jack Anderson and Les Whitten claimed that multiple articles written by Pressler had been copied in their entirety from The Washington Post and other newspapers.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44042021/argusleader/ |title=Pressler: Farm Ties Not A Facade |date=March 21, 1976 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213162317/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44042021/argusleader/ |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}} Pressler denied the charge of plagiarism, but admitted that a January 1976 article had "accidentally" included excerpts from The Washington Post.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44042067/argusleader/ |title=Larry Pressler Accused Of Plagiarism |date=March 20, 1976 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213162322/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44042067/argusleader/ |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}

After winning reelection in 1976 with almost eighty percent of the vote, Pressler stated that he was interested in running for the Senate in 1978.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45961436/argus-leader/ |title=Pressler Expresses Interest In Senate |date=November 6, 1976 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200302025603/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45961436/argus-leader/ |archive-date=March 2, 2020 |page=13 |via=Newspapers.com}}

==House committee assignments==

Committee on Education and Labor{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44012382/argusleader/ |title=Pressler Appointed To Serve On House Science Committee |date=June 24, 1975 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200211012057/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44012802/argusleader/ |archive-date=February 11, 2020 |page=14 |via=Newspapers.com}}
Committee on Science and Technology

=Senate=

In 1978, he was elected to the United States Senate, succeeding retiring Democratic incumbent James Abourezk and becoming the first veteran of the Vietnam War to serve in the Senate.{{Cite news |url=http://www.aberdeennews.com/news/opinion/lawrence-abourezk-s-contempt-for-pressler-remains-strong/article_eebf17fe-92d5-5452-b877-6e7725a7abd1.html |title=Lawrence: Abourezk's contempt for Pressler remains strong? |date=October 6, 2014 |work=Aberdeen News}}

He served in the Senate from 1979 to 1997 and was chairman of the Commerce Committee (1995–1997).{{Cite web |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000513 |title=Pressler, Larry Lee |publisher=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212000253/http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000513 |archive-date=December 12, 2012}} While in the Senate, he also served on the Science and Transportation Committee, Foreign Relations Committee and European and Asian Subcommittees. Pressler ran for a fourth term in 1996 but lost by three points to Democratic Congressman Tim Johnson.{{Cite news |last=Butler |first=Patrick |url=http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/five-questions-with-u-s-senate-candidate-larry-pressler/article_f282d2f4-a850-59ab-b2a3-1f4ad9fbf794.html |title=Five questions with U.S. Senate candidate Larry Pressler |date=May 5, 2014 |work=Rapid City Journal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011171944/http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/five-questions-with-u-s-senate-candidate-larry-pressler/article_f282d2f4-a850-59ab-b2a3-1f4ad9fbf794.html |archive-date=October 11, 2014}}

File:Larry Pressler presidential campaign bumper sticker.jpg

He briefly sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1980, campaigning on Vietnam veterans' issues.{{Cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/11/larry-pressler-election-99873.html |title=Pressler may run again — as an indie |last=Hohmann |first=James |website=POLITICO |date=14 November 2013 |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702183740/http://www.politico.com/story/2013/11/larry-pressler-election-99873.html |archive-date=2015-07-02}}

Pressler authored and won Congressional and Presidential approval of a sweeping reform of telecommunications legislation through the Telecommunications Act of 1996.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fcc.gov/telecom.html |title=Telecommunications Act of 1996 |publisher=FCC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212062920/http://www.fcc.gov/telecom.html |archive-date=December 12, 2009}} Among Pressler's staffers included future U.S. Attorney Kevin V. Schieffer{{Cite web |url=https://www.twincities.com/2008/10/08/dmes-schieffer-leaves-the-company/ |title=DM&E's Schieffer leaves the company |date=8 October 2008 |publisher=Twin Cities Pioneer Press |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618230438/https://www.twincities.com/2008/10/08/dmes-schieffer-leaves-the-company/ |archive-date=2018-06-18}} and future state senator Neal Tapio.{{Cite web |url=http://kelo.com/news/articles/2018/apr/17/watch-gop-us-house-candidate-neal-tapio/ |title=WATCH: GOP U.S. House candidate Neal Tapio |last=Epp |first=Todd |website=KELO.com/news |publisher=KELO News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619035724/http://kelo.com/news/articles/2018/apr/17/watch-gop-us-house-candidate-neal-tapio/ |archive-date=2018-06-19}}

