Author: @SoDakCampaigns

Americans For Prosperity – South Dakota Announces New State Director Keith Moore

SIOUX FALLS, SD – Americans for Prosperity-South Dakota (AFP-SD) today announced Keith Moore as its next state director.

“South Dakota has a lot of good things going for it, but there are some areas where significant policy reform would take our state to the next level: education, economic opportunity, and criminal justice to name a few. Last year’s legislative reforms in health care and education shows that South Dakotans are ready for real solutions to some of our challenges. I look forward to working with South Dakotans from across the state to push transformational policy solutions that will lead us out of this pandemic and to a recovery that makes South Dakota stronger than ever,” Moore said.

Prior to joining Americans for Prosperity, Moore served as the state director of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a position he served in since 2012. Moore has also held positions with the Federal Bureau of Indian Education, the University of South Dakota, and the South Dakota Department of Education.

Moore earned his undergraduate degree from Northern State University and his graduate degree from South Dakota State University. He also holds a specialist degree in educational leadership from Montana State.  Born and raised in South Dakota, Keith now lives in Sioux Falls with his wife and children.

Background:
AFP-SD is a grassroots organization that encourages lawmakers to champion policy that promotes economic opportunity for all South Dakotans, expands access to quality health care, reforms our criminal justice system, and improves education for all students.
 

Republican State Representative Mike Derby announced his re-election campaign kickoff this past weekend in Rapid City, and was able to get a nice soundbite on the local news as part of his announcement.

As he looks ahead to a second term, Derby has declared a couple of priorities.

“As a businessman for over 30 years, I always look through legislation with the lens of a business person. What is this legislation going to do to impact the business people? What are the barriers we can get out of the way?” Derby asked. “I’ve been involved over the years with Ellsworth Air Force Base in Box Elder and past Chairman of the Military Affairs Committee and Ellsworth Task Force, and been through the base realignment and closure commission process,” he adds. “And so those are two things that I’m very interested in.”

Read (and watch the story) here.

Representative Derby represents District 34, and has served in the legislature for 8 total years, spanning two runs of office. He is currently a member of the LRC Executive Board.

Good catch to a blog correspondent who pointed out to me this evening that Dakota Free Press author Cory Heidelberger has recently filed a change of address to his ballot measure committee, noting that “SD Voice” is now a ballot measure committee operating out of Nebraska:

NebraskaVoice_sdcfdisclosure by Pat Powers on Scribd

(Funny that Cory has yet to mention the move…)

Gov. Kristi Noem Issues Statement Honoring Marcella LeBeau

PIERRE, SD — Today Governor Kristi Noem issued the following statement after learning of the death of beloved Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe member Marcella LeBeau:

“As a proud member of the Lakota, Wigmunke Waste Win (Pretty Rainbow Woman) served both her community and her country as a member of the Greatest Generation. Her service as a nurse during World War II has been chronicled by historians. Her dedication as a nurse in the Indian Health Services for more than 30 years has left a legacy that will live in our hearts and minds forever. In addition to keeping her people healthy, she protected their heritage by helping repatriate important cultural items belonging to the tribes. Through it all, it was her joyful spirit that connected her with many in her community.

“Bryon and I send our condolences to the entire Lakota nation as they remember Marcella. Her kind, servant’s heart will be missed.”

On October 12, 2019, the state of South Dakota proclaimed it Marcella LeBeau Day in honor of her 100^thbirthday. You may find that proclamation here.

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The Bluestem Prairie blog is reporting this afternoon that State Representative Tina Mulally is among a group of people and organizations sponsoring Arizona Sheriff Richard Mack at an event in Rapid City next week:

Mack has been noted as a long-time Board member of controversial group Oath Keepers up until 2015. The same Oath Keepers group which is cited as having 23 members of their militia group arrested as part of the riot at the US Capitol on January 6th. Mack is appearing in Rapid City as a representative of the “Constitutional Sheriffs & Peace Officer Association,” a group which has been cited as being controversial in it’s own right as he teaches that “the sheriff has unilateral power to decide which laws should be enforced.”

Rolling Stone and multiple news outlets recently directed national attention at the Oath Keeper group’s South Dakota ties, which featured State Rep. Phil Jensen’s membership in the extremist militia group.

Interestingly, In addition to State Rep. Mulally, former State Rep. Chip Campbell and the Custer County Sheriff sponsoring the controversial speaker, the flyer claims event sponsorship of the event by Grand Gateway Hotel in Rapid City and Outback Steakhouse.

