Prosecutor Job in Jerauld County Subject of Lawsuits

WESSINGTON SPRINGS, S.D. (AP) - The state's attorney in eastern South Dakota's Jerauld County is refusing to leave office despite losing the election last year.

The Daily Republic newspaper reports that Casey Bridgman lost the Republican primary election last June to Dedrich Koch, who was unopposed in the November general election.

Koch also won the state's attorney position in Buffalo County, which he relinquished before being sworn into office in Jerauld County on Monday. Bridgman has maintained that it was illegal for Koch to run for more than one public office.

Bridgman filed a lawsuit Monday, and Koch has filed a counter suit. Koch says the county "is in limbo" until a judge decides who should hold the office.

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