==Abscam investigation==

File:ABSCAM-FBI.jpg

During a sting operation conduced as part of the Abscam investigations in 1980, Pressler refused to take a bribe from undercover FBI agents and reported the bribe attempt. In a front-page story, The Washington Post reported:

Thanks to the FBI's undercover "sting" operation, there now exists incontrovertible evidence that one senator would not be bought. Preserved among the videotape footage that may be used as bribery evidence against a number of members of Congress, there is a special moment in which Sen. Larry Pressler (R-SD) tells the undercover agents, in effect, to take their sting and stick it. Pressler, according to law enforcement sources was the one approached member of Congress who flatly refused to consider financial favors in exchange for legislative favors, as suggested by undercover agents posing as Arabs. At the time he said he was not aware that he was doing anything quite so heroic.{{Cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/access/130384902.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Feb+4%2C+1980&author=By+Martin+Schram+Washington+Post+Staff+Writer&pub=The+Washington+Post++(1974-Current+file)&edition=&startpage=A1&desc=Sen.+Pressler%3A+He+Spurned+the+%27Arabs%27 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131152345/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/access/130384902.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Feb+4,+1980&author=By+Martin+Schram+Washington+Post+Staff+Writer&pub=The+Washington+Post++(1974-Current+file)&edition=&startpage=A1&desc=Sen.+Pressler:+He+Spurned+the+'Arabs' |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 31, 2013 |title=Sen. Pressler: He Spurned the 'Arabs' |date=February 4, 1980 }}

In an overall review of the Abscam cases, Judge George C. Pratt praised Pressler, writing that, "Pressler, particularly, acted as citizens have a right to expect their elected representatives to act. He showed a clear awareness of the line between proper and improper conduct, and despite his confessed need for campaign money, and despite the additional attractiveness to him of the payment offered, he nevertheless refused to cross into impropriety."{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/07/25/nyregion/excerpts-from-ruling-by-federal-judge-upholding-the-abscam-convictions.html |title=Excerpts from Ruling by Federal Judge Upholding the ABSCAM Convictions |date=July 25, 1981 |work=The New York Times |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026150237/http://www.nytimes.com/1981/07/25/nyregion/excerpts-from-ruling-by-federal-judge-upholding-the-abscam-convictions.html |archive-date=October 26, 2014 |page=8}}

==Pakistan and the Pressler Amendment==

Pressler was also the sponsor of the Pressler Amendment, which banned most economic and military assistance to Pakistan unless the president certified on an annual basis that{{Cite web |url=http://www.historycommons.org/entity.jsp?entity=larry_pressler_1 |title=Profile: Larry Pressler |date=October 14, 2014 |publisher=History Commons |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828053203/http://www.historycommons.org/entity.jsp?entity=larry_pressler_1 |archive-date=August 28, 2013}} "Pakistan does not possess a nuclear explosive device and that the proposed United States assistance program will reduce significantly the risk that Pakistan will possess a nuclear explosive device."{{Cite web |url=https://fas.org/news/pakistan/1992/920731.htm |title=The Pressler Amendment and Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons Program (Senate – July 31, 1992) |date=October 14, 2014 |publisher=fas.org |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117000324/http://fas.org/news/pakistan/1992/920731.htm |archive-date=November 17, 2015}}

=Post-Senate career=

After his defeat in the 1996 election, Pressler passed the New York bar and worked again as a lawyer. Pressler subsequently became senior partner of the law firm O'Connor and Hannan, where he served for six years, and then formed his own law firm, The Pressler Group. Pressler is a member of the New York Bar, the Washington DC Bar, and the Supreme Court Bar.{{Cite web|url=https://join.dcbar.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?Site=dcbar&WebCode=FindMemberResults|title=Find a Member Results}}{{Cite web |url=https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/attorneyservices/wicket/page?2 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2021-04-08 |archive-date=2022-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420193820/https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/attorneyservices/wicket/page?2 |url-status=dead}}

