What’s missing from the Sutton announcement and website? One Word: Democrat

Pat Powers

Hmm…  what’s missing from this press release issued today for State Senator Billie Sutton’s entrance into the race for Governor of South Dakota?:

Senator Billie Sutton Announces for South Dakota Governor

BURKE, S.D. – Today on his family’s ranch overlooking the Missouri River in rural Burke, South Dakota, Senate Minority Leader Billie Sutton announced his candidacy for Governor of South Dakota.

Senator Sutton, a fifth generation South Dakotan and term-limited District 21 State Senator, said he is running for Governor to put his South Dakota values of hard work, honesty, and integrity to work for the people of South Dakota.

Senator Sutton said that making his announcement for Governor from his family’s ranch was important because of the values he was raised with and the ranch’s connection to his life story.

Senator Sutton said, “I look around this ranch – a business and way of life my parents built with their blood, sweat, tears, and hard work, and I see the values that make us South Dakotans: rugged individualists with a heart for our community and neighbors, a never-say-quit attitude, and a desire to build a better life for each generation to come.”

Senator Sutton was raised a rodeo cowboy on the ranch. He had a successful college and professional rodeo career, making it to the top 30 in the world in the professional ranks. However, Sutton’s rodeo career was cut short in October 2007 when he was paralyzed in a rodeo accident.

Senator Sutton recounted, “My horse flipped over in the chute, and I was instantly paralyzed. My life changed forever in that moment– but I know deep down it’s more important to live by God’s plan for my life than it is to live by my own plan.”

Senator Sutton said that during his recovery, “It felt as though the entire state of South Dakota was behind me. Now is my time to give back to the state I love.”

“My wife Kelsea and I are raising our family, and we want to ensure that all South Dakotans can live the South Dakota dream of having a good-paying job, a great quality of life, a world-class education, in a state that helps every person live up to their God-given potential.” Sutton said.

Senator Sutton also laid out his vision for South Dakota in his announcement speech at the Sutton Ranch.

“I believe in a South Dakota where every person can get a world-class education and job with a good wage that provides the opportunity to build a better future for their family. If you are willing to work hard, you should be able to get ahead in South Dakota.”

“I believe in a South Dakota where our state government is as honest and hardworking as our people. We deserve better than what the establishment in Pierre has let happen to our state, and as our next Governor I’m going to change the culture of corruption.”

“I also believe in a South Dakota where we embrace our ag economy and our rural way of life. Our entire state, rural and urban, is impacted by the strength of our ag economy. Whan ag struggles, South Dakota struggles. When ag is strong, South Dakota is strong,” Senator Sutton said.

Sutton also told the crowd at the announcement that he will travel the state and listen to the issues facing people in their local communities.

“No one person has all the answers, and no political party has a monopoly on good ideas. I believe together we can find the answers and solve the problems facing our state,” Sutton proclaimed.

Senator Sutton resides in his hometown of Burke, SD. He still rides horses and has a cattle operation with his family. Senator Sutton formerly served as manager of a local Hay Association where he marketed hay across the country for area farmers. Sutton has worked as an investment executive for First Fidelity Bank, a small community bank, since August 2010.

Sutton was elected to the State Senate in 2010 and is now in his fourth term. He is the current Senate Minority Leader, serving in that role since 2014.

Senator Sutton is married to Kelsea Kenzy Sutton, an attorney with First Fidelity Bank and County Commissioner in Gregory County. Billie and Kelsea also have a young son named Liam.

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It’s missing a word.

How are Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether and Billie Sutton alike?  Neither one wants to be identified as a Democrat.  

In fact, “Democrat” is also very conspicuously missing from his campaign website. Nowhere on the website is his party affiliation noted.

In fact, by mentioning it in the title, and twice in the paragraph above, I’ve now written it three more times in this post than Billie Sutton has in his entire website.

Kind of interesting, don’t you think?

25 thoughts on “What’s missing from the Sutton announcement and website? One Word: Democrat”

    1. Gov Wollman was governor, but he assumed the post after Gov Kneip resigned after his nomination to be the Ambassador of Singapore.

  5. Distancing himself may be a good move on his part politically. Given the relatively negative perception of national Dems in SD by voters. But he also has a steep challege to unite dem base appeal to ind’s and moderate rep’s and turn out strong. Tough to imagine how that would all work.

  6. Whether distancing himself from the SDDP is good politically or not, what does it say about the SDDP when their top two elected officials do it?

    Huether left the party.

    Sutton pretends he is nominated by himself.

    Anybody know if Spence Harley is still a Democrat?

  7. When our state can start looking beyond party lines that is when true growth will happen. I think Sutton would make a great Governor based off his integrity and his willingness to focus on Education. Education is going to be a critical challenge for SD these next few years. If we keep prioritizing other areas I fear our excellent teacher base and future potential stars are going to leave for surrounding states. This will ultimately have a negative impact on our communities and our children’s future potential. We have to get past the: “It was good enough for me.” mentality when it comes to our children’s education.

    2. Randy: We have to get past the: “It was good enough for me.” mentality when it comes to our children’s education.

      Kinda explains why you lost. We are all schmucks and you are enlightened.

  8. Donald Trump was a democrat who changed into a Republican in order to win his race, so I think over analyzing the use of a word is a waste of time.

  9. So the only criticism is he didn’t label himself. So you are going to slap a label on him and point your finger? Sad.

  10. Marty and Kristi don’t mention their party, either. They’re all in cahoots!

      1. And then I did – as noted in the other thread (what’s with all the threads, anyway? Can’t you keep your thoughts collected in one place rather than smear it all out over several posts? One might get the idea you’re puffing content, or making mountains out of molehills) – I did see it on Marty’s page. Still holding out for Kristi. Also, will you be saying the same thing once the campaign commercials start en masse and about all the candidates who “fail” to mention party affiliation? Or do you think it’s absolutely necessary to make sure the rah-rah-go-team-party-label is on every bit of campaign material?

        In any case, I’m fairly certain Mr. Sutton isn’t ‘running’ or ‘hiding’ from anything. People who are interested in the race at this point in SD are certain of who’s batting for which team.

          1. So “no comment” on holding all candidates to the same standard of having their party affiliation on all campaign materials? Why or why not?

            1. I don’t think Pat has ever claimed to be a journalist. Not that journalism has any integrity. This is a right leaning blog. He holds no punches about his leanings. Honest analysis from a conservative perspective. Not complicated really.

  11. Considering South Dakotans have just been checking the name with an R next to it regardless of the name or positions of the candidate for decades, maybe he’s just trying to get his name and vision out there first before being put in a box by..people…like….you…

    1. Or the vision and chaos in the democrat ranks screams incompetence. The far left Bernie-Clinton people are running the asylum. Can’t imagine why democrats can’t break 30 percent on a state ballot. Keep your focus on ballot initiatives why republicans win. Great strategy. Keep listening to Weilands. I love it ha

    2. I’ve always thought adding more periods makes a statement…. more….. dramatic……….. too….

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