Is district 20 going to be “the” hotbed for elections in 2008?
Dave Kranz writes about district 20, an area which I’ve written on a couple of times before. With a primary possibly already in the wings, as well as the return of a veteran legislator on the other side, is the stage being set for the battleground to watch for the fight of 2008?
Says Vehle: “I am weighing all my options and will continue to do that. An open seat presents an opportunity, but I also enjoy the House.”
and..
There also is a good possibility that Joe Graves, superintendent of Mitchell Public Schools, will figure in the Republican equation. He thought about running as a Republican for the Legislature a couple of years ago but did not enter the race. He is sorting out a possible candidacy again, setting November or December as a deadline to decide. That decision process also will include which body he will run for.
and…Another Republican interested in Ed Olson’s job is Steve Sibson, a Mitchell Toshiba worker who also runs a conservative blog.
“I plan on pulling petitions for both the House and the Senate next year. I will be talking to constituents as to whether I should run for the House or the Senate. I want to be a representative of all of the people, so I want to hear where they think I can serve them best,” Sibson said.
With control of the Senate a major factor, Democrats aren’t about to roll over and forfeit this race. Their powerful candidate in this race would be Mel Olson, a Mitchell educator, former state senator and former member of the House. He knows about the political stakes but says he is a long way from making up his mind.
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Comments
Steve Sibson, afraid to commit to a race for an open senate seat. Waiting to see what everyone else does first. Blaming his indecision on the fact constitutents haven’t told him what to run for yet. waffle waffle waffle
Look at the article on the Argus’s website. Kranz classifies as “toss-ups” two seats that will be open due to term limits: Brock Greenfield’s seat in District 6, and Mac McCracken’s seat in District 34. These both seem like SLAM DUNK safe GOP seats – particularly the Greenfield seat, which has been GOP for over four decades. I don’t think the Dems have ever come close to beating either of these guys (except for Greenfield’s original victory in 2000).
District 6 has at least 3 or 4 Republicans lining up for a run for Greenfield’s position. I do not think the GOP will have a problem. Like the previous commenter said, it was 2000 the last time a Democrat put up a decent race for that seat.
Just about spurted Dr. Pepper out my nose when I read this:
““I plan on pulling petitions for both the House and the Senate next year. I will be talking to constituents as to whether I should run for the House or the Senate. I want to be a representative of all of the people, so I want to hear where they think I can serve them best,” Sibson said.”
Steve will even represent Democrats? Independents? Non-Christians? Liberals? People who can spell? People who don’t cut and paste?
I couldn’t have been more surprised if I had woke up with my Schaff glued to the carpeting after I read that.
Sounds like Steve will have to be, dare we say it–more moderate–if he plans to be so open minded?
Perish the thought. I want the full bore, unadulterated, take no prisoners Sibby running in District 20. Establishing a theocracy is uncompromising work. This isn’t the time to be so weak and promise to represent “all the people.” Only the Chosen of Davison County deserve the representation of someone of Steve’s great intellect and philosophical purity.
I needed a good laugh today. Thanks, Pat.
4 – District 6 has been represented by a Republican in the Senate at least since 1967. I was once told that no Democrat has represented that general area (the district subtly changes) since Statehood, but I haven’t verified that.
I have to agree with #4. Just because the District 6 senate seat will be open doesn’t make it a toss up. Art Fryslie or PP’s favorite blogger Kristi Noem would be tough to beat in a senate race in that district.
Does Kranz know something the rest of us don’t know? Who would the Dems run for the seat?
PS: The Secretary of State’s website puts District 6’s unofficial voter registration as of 9/4/07 at:
7,312 R’s
5,103 D’s
1,473 Independents
112 Const/Lib/Other
Strong GOP advantage there. Anything can happen, but …
Here are my thoughts in District 6:
In 2000, Doug Kamerask (don’t remember how to spell that) was sort of the favorite against Brock Greenfield for that Senate seat. Prior to that, the seat had been held by Randy Frederick for 8 years and before than Poppen for like thirty. Brock won in 2000 in an upset, but hasn’t been seriously challenged since – he easily beat Charlie Flowers in 2002.
Unless there is a strong Democratic challenger I am unaware of, I think this seat is easily going to stay GOP – whether the candidate is Kristi Noem, Fryslie, or someone else.
Does anyone know if Greenfield plans to go over to the House? I haven’t heard.
5: “Sounds like Steve will have to be, dare we say it–more moderate–if he plans to be so open minded?”
How come standing for traditional American principles is not considered “moderate” Todd? I can’t get anymore moderate. It is you and the far-left GOP secularists that agree with your abandonment of American principles who are the extremists.
When are we going to have a discussion on the Bibilcal Christian worldview of our Founding Fathers versus the secular humanist worldview of 80% of the Democrats and 30% of the Republicans? Todd is too simple minded to have that discussion. He would rather resort to personal attacks as he whines about others for personal attacks.
Steve:
Where do I send my contribution to your campaign.? I can’t wait to see it begin! What fun it will be!
Todd
Hold the campaign donation for now Todd. Steve Sibson is still waiting for the constituents to tell him what to run for. Since he wants to represent all of the people, the secular humanists (Democrats, independents, Republicans – everyone) will have to weigh in.
Where do you think the secular humanists will tell Sibby that he can serve them best?
Sibby’s a waffler. He’s afraid to run. He will not run. It will be someone else’s fault.
I would bet Greenfield will go to the House. Why not? He will probably just swap seats with Noem or Nielsen
13: I don’t want your money Todd. I want your attention. You have refused to have a discussion regarding worldviews on your web site, my web site, and now this web site. What is you problem…cat got your brain.
I’m still waiting for Sibby to explain why he’s not a scared waffler when he refuses to commit to run for an open senate seat – but he refuses to have a discussion because what, the … worms got your brain?
It doesn’t get any better than an open seat, Sibby. Some decisive leader you are, waiting for people to tell you what to do when the choice is obvious.
District 20 will not be a hotbed if Mel Olson gets into the race. Against any challenger, Mel will win by a 10 point + margin.