A Personal Statement from
Monae L. Johnson, South Dakota Secretary of State:
Why I Am Supporting Terrence Davis
A personal statement on judgment, competence, and the future of the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office
“This office is too important to entrust to someone simply because of the letter beside that person’s name.”
After considerable reflection, I am personally endorsing Terrence Davis to serve as South Dakota’s next Secretary of State.
I am a Republican. Terrence is a Democrat. I understand that this decision will disappoint some people in my party and anger others. After serving in the Secretary of State’s Office for more than a decade, first as an employee and now as Secretary, I know the difference between campaigning for this office and carrying the responsibility of leading it.
My responsibility is to the people of South Dakota. I cannot remain silent when I believe the integrity, stability, and professionalism of this office is at stake.
My time in this office has taught me that election administration cannot be reduced to a single issue or a single proposal. The Secretary of State must consider the law, the information available, the effect on county officials, the security of statewide systems, the rights of voters, the cost and workload created by a change, and whether the proposal can be implemented within the deadlines the law requires. It also requires a willingness to review new information and change course when the evidence supports doing so.
The next Secretary of State will inherit statewide election and business systems, statutory deadlines, county relationships, technology projects, contracts, employees, public records responsibilities, and the administration of numerous state laws. Those responsibilities will exist on the first day in office regardless of what was said during the campaign, and the person elected will be responsible for making the office work for every South Dakotan who relies on it.
I believe voters should review the three candidates’ records, the legislation and policies they have supported, their professional backgrounds, and what their proposals would require in practice. There are significant differences between the candidates in this contest, and the public record gives South Dakotans the information they need to examine those differences for themselves.
Terrence Davis comes to this contest with a different professional background. He has experience in law enforcement and public service, earned a degree in Criminal Justice, later pursued a master’s degree in public policy, and is currently pursuing doctoral studies in Law and Policy. He has publicly identified transparency, voting rights, and making government systems work for the people who use them as priorities of his candidacy.
Those areas have a direct connection to the work of the Secretary of State’s Office. This office deals with South Dakota law every day and requires the Secretary to understand statutes, administer deadlines, work with attorneys and local officials, oversee statewide systems, respond to public-record requirements, manage employees and contracts, and make decisions affecting voters, candidates, businesses, political committees, and county governments. Election administration is only one part of the job. Business Services administers the filings and records South Dakota businesses rely on, including business registrations, annual reports, UCC and EFS filings, and fictitious names. General Services carries its own statewide responsibilities, including notary commissions, apostilles and authentications, lobbyist registrations, and concealed pistol permit records. Those functions affect businesses, lenders, public officials, and citizens every day, and they demand the same accuracy, reliable systems, responsive service, and sound administration that elections require.
South Dakota deserves a Secretary of State who will strengthen confidence through performance rather than provocation; who will support election officials rather than burden them for political effect; who will protect voter access and election security without pretending those goals are enemies; and who will treat the office’s employees, voters, candidates, and business owners with dignity.
I have spent more than a decade in this office. I have carried its responsibilities, defended its people, learned from its challenges, and worked to leave it stronger. With that experience, and with full understanding of what this endorsement may cost me, I believe Terrence Davis is the candidate best prepared to protect the office and serve South Dakota with seriousness, steadiness, and integrity.
That is why I am asking South Dakotans, Republicans, Democrats, and Libertarians, independents, and everyone in between, to look beyond the letter beside a candidate’s name, examine the record and the temperament of the candidates seeking this responsibility, and vote for Terrence Davis for Secretary of State.
Monae L. Johnson
South Dakota Secretary of State
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This is a personal political statement. Not an official statement or endorsement of the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office.
The winds, they are a-shifting. Props to Sec Johnson for this.
UPSHOT: not a slam on the GOP, this is a direct shot at the Freedom Caucus wingnuts using the usual state convention trickery to put a woefully unqualified puppet Heather Baxter as the GOP Secretary of State candidate. Even though she herself was placed in office by the same trick, Monae has worked to provide stability and excellence. Her recommendation of Democrat Davis in this race is more of that same excellence.
