DELL RAPIDS, S.D. (KELO.com) – The first Democrat to officially challenge Republican Senator Mike Rounds in 2020 will be former state lawmaker Dan Ahlers in Dell Rapids.

He says he’s beaten long odds many times before.

Ahlers says South Dakota needs more effective leadership in Washington on education, trade and healthcare issues.

Ahlers says he’s not your typical Democrat, having run a successful business for 20 years.