He has also lectured at more than twenty universities in China, India and the U.S., and has been granted two lifetime Fulbright teaching awards.{{Cite web |url=http://www.cies.org/schlr_directories/usdir08/us_dir_name.htm |title=Fulbright U.S. Scholar Directory |publisher=United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211053907/http://www.cies.org/schlr_directories/usdir08/us_dir_name.htm |archive-date=December 11, 2013 |access-date=May 22, 2013 }}

In 1998, Pressler considered a bid for Mayor of Washington D.C., though he ultimately would not go through with it.{{Cite news |last=Powell |first=Michael |date=1998-06-12 |title=EX-SENATOR-FOR MAYOR? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1998/06/12/ex-senator-for-mayor/963bb4bc-818a-4175-b0f4-a4a6bd301525/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823180357/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1998/06/12/ex-senator-for-mayor/963bb4bc-818a-4175-b0f4-a4a6bd301525/ |archive-date=2023-08-23 |access-date=2023-08-23 |newspaper=Washington Post}}

During the 2000 presidential election he served on Governor George W. Bush's presidential campaign on its Information Technology Steering Committee, and later served on the Bush Presidential Transition Team in 2001.{{Cite web |url=http://www.larrypressler.com/ |title=Biography – U.S. Senator Larry Pressler – 2017 |website=www.larrypressler.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227053138/http://www.larrypressler.com/ |archive-date=2007-12-27}}

Pressler attempted a political comeback in 2002 by running for South Dakota's open at-large House seat but he essentially discontinued his campaign when Republican governor Bill Janklow unexpectedly entered the race.

Pressler was appointed an official observer of Ukraine's national election in December 2004.{{Cite web |url=http://www.usukraine.org/November.pdf |title=A Report on Ukraine's Presidential Election By The Delegation of Former Members of the U.S. Congress |author1=The Hon. Dennis Hertel (D-MI) |author2=The Hon. Daniel Mica (D-FL) |author3=The Hon. Larry Pressler (R-SD) |author4=The Hon. John J. Rhodes (R-AZ) |author5=The Hon. Bob Schaffer (R-CO) |author6=The Hon. Joseph Tydings (D-MD) |date=November 18–23, 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304083001/http://www.usukraine.org/November.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2012}}

On November 10, 2009, President Obama named Pressler to the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad.{{Cite press release |title=President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 11/10/09 |date=November 10, 2009 |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-announces-more-key-administration-posts-111009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216173650/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-announces-more-key-administration-posts-111009 |archive-date=February 16, 2017 |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |url-status=live}} He also serves on the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission.{{Cite web |url=http://mldc.whs.mil/index.php/about/commissioners |title=Commissioners |publisher=Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722214300/http://mldc.whs.mil/index.php/about/commissioners |archive-date=July 22, 2011}}

In October 2012, based on veterans' issues, Pressler endorsed Obama for a second term with an article in The Huffington Post and on national television networks.{{Cite news |last=Pressler |first=Larry |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-pressler/larry-pressler-obama_b_1948415.html |title=Republican Senator, Vietnam Veteran Endorses President Obama |date=October 8, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121126071715/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-pressler/larry-pressler-obama_b_1948415.html |archive-date=November 26, 2012 |work=The Huffington Post}} Pressler campaigned in a bipartisan team for Obama in the fall of 2012, speaking on behalf of the Obama ticket to certain veterans’ groups in Virginia.{{Cite news |last=Williams |first=Megan |url=http://militarynews.us/ex-senator-navy-chief-stump-area-for-obama/ |title=Ex-senator, Navy chief stump area for Obama |date=November 3, 2012 |work=Military News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014120142/http://militarynews.us/ex-senator-navy-chief-stump-area-for-obama/ |archive-date=October 14, 2014}}

