ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) The Republican candidate for South Dakota's lone seat in the U.S. House says Iraq and an overblown federal government are the biggest problems facing the nation.

Chris Lien (LEEN) of Rapid City has no G-O-P competition yet.

He's hoping to defeat Democratic Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin.

Lien says the U.S. needs to develop a plan to stay in Iraq "not forever, but for as long as it takes." And he says much of the federal government's power needs to be given back to the states.

Lien is a lawyer. He's also an officer in a family-owned mining and manufacturing business.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 03-13-08 0852CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list