That takes courage, resolve, and a backbone of steel to put the good of the state ahead of petty partisan politics especially when you know the Godzilla-sized toddlerific tantrum that will be coming from the kooky far right, whose true beliefs are only in their own delusions of self-righteousness (really, the only real “right” ness they possess). Well done, Monae.
Monae probably wouldn’t want to be associated with your bitterness.
You think a poster pointing out the bad behavior of a group of people is “bitter?” Interesting take.
The comment at 9:11 predicts bad behavior but doesn’t point any out. I’m on the political far right, and it seems bitter when someone suggests I’m kooky, delusional, and toddlerific.
If you aren’t saying mean things about Monae based on her statement, then feel free to not consider yourself self-righteous or toddlerific.
If you aren’t saying mean things about the “kooky far right,” feel free to not consider yourself bitter.
It’s not bitter to call out inappropriate behavior. And a track record of calling people names simply for not agreeing with some narrow philosophy and things like “praying for people’s demise” because they don’t agree with you — are examples of toddlerific and kooky behavior. My advice — if the truth hurts — just say ouch.
I’m not the one suggesting people who disagree with my philosophy are kooks and toddlers.
But South Dakota’s far right is nuts. You all have accused people of stealing electiins, molesting kids, and tried to get the South Dakota national guard to shoot down civilian aircraft. Where were your calls for less bitterness and divisiom then? Or are you now calling for change because your faction is on the ropes after burning every bridge with the American people that you possess?
I’m not nuts, I’ve never tried to get the guard to shoot down civilian aircraft, and I was calling for change long before South Dakota’s far right was on the ropes.
Don’t think we didnt notice the stuff you refused to respond to.
I didn’t refuse to respond to anything.
Terrence is professional and open minded. Baxter is not. It’s that simple
The Republican convention keeps nominating less than qualified people. Until that changes, Democrats become an attractive alternative.
Every far right yard in McPherson Co (including those of the county gop executive board) have Frank for PUC signs…. So no Baxter fan should be surprised…. Let’s go Davis and Haggar!!
McCrazy Co want candidates that will ignore the law and govern on ideology and emotion.
No to the long time Koch Bros operative. Yes on Davis and Frank.
Sounds a lot like Democrats.
Very well written and to the point. SD deserves a well rounded, professional Sec. of State who won’t politicize the office. Baxter is a known unknown, whose past statements and votes show just how far right she is. If elected, she will be spending a lot of time in court with AG Russell. Ugh.
Too bad we don’t have a Democrat to recommend over Russell.
Too bad good Republicans were outnumbered by the far right and weren’t able to elect one of two excellent candidates at convention. Instead we got Russell. Time to do away with voting for these important offices at convention.
You sound like a sore loser. “Good republicans” by your standards? Maybe you’re a bad person and a bad R.
Question for the legal beagles: If the SOS or a county auditor directs hand counting only, does the state or any county have legal recourse to stop hand counting?
Yes, Baxter is nuts. But isn’t it ironic that Monae used these same far right convention delegates to get into office in the first place? I give her credit for gaining clarity on how the office should be run and by most accounts she has done well with it. But how she started and how she got there is something I won’t forget. And how she’s leaving by endorsing the Democrat over the candidate who beat her is something many Republicans won’t forget.
Do you think republicans should always vote R no matter who the candidates are, though? If the GOP nominates an underqualified lunatic and not voting for them is “bad” because party unity, doesnt that say something about putting party ahead of country and state?
No, but many (most?) do.
Yes, it is ironic. I remember her on the KELO debate refusing to acknowledge that Trump lost to Biden. And of course kowtowing to the “hand count” lunatics.