He taught as a distinguished visiting professor at Sciences Po University, Paris, France, and Reims, France, in the fall of 2012.{{Cite web |url=http://formation.sciences-po.fr/en/enseignement/2012/ocan/2025 |title=Sciences Po Course List: The 2012 US Elections |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015060604/http://formation.sciences-po.fr/en/enseignement/2012/ocan/2025 |archive-date=October 15, 2014 |access-date=May 22, 2013 }} He chiefly teaches international relations to graduate students.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}

In 2013, Pressler was a signatory to an amicus curiae brief submitted to the Supreme Court in support of same-sex marriage during the Hollingsworth v. Perry case.{{Cite news |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/02/28/the-pro-freedom-republicans-are-coming-131-sign-gay-marriage-brief.html |title=The Pro-Freedom Republicans Are Coming: 131 Sign Gay Marriage Brief |work=The Daily Beast |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006115616/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/02/28/the-pro-freedom-republicans-are-coming-131-sign-gay-marriage-brief.html |archive-date=October 6, 2014}}

During the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections he endorsed and voted for Barack Obama.{{Cite news |last=Montgomery |first=David |url=http://www.argusleader.com/article/20131227/NEWS/312270007/Independent-voice-needed-Larry-Pressler-says |title=Independent voice needed, Larry Pressler says |date=December 27, 2013 |work=Argus Leader}} Pressler endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election{{Cite news |last=Devaney |first=Tim |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/283330-former-gop-senator-endorses-clinton-after-orlando-shooting/ |title=Former GOP senator endorses Clinton after Orlando shooting |date=June 13, 2016 |work=The Hill |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012215057/http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/283330-former-gop-senator-endorses-clinton-after-orlando-shooting |archive-date=October 12, 2016}} and Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.{{Cite web|title=Former South Dakota Sen. Larry Pressler crosses partisan line again, endorses 'close friend' Joe Biden for president|url=https://www.sdstandardnow.com/home/former-south-dakota-sen-larry-pressler-crosses-partisan-line-again-endorses-close-friend-joe-biden-for-president|access-date=2020-11-28|website=The South Dakota Standard|date=27 September 2020 |language=en-US}}

Pressler continued his public lectures including a speech at Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Poland, on June 4, 2018, for the 2018 International Security Forum.{{Cite web |url=https://isf2018.org |title=Home |website=ISF 2018 |language=en-US |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162623/https://isf2018.org/ |archive-date=2018-06-12}}

In 2020, Pressler, along with over 130 other former Republican national security officials, signed a statement that asserted that Donald Trump was unfit to serve another term, and "To that end, we are firmly convinced that it is in the best interest of our nation that Vice President Joe Biden be elected as the next President of the United States, and we will vote for him."{{cite web |url=https://www.defendingdemocracytogether.org/national-security/ |title=Former Republican National Security Officials for Biden |date=20 August 2020 |website=Defending Democracy Together |access-date=26 August 2021}}

=2014 U.S. Senate election=

The Native American Times reported in November 2013 that Pressler, at the age of 71, was weighing an independent comeback bid for the seat vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Tim Johnson in the 2014 election.{{Cite news |url=http://nativetimes.com/index.php/news/politics/9229-former-sd-senator-explores-run-as-independent-for-us-office |title=Former SD senator explores run as Independent for US office |date=November 7, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111061618/http://nativetimes.com/index.php/news/politics/9229-former-sd-senator-explores-run-as-independent-for-us-office |archive-date=November 11, 2013 |agency=Native American Times}} After being approached by a group of citizens asking him to run, Pressler assessed his chances of victory by saying, "I think it's possible but unlikely."{{Cite news |url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/hotline-on-call/former-republican-senator-making-his-comeback-as-an-independent-20131113 |title=Former Republican Senator Making his Comeback as an Independent |date=November 13, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131116073321/http://www.nationaljournal.com/hotline-on-call/former-republican-senator-making-his-comeback-as-an-independent-20131113 |archive-date=November 16, 2013 |agency=National Journal}} At the conclusion of an exploratory tour of South Dakota's 66 counties in late 2013, however, Pressler announced his candidacy and stated confidently, "I intend to win."{{Cite news |url=http://archive.argusleader.com/article/20131227/NEWS/312270007/Independent-voice-needed-Larry-Pressler-says |title=Independent voice needed, Larry Pressler says |date=December 27, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140505162909/http://archive.argusleader.com/article/20131227/NEWS/312270007/Independent-voice-needed-Larry-Pressler-says |archive-date=May 5, 2014 |agency=Argus Leader}} Pressler faced Republican former Governor Mike Rounds, Democratic congressional aide Rick Weiland, and independent conservative state legislator Gordon Howie in a four-way race.{{Cite news |last=Blake |first=Aaron |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/10/08/theres-something-very-interesting-happening-in-south-dakota/ |title=There's something very interesting happening in South Dakota |date=October 8, 2014 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013033859/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/10/08/theres-something-very-interesting-happening-in-south-dakota/ |archive-date=October 13, 2014}}{{Cite news |last=Jaffe |first=Alexandra |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/202575-second-independent-running-for-senate-in-sd/ |title=Second independent running for SD Senate |date=April 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016051158/http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/202575-second-independent-running-for-senate-in-sd |archive-date=October 16, 2014 |work=The Hill}}

