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10 Questions with… State Senate Candidate Elli Schwiesow

I’d promised that I had a 10 questions feature coming up, and it’s here.

Elli Schwiesow has been a two, now three time candidate for the District 32 State Senate race. In 2004, she was narrowly eked out in the contest by then State Representative Stan Adelstein for the Senate primary. In 2006, after reversing her previous fortunes, and winning the Republican primary election, her opponent Stan Adelstein crossed over the aisle to support the Democratic opponent Tom Katus.

At the time, many thought that 2006 would mark the final attempt for Elli for the Senate seat. But just a few months ago, word started filtering out that something might be in the works. And soon thereafter, Elli rocked the political world not just by entering the race, but by her decision to forgo the primary process and offer candidates “a head to head to head choice” by running as an independent candidate in the contest.

So what’s behind the scenes in the race? Let’s find out with 10 Questions with… State Senate Candidate Elli Schwiesow 

Elli, at least in the public eye, you kept a low profile after your defeat in the 2006 general election. What have you been keeping yourself busy with over the course of the last year-and-a-half?

We have a large, wonderful family. Joel and I have been married for 38 years. We have 5 biological children, 2 foster children (from Africa ), one wonderful son-in-law, three wonderful daughter-in-laws and soon to be 11 grandchildren. Most of our children and  grandchildren live, work and go to school in Rapid City. Rapid City has been a wonderful place to raise and educate our family. Our family includes nurses, teachers, a daycare provider, a beautician and business owners.

Family events and school events, which I enjoy so much, can keep one’s calendar full. I have continued to do some volunteer work in schools and in the community. I am a bit of an artist and clothes designer and helped with sewing for several weddings. My husband and I like to travel and we took several extended trips; one to the Mediterranean area and another to the Yucatan Peninsula. Finally we had wanted to down-size our living space so we moved last summer to a smaller home which we are in the process of remodeling. Life has been busy, fruitful and exciting.

Had you won, you would have certainly had a different agenda than Senator Katus. What legislation did we miss out on by electing Tom Katus?

I am particularly interested in the health insurance crisis that affects the entire nation not just South Dakota. I know the legislature is studying the issue but I am concerned about the pace of the study and what information is being gathered and who is giving input. We have an over-regulated heath care delivery system and patchwork of solutions for those who either can not afford insurance or have a “pre-existing” condition that denies them access to the system. I have some questions that will need to be addressed if we are to see any real improvement. I would have lobbied the Republican Senate leadership to pass HB1233 as I believe that all government finances should be open and transparent. I hold an elementary education degree. As an educator I will look at realistic reforms to public education, like reducing the amount of money spent in the bureaucracy of education and encouraging that 65% of education funding be allocated to the class room.

Your entrance as an independent into the District 32 State Senate race was not expected, and dropped a lot of jaws. What brought you to a decision to run?

I had thought about this for many months, although I discussed it with no one but my husband. It was neither a quick decision nor an easy decision but I feel it is the right decision. I was influenced by no one although many folks had voiced concerns to me that District 32 had no conservative candidate to vote for in the November election.

I researched the Secretary of State’s website and I made a special trip to Pierre on May 16th to ask my final questions. It was important to me that I need not change my party registration to run as an Independent. My other question was “Would there be a run-off of the top two candidates after the November 4th election?” The answer was, “No, it is a winner take all” scenario. I would not have taken out petitions that day if the top two would face off again two weeks later in a run-off. That would be too much like 2006. This will be a three way race. I knew from the start that I would not, could not, have any official backing from the Republican Party, but for the most part, most have been respectful of my decision and some very encouraging.

Independents are not generally favored in South Dakota political contests, yet this election - through accident or design - there are two known Republicans running that way, yourself and Senator Tom Dempster. How does your strategy for this type of race differ from running under a party banner?

Your reference to Senator Dempster who had an “accident” in his petition filing; is interesting and has happened in the past.

Lt. Governor Carol Hillard won her House primary some years ago due to a petition “glitch” by her opposition who happened to be the incumbent at the time. The political process lends itself to many interesting twists and turns. Some say, “All is fair in love, war and politics”. I don’t know if that’s true or not. I do know that I am an honest, fair and respectful person. I tend to be “up-front” and” commonsense” in all my dealings. I love people and want to serve and represent the folks in my district. That’s what this race is all about; who can serve and represent the best. I don’t believe that constitutes a different strategy.

After actively supporting Democrats last election, as well as floating a trial balloon to flirt with being the Democratic Lt. Governor pick, Stan Adelstein is now calling himself “the true Republican” in the race. Your history with the GOP is long and storied, having worked for many campaigns, and serving in many offices from the grassroots on up, yet you’re on the outside this election as an Independent. Between yourself and Adelstein, where are the GOP volunteers and activists lining up?

I have not solicited any new volunteers. I do not want to take any GOP volunteers away from the work that needs to be done. Having said that I am communicating with the many people who have either called to volunteer, helped me in the past or signed my petition. Many are not Republican and some are new to the political process. I am so appreciative of their willingness to help. Each person must decide where their allegiance lies and where their time is best spent.

