A day after announcing she is pregnant, Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, D-S.D., said she wants to serve at least one more term in Congress and is putting off a decision on her future in public service until 2009.

In a conference call on Thursday, she said the election in November and the baby’s arrival in December will be factors in what she does in two years.

“But it’s pretty premature to be thinking about 2010 in my opinion,” she said.

Herseth Sandlin and her husband, Max, are expecting their first child together in late December. Sandlin, a former Texas congressman, has four children from a previous marriage.

She was asked if the fact she will become a mother at the end of the year might make it more likely she will run for governor in 2010 rather than seek another term in Washington, D.C.

The baby’s arrival will be a primary factor in her decision in how best to serve South Dakota, she answered.

But she also said she doesn’t want to be looking at an election cycle that is still two years away when she is facing one in three months. Challenging her in November is Chris Lien, a Rapid City Republican.

Herseth Sandlin, 37, said she wants to serve at least one more term in Congress to build on the work she has being doing. She has served since 2004.

She also said coming home and making a run for governor is a possibility in her future.

“I would never rule it out,” she said.

Based on feedback from constituents, she said she believes South Dakotans are pleased with her work in Congress on behalf of the state. She said she appreciates the encouragement she is receiving to consider serving the state in another capacity.

“I will take peoples’ advice and insights as to where I can be the most effective for South Dakota in 2010,” Herseth Sandlin said. “It will be a difficult decision but one I don’t want to make until after the end of the year.”

She said she doesn’t think her pregnancy will affect her ability to campaign around the state later this summer and into the fall, when she wants to make the case on why she’s running again.

“I’ve been feeling great,” she said.

Herseth Sandlin has agreed to four debates so far — at Dakotafest in Mitchell in August as well as three television debates in October. She said Congress will be in session in September so it will be difficult to accept any invitations to debate Lien that month.

Meanwhile, a reporter asked her if she knows whether she’s having a boy or a girl. She said no, but will know in a week or two.

She was jokingly asked if it will be a Democrat or a Republican.

“The little baby will get to decide for him or herself,” she said, laughing.