Shortly before announcing his intention to run for office, Pressler explained his becoming an independent: "I don't think I've moved, I think the party has moved. I feel like a man without a party. … My intent is not to hurt anyone."{{Cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/11/larry-pressler-election-99873.html |title=Larry Pressler may run again in South Dakota – as an independent |date=November 14, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205183645/http://www.politico.com/story/2013/11/larry-pressler-election-99873.html |archive-date=December 5, 2013 |agency=Politico}} During his unsuccessful campaign, Pressler did not commit to caucusing with either party in the Senate if elected. He stated that he would only serve for one term, and pledged that he would "never raise a dollar" in campaign funds while in office.{{Cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Ben |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/01/17/larry-pressler-shoots-for-a-maverick-senate-comeback.html |title=Larry Pressler Shoots for a Maverick Senate Comeback |date=January 17, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015101553/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/01/17/larry-pressler-shoots-for-a-maverick-senate-comeback.html |archive-date=October 15, 2014 |publisher=Daily Beast}}

Pressler has said that he views both parties as being "too entrenched in their respective ideologies at the expense of common sense solutions."

Pressler supported raising taxes on the rich, possibly gradually increasing the retirement age for Social Security. He said that his top priority was cutting the national deficit. He also supported "much, much stronger" background checks for gun sales for mentally challenged persons. According to the Argus Leader, Pressler was "adamantly opposed to military adventurism, supports expanding background checks on gun sales, favors restricting corporate donations to political campaigns and has called for a museum honoring Native Americans wiped out by white expansion." He had also voted for Barack Obama for president, citing "fiscally conservative reasons".{{Cite news |last=Ellis |first=Jonathan |url=http://www.argusleader.com/story/opinion/columnists/jonathan-ellis/2014/09/06/ellis-republicans-attack-pressler/15230823/ |title=Ellis: Republicans won't attack Pressler |date=September 6, 2014 |work=Argus Leader}} Pressler stated his support for same-sex marriage and filed an Amicus Curiae brief to the Supreme Court in regard to Hollingsworth v. Perry.{{Cite news |last=Sammi Bjelland |url=http://www.keloland.com/newsdetail.cfm/larry-pressler-shows-support-for-gay-marriage-in-sd/?id=165958 |title=Larry Pressler Shows Support For Gay Marriage In SD |date=June 18, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015195623/http://www.keloland.com/newsdetail.cfm/larry-pressler-shows-support-for-gay-marriage-in-sd/?id=165958 |archive-date=October 15, 2014 |publisher=Keloland Television}}

