Another Democrat trying to cash in on his political dynasty
While we’re intimately familiar with a recent case of family political dynasty building, in today’s dead tree edition of the Rapid City Journal, Kevin Woster writes about another Democrat who is doing his best to tie himself to a family political dynasty for a future run at political office in South Dakota:
First,the disclaimer: Matt McGovern isn’t running for anything. At least, not yet. But with a name like that,a guy has to run sooner or later,doesn’t he?
The 37-year-old grandson of former South Dakota Sen.George McGovern isn’t saying.
and…
Matt McGovern is running the RePower South Dakota part of the campaign with a firm-but-subdued rhetorical style reminiscent of his grandfather.He also is building a public platform that could be wider than the energy issue in the future, if he chooses to use it.
That seems like a reasonable possibility for the young lawyer who grew up in Milwaukee as the son of George and Eleanor McGovern’s daughter, Susan,and her husband, James Rowen. A professional consultant these days, Rowen worked as a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter,served as chief of staff to the mayor of Milwaukee and ran for mayor himself in 1979.
James Rowen lost in a closely contested campaign that included an entertaining moment when his 7-year-old son refused to shake hands when introduced to the opposing candidate. Of course, Matt McGovern — who dropped the hyphenated half of McGovern-Rowen several years ago —has developed a more diplomatic style during the last 30 years.
He’s been shaking lots of opposing hands in energy policy debates. And his name now pops up as one of the few vaguely mentioned as possible Democratic challengers against formidable incumbent Republican U.S.Sen. John Thune next year.
Read it eventually in the Rapid City Journal’s website, or pick up the dead tree edition today.
Okay, let me see if I can get the story straight on this possible Democratic Challenger to US Senator John Thune.
- He’s currently involved in promoting a measure (cap and tax) that according to the Public Utilities commission will raise our utility bills 40-50%
- He’s lived in SD how long? 1, maybe 2 years now?
- And he’s going by his Mom’s maiden name because of the connection to his famous grandfather.
Please. Let him be the candidate Democrats bring.
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Comments
what a joke. he changed his name to “McGovern”? does the hackery and cynicism of Democrats know no bounds?
Heidepriem needs to answer for this rampant nepotism in the Democratic Party in south dakota: Herseth, Brendan the Wonder Boy, and now Acid/Abortion/Amnesty’s grandson
And R. Blake Curd is an acceptable candidate because he’s lived in South Dakota, what, 8 years? I guess the statute of limitations for “outsider-ship” lies somewhere in that range. Good to know….
Cap and trade, climate change as pushed by Repower, Gore’s little political machine, is a hoax, and sooner or later that will be proven. Then where will Matt McGovern-Rowen be? Hopefully a little smarter. BTW, I don’t think Curd moved to SD simply for politics. My guess is that it was to practice medicine. What does McGovern do here besides run Repower?
Back in my day, and which was also Sen. McGovern’s day, a boy took his daddy’s name. What is wrong with this young man?
Anon 928, you don’t know beans about Dusty! This guy won’t make a blem on Dusty’s behinder. In looking at SD voting for Stephie cause she is so darned purty and TJ because he is just so darned detirmined, I am not so sure a longing for the good ol days might not bring some votes for Rowen who most likely wouldn’t make a blem on grampa’s backside. God help us if we get much more of this kind of empathy.
Earlier this year I saw Mat McGovern debate Cap & Trade against Rep. Todd Schlekeway. It was not even close. McGovern didn’t have a chance. Schlekeway took care of business!
I think John Thune would rellish taking on Matt McGovern!
In fairness to Mr McGovern-Rowen, he has lived in South Dakota as an adult longer than COngresswoman Herseth-Sandlin. That’s something like 24 months vs 18 months. Corey, at least you really are from here and made the decision as an adult to raise your family here. What’s with the shortage of real South Dakotans in the Dem stable? Maybe we could give you Volk, and a player to be named later 
the Democrats have a nepotism problem in this state. how long before Daschle’s son runs for something?
You guys sound like a bunch of crybabies. Apparently it’s an honorable thing for a man to follow in his father’s footsteps if it’s taking over a ranch, but if it’s carrying on with their father/grandfathers politics its dirty pool. Why was it an ok thing when George Bush Jr. entered politics? You don’t think he got a little step up because of who his daddy was? And what’s up with mocking him for his name, apparently he wants to identify with his mother’s side of the family. It’s not like George McGovern isn’t really his grandpa. Don’t all you grandpa’s out there claim your daughters children? PP, don’t you plan on being just as involved in your daughters’ kids as your sons? You guys are looking for reasons to whine – and they’re weak reasons, they belittle you.
Let’s see. Gov. George T. Mickelson begat Gov. George S. Mickelson. Both were Republicans. Both stood on their own merits. So what’s the problem, my young Republican friends?
Todd David Roosevelt nee’ Epp
George T. didn’t give George S. a job as US attorney.
And he didn’t have to change his name in a stretch to make the connection.
What was Gerald Ford’s real name?
What was Bush sub2’s real home?
Women can drop or add hyphenated names. I’m not sure why he changed his name, but “McGovern-Rowen” might be tough to get on bumper stickers.
Maybe this complex issue should be referred to Frank Kloucek. It would fit right in with the curriculum you presented.
Doug – his real name was Leslie King — did I win? If you make it to Nick’s for the hunt, I’ll tell you my story about why I know that and how my great-uncle – a much tougher democrat than you – pimped me in that regard.
PS for the rest who wonder why – his mother remarried when he was young and he took his step-father’s last name — I have no idea why Leslie became Gerald in the adoption.
Lee –
Allegedly, his real dad beat on his mom, and smartly when he threatened her with a butcher’s knife, she took off. When she remarried, the very young son borne of the first marriage was given his new (step)dad’s name.
I suspect its a lot different than young Mr. McGovern-Rowen, who is doing it for political gain.
He’s got the 5th commandment only 1/2 right.