Aww are you hurt that Monae used the wingnuts to get into office, or hurt that she took their desire to rip up the office in hand and instead followed the practices and traditions of the office? I’m sure you intend to be unclear and of both minds. How bout not causing trouble for troubles’ sake ok? Thanks.
Just goes to show you can’t trust these rabid righties. They will turn on you on a dime if you don’t conform.
CONFORM YOU ARE UNDER OUR CONTROL.
From what we’ve seen from Secretary Johnson to date, I’d say this is more she’s sour about losing at the Republican Convention.
From what I’ve seen from her, I’d say this is about self-sacrifice for the good of others.
Self sacrifice… she has nothing to sacrifice.
She could be sacrificing her reputation with her party. It is a brave step she has taken. She speaks what she feels is true. Not everyone is brave enough to do so.
MAGA kooks fighting over who’s the kookiest.
Who wins?
Not South Dakota.
I didn’t vote for Monae. I was skeptical. But she has done a solid job as Secretary of State.
Terrence Davis is an awesome man. But as great as he is, it took a lot of courage to endorse him. South Dakota Canvass just took a hit.
Probably the only elected official of either party to endorse an opposing party candidate (oops, forgot Liz and Adam)
I’ll admit this came as a surprise but Monae is someone who truly has grown the past few years. Props to her.
Kudos, Monae! This takes guts, and I agree with her 100%. Real Republicans vote Davis this year.
👍
Actually lol’d
Davis is a former Republican and is extremely professional and serious in his job. He will serve ALL South Dakotans well as SoS.
Thank you Monae. I’m with you on this one
Literally no one is surprised. You’re a Democrat always have been.
When I was traveling the state for jim Abdnor to beat McGovern, or when I was SD CR State Chair , or while I was selling tickets to gop events, while you were burning our party down? I’d need specifics
Anonymous is code for chicken shit
grudznick is ordering some Mr. Davis signs to put around town.
Better late than never to look past party affiliation and examine how ethical and what the individual is actually capable of.
He doesn’t look like he is from here Time to bring in ICE. Thats the the Republican way
Your words, nobody else’s. Nice try though.
If the democrats would have run a candidate for AG I absolutely would have considered voting for the other party. Now I just won’t vote in that race at all.
Understood
Knowing Monae during the years she worked for two previous SOSs, cleaning out back-logged paperwork and storage rooms full of boxes of files, I’d say she had a lot of knowledge going in to the job. Staffers would come up to her before she ever ran for office and thank her for the unsung service she provided the state of SD. She had relationship with them that the previous SOS did not. I agree with the comments about the courage to endorse a candidate based on record, experience, attitude not just follow the party line. Ultimately SD wins.
Monae didn’t use the wingnuts, they used her to get rid of former SOS and now they are using Baxter to get rid of their protege. Baxter offers nothing, she couldn’t even get elected as legislature of her own district. Monae is showing support for the State not the party by endorsing the better candidate.
Baxter still wins by double digits.
Probably and what follows is a 4-year sh!t show.
Probably. The office is understaffed and a political lightning rod, which makes employee retention hard.
States with Governor-Appointed Secretaries of State
Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania (titled Secretary of the Commonwealth), Texas, Virginia (titled Secretary of the Commonwealth).
It might also be time to merge the Auditor, Treasurer, and Public Lands into a comptroller.
Rhoden can appoint his long-time ally Greenfield to head it up.
I know there will be an effort to put them on the ballot, but it would be smart to first analyze the offices to determine if they are all necessary.
Reducing them from AG, SOS, auditor, Treasurer, and public lands – 5 offices – to 2 or 3 would drastically improve the quality of candidates and fundraising ability.
Attorney General, Comptroller, SOS.
“It shouldn’t be a political position in the first place. And if someone wants to run, the voters—not a small group behind closed doors at a convention—should be the ones who decide.”
Everyone knows Baxter is a placeholder for puppet-master and supreme weirdo Rick Weible to drool all over our ballots and upend our elections on behalf of MyPillow.