During the 2014 campaign, Pressler was endorsed by South Dakota's two largest newspapers, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader and the Rapid City Journal, as well as The Daily Republic in Mitchell.{{Cite web |url=https://www.argusleader.com/story/opinion/editorials/2014/11/01/endorsement-pressler-best-choice-senate/18304441/ |title=Endorsement: Pressler best choice for Senate |website=Argus Leader |language=en}}{{Cite web |url=https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/opinion/editorial-journal-endorses-pressler-for-us-senate/article_d47214bc-6ffc-5473-825f-a9e317e2bc79.html |title=EDITORIAL: Journal endorses Pressler for US Senate |date=2 November 2014 |website=Rapid City Journal Media Group |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008201413/https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/opinion/editorial-journal-endorses-pressler-for-us-senate/article_d47214bc-6ffc-5473-825f-a9e317e2bc79.html |archive-date=8 October 2019}} The race also drew some national attention. The Wall Street Journal reported, "Republicans had been expected to easily win the open Senate seat in South Dakota this year, but the race has tightened recently. Earlier this month, Democrats began sending cash to the race after concluding the unusual, four-way race was winnable."{{Cite web |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2014/10/21/fbi-agent-in-abscam-sting-to-campaign-for-pressler-in-south-dakota/ |title=FBI Agent in Abscam Sting to Campaign for Pressler in South Dakota |last=Peterson |first=Kristina |date=2014-10-21 |website=WSJ |language=en-US |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309061436/http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2014/10/21/fbi-agent-in-abscam-sting-to-campaign-for-pressler-in-south-dakota/ |archive-date=2016-03-09}} The New York Times said, "A race that most had thought was safely Republican is suddenly the focus of national attention, thanks to the surprisingly successful candidacy of former Senator Larry Pressler, a Republican who is running as an independent."{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Jonathan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/14/us/politics/senate-contest-in-south-dakota-is-free-for-all.html |title=Senate Contest in South Dakota Is Free-for-All |date=2014-10-13 |work=The New York Times |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921163513/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/14/us/politics/senate-contest-in-south-dakota-is-free-for-all.html |archive-date=2018-09-21 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

Pressler ultimately lost the 2014 Senate election to Governor Rounds.{{Cite web |url=http://electionresults.sd.gov/resultsSW.aspx?type=SWR&map=CTY |title=2014 Statewide Election Results |publisher=South Dakota Secretary of State |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330070533/http://electionresults.sd.gov/resultsSW.aspx?type=SWR&map=CTY |archive-date=March 30, 2019}}

Political positions

=Domestic=

==Trade==

In 1975 Pressler cosponsored a bill that would prohibit the importation of beef and dairy products to improve domestic sales of those products to help farmers and he later asked President Gerald Ford to place a tariff on all imported cheese products.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43999185/argusleader/ |title=Pressler Cosponsors Product Embargo Bill |date=March 5, 1975 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210215939/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43999185/argusleader/ |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |page=9 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43999435/argusleader/ |title=Pressler Favors Duty On Cheese Imports |date=April 1, 1975 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210220129/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43999435/argusleader/ |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |page=17 |via=Newspapers.com}} He later sent a letter to Vern Loen, one of Ford's advisors, stating that Harry S. Truman's victory in the 1948 presidential election was due to his support among farmers in swing states. He stated that in order to gain the vote of farmers that Ford should impose tariffs on dairy products while subsidizing exporting dairy products, removing most favored nation trade status for countries that have restrictions on United States beef, dairy, and pork products, and to give equal priority to agricultural products that industrial products were given at the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44037819/the_daily_republic/ |title=Pressler wants Administration to study ag trade policies |date=January 3, 1976 |work=The Daily Republic |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200211162006/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44037819/the_daily_republic/ |archive-date=February 11, 2020 |page=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}

=Foreign=

==Foreign aid==

The House of Representatives voted 212 to 202 in favor of allotting $3.5 billion to foreign aid in the 1975 budget with Pressler voting against it stating that the United States couldn't afford to give money to foreign countries and criticized the $1 billion given to Middle Eastern countries for weapons.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43999308/rapid_city_journal/ |title=Pressler votes against aid bill |date=March 14, 1975 |work=Rapid City Journal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210220721/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43999308/rapid_city_journal/ |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}} On September 2, 1975, he criticized the Sinai Interim Agreement as it would have as it would give $2.8 billion to Israel, $2.3 billion to Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab states, and require the United States to send 100 technicians to observe the Israeli-Egyptian border.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44027771/kenosha_news/ |title=Ford turns to Congress to implement agreement |date=September 2, 1975 |work=Kenosha News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200211060148/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44027771/kenosha_news/ |archive-date=February 11, 2020 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44027882/argusleader/ |title=Pressler Says Peace Pact Cost Near Vetoed Education Measure |date=September 2, 1975 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200211060616/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44027882/argusleader/ |archive-date=February 11, 2020 |page=13 |via=Newspapers.com}} On April 28, 1976, he voted against a $3.2 billion foreign military aid increase as it would be given to both sides participating in the Cyprus dispute.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44163516/the_daily_republic/ |title=Pressler votes "no" on military help |date=April 29, 1976 |work=The Daily Republic |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213163334/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44163516/the_daily_republic/ |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}

