The brightening of Republicans’ political prospects has lured another candidate into the race against Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-S.D.) and could prompt more entries going forward.

South Dakota House Assistant Majority Leader Kristi Noem will announce her plans to run for Congress on Tuesday night in Pierre, her campaign said in a news release.

“The people of South Dakota are best served when their representative has the same goals, experiences, and work ethic as they do,” Noem said in a statement. “My experiences as a wife, mother, farmer, rancher, small business owner, and South Dakotan have taught me foundational truths that will ensure I will remain steadfast in my resolve to do the people’s will.”

Noem joins South Dakota Secretary of State Chris Nelson and state Rep. Blake Curd in the GOP contest.

The National Republican Congressional Committee has been impressed enough with Curd to put him in the first tier of its “Young Guns” program for promising recruits.

Buzz is also growing around a possible candidacy by popular term-limited Gov. Mike Rounds (R). Rounds left the door slightly ajar in a recent interview with the local Argus Leader.

“My plan is to go back to my business,” he wrote in an e-mail. “Do I plan to make a change to my existing plans? Not at this time.”

The South Dakota primary is June 8.