It is true, in the past; I could call myself a “platform” Republican. I have served on the State Republican Platform committee for many past conventions. I stand on each of the “planks” or statements made in these documents. In 2000 I was appointed by Governor Janklow to serve on the National Platform committee at the convention in Philadelphia . It was a wonderful experience. The South Dakota Republican Platform and the National Republican Platform are very reflective of each other and I can still support them since I remain a commonsense conservative.

Last election, former GOP State Director Patrick Davis consulted on your race. Are you using a consultant again this year, or are you going it alone?

I am pretty much going it alone. I learned so much from Patrick Davis in 2006. He has been a consultant for many national campaigns. He’s the best, in my humble opinion. I’m not sure why he helped with a “little” state district race like mine but I am using the many concepts that he taught me. I have not “paid” anyone, as yet, for advice, but I would not hesitate to do so if I felt that I needed some professional input. I have a few close folks that helped and advised me in the past. I usually run my ideas past them and my husband who is very politically astute and refreshingly blunt.

Okay. Let’s get down to the opening salvo in the contest, the one that reverberated statewide. As I understand it, the GOP opened a West River office, and publicly invited Republicans (which you are still registered as) to show up. I’m told you brought cookies and cake, and Stan Adelstein’s response was to kick you out of the place, because he’s renting it to the party.

First, is that an accurate account of the events? And second, is there that much bad blood between Stan and yourself that he won’t accept your presence at party events along with your baked goods?

I want to be very clear on this point. There is no “bad blood”, no “animosity”, no “hard feelings”, no “axe to grind” on my part towards either candidate. I only have respect for both. Yes, everyone was invited to the West River Open House, an open invitation had been issued at the Republican Women’s noon luncheon earlier that week.

I have opened many campaign offices. It’s hard work. Fix-up and painting needs to be done, furniture needs to be carried in, and supplies and equipment purchased. The most difficult and challenging campaign office that I opened was in Pine Ridge where we were campaigning for John Thune in 2004. I love a challenge and I loved being and living in Pine Ridge during that time, meeting the wonderful folks across the reservation and being a part of that community.

During elections emotions can run very high. The morning of the West River Open House I was out grocery shopping quite early as it was our wedding anniversary and I was planning a special supper. I went by the cake decorating department and the thought popped into my mind that I should take a decorated congratulatory cake, some crackers and cheese and drop them off at the Republican office as an encouragement.

I did not go as a candidate and I was dressed in blue jeans and a sweatshirt not expecting to find much of a crowd there, getting people to show up for the opening of a campaign office is akin to pulling teeth. I regret the disturbance that I made. It was an embarrassment for those there and it tends to give politics a bad name.

Do you consider this a contest between two of the people in the race, with one the odd person out (and if so, who), or is this going to be a close three way race the entire way?

I truly believe that this is a contest between three people. I believe it is going to be a close three-way race and I’m excited to be apart of it. Each of us brings our OWN perspectives, our own ideas, and our own PHILOSOPHY. I would stress that I am a still a conservative, a commonsense conservative and in that respect, I believe I differ from my opponents. My only incentive as a candidate in this race is to serve and represent the folks in District 32 - that includes everyone, be they Independent, Democrat, Republican or a non-registered party. I am a good listener and a consensus builder. I think I will serve well.

The only criticism I’ve heard over you running is that it will dilute the GOP vote, allowing Katus to win. However, in your favor, others say that Adelstein and Katus will split the liberal voters, allowing you to hold a solid conservative block. What do you have to say to your critics on this topic, as well as your supporters?

I have carefully looked over the numbers from past elections, both primaries and generals. I feel there is a good chance that I will win or I would not be in the race. I am working hard and am willing to mount a challenging race. I have been met with encouragement and kindness on the campaign trail. I am willing to take the time and knock on doors. I am trying to learn folk’s names, their concerns and how I can best serve them in Pierre .

As a former Vice-Chair of the State GOP, as well as former Chair of South Dakota Republican Women, what comments would you have to offer on the state of the party - and how does the state of the party affect your own election?

Elections, both primary and generals, on both a local and national level are a time to discuss, debate and challenge ideas. Our nation is being pulled in many directions. Health care, education, gas prices, the economy are on the front page of newspapers daily and are an open debate on every news channel. Republicans have a variety of solutions as well as Democrats.

Here in South Dakota we enjoy a wonderful quality of life but these issues also affect us greatly. I very much enjoyed my time serving in various positions in the South Dakota Republican party. I tried to make contributions while serving in the party. Now, I want to serve the people and have the opportunity to help resolve those issues which most affect us. Some say politics is the great art of compromise but I would say it’s also standing on one’s principals while respecting others differences. I hope to be an elected person who truly serves the people of the district I represent.

As always, Elli shows why she’s a classy lady and has the respect of many people, even those who might disagree with her. Elli - thank you very much for your thoughts on the race.
I would note that the same opportunity to do a “10 questions with…” was also extended to both Stan Adelstein as well as Tom Katus, but I haven’t heard back from either one of them to date.

For those interested in supporting Elli’s candidacy,  you can visit her website at elliforsenate.net.

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