==Military==

On April 28, 1975, Pressler stated that American military bases in Europe should be relocated to the United States to improve the economy and due to European aggravation against the United States military presence.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44011410/argusleader/ |title=Pressler votes against aid bill |date=April 28, 1975 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200211005924/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44011410/argusleader/ |archive-date=February 11, 2020 |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}} After President Ford gave his State of the Union Address in 1976 Pressler criticized him for not offering national defense spending cuts.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44038019/argusleader/ |title=Pressler Comments On Ford Address |date=January 21, 1976 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200211162248/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44038019/argusleader/ |archive-date=February 11, 2020 |page=38 |via=Newspapers.com}}

==Vietnam War==

In 1975 Pressler supported a bill to create a Missing In Action select committee to investigate the 921 cases of soldiers still missing in action from the Vietnam War.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43999449/argusleader/ |title=Pressler For Action On Missing Soldiers |date=April 1, 1975 |work=Argus-Leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210220315/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43999449/argusleader/ |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |page=11 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Personal life

Pressler is married to Harriet Pressler. The couple has one daughter and four grandchildren.{{Cite news |url=https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/1536178-larry-pressler-reflects-rumors-rivals-friends |date=July 9, 2011 |work=Mitchell Republic |title=Larry Pressler reflects on rumors, rivals, friends}} In 2015, at the age of 73, Pressler converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.{{Cite news |url=https://www.deseret.com/2015/4/22/20563094/spiritual-journey-leads-3-term-u-s-senator-to-lds-church#clayton-christensen-left-a-former-area-seventy-for-the-lds-church-performed-the-baptism-of-sen-larry-pressler-who-served-three-terms-in-the-u-s-senate-from-1979-1996-for-the-state-of-south-dakota-the-baptism-took-place-in-chevy-chase-maryland-on-sunday-april-19-2015/ |title=Spiritual journey leads 3-term U.S. senator to LDS Church |date=April 21, 2015 |work=Deseret News |via=Newspapers.com}}

Electoral history

{{hidden begin|toggle=left|title=Larry Pressler electoral history}}

{{Election box begin|title = 1974 South Dakota's 1st Congressional District Republican primary{{Cite news |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=561695 |title=ND District 1 – 1974 Republican primary |date=September 17, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026184421/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=561695 |archive-date=October 26, 2014}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Larry Pressler

|votes = 22,724

|percentage = 50.15%

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Ione Larsen

|votes = 13,940

|percentage = 30.76%

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Cornelis VanHelden

|votes = 8,650

|percentage = 19.09%

|change =

}}

{{Election box total|

|votes = 45,314

|percentage = 100.00%

|change =

}}

{{Election box begin|title = 1974 South Dakota's 1st Congressional District election{{Cite news |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=32779 |title=ND District 1 – 1974 election |date=June 16, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319101715/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=32779 |archive-date=March 19, 2016}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Larry Pressler

|votes = 78,266

|percentage = 55.27%

|change = +15.80%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Frank E. Denholm (incumbent)

|votes = 63,339

|percentage = 44.73%

|change = -15.80%

}}

{{Election box total|

|votes = 141,605

|percentage = 100.00%

|change =

}}

{{Election box begin|title = 1976 South Dakota's 1st Congressional District election{{Cite news |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=31595 |title=ND District 1 – 1976 election |date=January 22, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319112106/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=31595 |archive-date=March 19, 2016}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Larry Pressler (incumbent)

