40 thoughts on “Another entrant into the 2018 South Dakota U.S. House race?”

      1. Feasant give us your analysis.

        1. Shantel Krebs
        2. Larry Rhoden
        3. Dusty Johnson
        4. Dan Lederman
        5 . Unknown legislator
        6. Lynn Disanto

    2. Todd ran for State House in the primary with State Rep Dan Kaiser and State Rep -Elect Drew Dennert.

  2. Aberdonian Todd Kolden would be an excellent candidate and Congressman if his campaign can build momentum and voters can get to know him and where he stands on issues. He may not have the name recognition statewide but having someone fairly new to the political scene does have it’s benefits.

              1. Can you explain what that has to do with whether you’re a credible candidate for statewide office?

  4. Also calls are being made on behalf of a current U.S Senate staffer. He too, would be a credible candidate.

    1. I guess if a governors staff member can run why not a federal staff member?

      I’m just not sure what being Chief of Staff does for someone. What do you run on?

      1. Let’s not forget that there is one current U.S. Senate staffer with experience in elected office…Mark Johnston. Former State Senator, retired Colonel, backing of the Rounds machine? Could be the start of a competitive campaign. Biggest question is if the primary is between Dusty, Krebs, and Johnston, who does Rounds and the rest of his network support? All 3 have connections to Rounds. Or maybe the bigger question is who would Thune and Noem support of those 3?

        1. I hope all three stay out. The last thing any of them need is baggage.

          Be your own person, run on your own record and accomplishments (or in Dusty’s case Daugaard’s).

          Kolden should run. Why not.

      1. And what made Varilek a decent candidate for Dems was that no one else wanted to run (other than Barth – I do think Barth would be a decent Chair for the SDDP), he was knowledgeable and he had the Johnson machine backing him. He got around 43%. Not bad for a guy who wasn’t nearly as talented as SHS.

        Take away Senator Johnson’s machine and backing and what does the staff member have?

        Staff members running are good legacy builders. And yes Thune was a staff person once also but in between congress and staffing he did a lot of other things for a lot of different groups across the state.

        1. Presumably this staffer would have either the Thune or Rounds “machine” behind them. Both are fairly formidable. And depending on who this unnamed staffer is, they may be more talented than Varilek was. Add in the fact that it’s an open seat and that a Republican is always going to have it easier than a Dem in South Dakota, and you have the potential for a winning candidate.

          The biggest difference between this situation and Varilek’s is who else is running. Varilek ran in the primary against a quirky County Commissioner. This primary will include 2 people who have run and won statewide before and who have their own networks of support. Unless this staffer’s boss went all-in to support them, they’ll have a tough time beating Johnson or Krebs.

            1. Agreed. Ben’s got the skills to run a credible campaign. Not sure that he’s interested in running for anything though.

    3. Hmmm…that would be interesting. I know of a few Senate staffers with the ego to do it, not sure about the rest of the package needed.

  5. Chiefs of staff that I’ve known over the last 30 years all know how to do the job, know how to campaign and raise money. Most of them were selfless enough to do it without recognition or fame. Most of them just didn’t have the personality to do the top job.

    Discount a current or former staffer all you want, but remember, John Thune was a staffer himself.

    1. The person said current staffer, not Chief of Staff.

      if you know something we don’t, fess up.

    2. Right but it’s still an unelected bureaucrat that is taking credit for the elected officials accomplishments. Obviously they work together. I just don’t see how that translates to a lot of votes.

      They can run all they want but I don’t see why they would be the best candidate on the trail.

  7. My name is Todd Kolden. I have proudly, PROUDLY served my state and country for most of my life. Have you?
    Yes, I want to continue to serve. But if Ms. Krebs officially confirms, I support her 100 percent.

    1. Then it is hard to take you seriously.

      You have only managed to win a school board race, got your butt kicked in a primary election for the legislature, and you’ll step aside unless someone you think is better comes along.

      That makes you Jay Williams. And we all see how he did.

      1. Donald Trump hadn’t won anything until he became president. Dusty Johnson quit his last elected position. Todd has never quit let him speak his mind.

    2. Todd,
      if you want to be affective in the political world, you need to put on a couple more layers of hide.

    3. I have to chime in here on the ‘taken seriously’ comment.
      I’ve known and worked with Todd Kolden in the past, and we have not always agreed on a number of things, but in this case I agree with and respect what he is saying:
      First, it’s unfortunate the number of you out there who don’t seem to have the guts to put your name behind your posts. You have a right to your own thoughts/opinions…but to be taken seriously, have the courage to put your name behind your comments.
      Second, the fact that Todd is considering running, but would step aside and give support to another candidate, whom he apparently agrees with and supports philosophically/politically, should she decide to run…that says to me that his candidacy is based not on personal glory or gain, but to do what he believes is right for the state and country. Being willing to step aside and support a candidate you believe in is a sign of humility and integrity, something a lot of people in this country could use.
      Whether I agree with his ideas/philosophy or not, I respect that.
      I’m not here stumping for Todd…he doesn’t need my help…but I respect him for his statements and beliefs.
      You have a right to disagree…but to be taken seriously, own up to your statements.
      Just saying…

    4. Todd,

      A lot of people don’t win the first time they run for the legislature. Kaiser didn’t.

      My suggestion to you is to start going to the GOP meetings. Get to know everyone and let them know you are interested in serving.

      There will be an open seat in the next couple years. Then run after serious planning and team building. Maybe city council, legislature, precinct captain or maybe congress.

      My point is that I know you would be a welcome addition to the local party. Be visible in the party locally.

  8. Todd, regardless, you need to have the local GOP’s on your side and not alienate them. Don’t hold grudges…look at Cory H…

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