|votes = 121,587

|percentage = 79.78%

|change = +24.51%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = James V. Guffey

|votes = 29,533

|percentage = 19.38%

|change = -25.35%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Donald Stevens

|votes = 1,282

|percentage = 0.84%

|change = +0.84%

}}

{{Election box total|

|votes = 152,402

|percentage = 100.00%

|change =

}}

{{Election box begin|title = 1978 South Dakota Senate Republican primary{{Cite news |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=270782 |title=ND Senate – 1978 Republican primary |date=June 29, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026184232/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=270782 |archive-date=October 26, 2014}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Larry Pressler

|votes = 66,893

|percentage = 73.88%

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Ron Williamson

|votes = 23,646

|percentage = 26.12%

|change =

}}

{{Election box total|

|votes = 45,314

|percentage = 100.00%

|change =

}}

{{Election box begin|title = 1978 South Dakota Senate election{{Cite news |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=5314 |title=ND Senate – 1978 election |date=December 18, 2003 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026184201/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=5314 |archive-date=October 26, 2014}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Larry Pressler

|votes = 170,832

|percentage = 66.84%

|change = +23.88%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Don Barnett

|votes = 84,767

|percentage = 33.16%

|change = -23.88%

}}

{{Election box total|

|votes = 255,599

|percentage = 100.00%

|change =

}}

{{Election box begin|title = 1984 South Dakota Senate election{{Cite news |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=3701 |title=ND Senate – 1984 election |date=January 11, 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026184140/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=3701 |archive-date=October 26, 2014}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Larry Pressler (incumbent)

|votes = 235,176

|percentage = 66.84%

|change = +7.65%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = George V. Cunningham

|votes = 80,537

|percentage = 25.51%

|change = -7.65%

}}

{{Election box total|

|votes = 315,713

|percentage = 100.00%

|change =

}}

{{Election box begin|title = 1990 South Dakota Senate election{{Cite news |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=3512 |title=ND Senate – 1990 election |date=April 8, 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026182038/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=3512 |archive-date=October 26, 2014}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Larry Pressler (incumbent)

|votes = 135,682

|percentage = 52.39%

|change = -14.45%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Ted Muenster

|votes = 116,727

|percentage = 45.07%

|change = +19.56%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Dean L. Sinclair

|votes = 6,567

|percentage = 2.54%

|change = +2.54%

}}

{{Election box total|

|votes = 258,976

|percentage = 100.00%

|change =

}}

{{Election box begin|title = 1996 South Dakota Senate election{{Cite news |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=185 |title=ND Senate – 1996 election |date=April 20, 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026184119/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=185 |archive-date=October 26, 2014}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Tim Johnson

|votes = 166,533

|percentage = 51.32%

|change = +6.25%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Larry Pressler (incumbent)

|votes = 157,954

|percentage = 48.68%

|change = -3.71%

}}

{{Election box total|

|votes = 324,487

|percentage = 100.00%

|change =

}}

{{Election box begin|title = 2014 South Dakota Senate election{{Cite news |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=511285 |title=ND Senate – 2014 election |date=February 1, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710000556/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=511285 |archive-date=July 10, 2017}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Mike Rounds

|votes = 140,741

|percentage = 50.37%

|change = +12.86%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Rick Weiland

|votes = 82,456

|percentage = 29.51%

|change = -32.98%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Larry Pressler

|votes = 47,741

|percentage = 17.09%

|change = +17.09%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Gordon Howie

|votes = 8,474

|percentage = 3.03%

|change = +3.03%

}}

{{Election box total|

|votes = 279,412

|percentage = 100.00%

|change =

}}

References

External links

{{CongBio|P000513}}
{{C-SPAN|327}}
[http://www.larrypressler.com/ Larry Pressler's website]
[http://ballotpedia.org/Larry_Pressler Biography] at Ballotpedia
[http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Larry_Pressler.htm Issue positions and quotes] at On the Issues

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Dakota's 1st congressional district|years=1975–1979}}

{{s-ttl|title=Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from South Dakota
(Class 2)|years=1978, 1984, 1990, 1996}}