Do we really think Outback Steakhouse is sponsoring it? I have a sneaking suspicion it’s similar to when Lora Hubbel was hosting an event at Pizza Ranch to talk about masking for COVID..

Stay tuned.

The First Thanksgiving
By U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)
November 22, 2021

Thanksgiving – it’s the time of year where you can turn to the paper and are almost guaranteed to find a few fluffy columns about counting blessings and being thankful. But this year, it would ring hollow coming from me. As many of you know, I lost Jean, my wife of 43 years, to cancer on November 2. She was the love of my life and, without her in it, my world will never be the same.

Often when we think about love, we think about all the firsts. The first date. The first kiss. The first time bringing her home to mom and dad. But what about the painful firsts love throws at us? The first night shutting off the lights alone in bed. The first snowfall without her by my side. Even in death, love remains; yet is the source of grief.

This is my first holiday alone. And while family will be there, I’m still alone. No amount of people can replace Jean’s presence. For 43 years, we shared everything together. In marriage, we became one. She was my soulmate, my rock and her void is impossible to fill.

Hardly an hour goes by where I don’t think about Jean. She’s my first thought in the morning and the last before I go to bed. She was everything to me and is constantly on my mind.

Everyone grieves differently and it can hit you at any time. Feelings come when you least expect them and some moments are worse than others. Sometimes longing, sometimes anger, sometimes pain. We often don’t get to choose how we feel. But when I can, I choose to be thankful.

Thankful that God brought that Lake Preston farm girl into my life. Thankful for every minute we shared together. And that family was always first.

Thankful for the friends, family and even strangers who prayed for us and loved us through it all. Thankful for the doctors and nurses who worked so hard to cure her and to make her comfortable. The kindness we felt made a difference and will never be forgotten.

Thankful she is no longer in pain and is finally at peace. No more long trips to Mayo. No more poking and prodding. No more radiation or chemo. Just peace.

Thankful for everything she left with me. The memories. The kids. The grandkids. I’ll take care of them and they’ll take care of me. That’s what family does and we’ll get through this together. A part of Jean lives in each of us, and in that we can find comfort.

And thankful for our Faith, which gives us the hope that we will be with each other again someday. 65 is too young to leave this earth. While death may separate us now, love binds us together forever.

Like our ancestors who faced a new, unknown world on the first Thanksgiving, I find myself this Thanksgiving anticipating an entirely new world. But relying on courage and Faith, I know God will continue to provide and give me the strength to live out the purpose he has remaining for me. As Jean and I would remind one another, “When you have Faith, you have hope.”

From the Associated Press, South Dakota Democrats have to get their checkbooks out to right some wrongs with regards to how they handle(d) campaign finance. And it’s going to cost them a pretty penny:

The South Dakota Democratic Party said Friday it has paid a $40,000 penalty and rid its accounts of $2,500 in contributions for campaign finance violations during the 2016 presidential election.

and..

The party has faced multiple financial issues in recent years, but its chairman Randy Seiler said the fines settled all violations with federal election regulators. The party has overhauled its leadership since 2019.

Read it all here.

40k? Whoof.  That’s especially tough considering what’s in their federal account at the moment:

Only 25k, and that includes a lot of welfare from the Democrats National Committee. Which means they might have to dig into their state account – if they have it

Honoring Native American Heritage Month
By Sen. John Thune

Since 1990, our country has celebrated Native American Heritage Month every November to honor and pay tribute to the proud ancestry and traditions of Native Americans. In South Dakota, we are proud of the culture and contributions of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota people. So, as we prepare for Thanksgiving and the rest of the upcoming holiday season, let’s take a moment to pause and reflect on the contributions Native Americans have made to our state and nation.

The rich traditions of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota people are woven into the fabric of South Dakota’s history, and they are a significant part of what makes South Dakota such a unique and special place. They are so woven that our state name of Dakota is a Native word for “friendly” or “allies.”

This month we also have the honor of celebrating our country’s veterans, many of whom are Native Americans, who bravely risked and sacrificed their own lives in defense of freedom. Native Americans have proudly served in our nation’s military since the time of the Revolutionary War. And, during both world wars, Native American soldiers, known as code talkers, were integral in helping to transmit secret tactical messages in support of critical military operations by using codes built upon their native tribal languages. Americans and our allies will be forever grateful to our code talkers.

Native American culture can be found in almost every corner of our state. I recently had the pleasure of stopping by the beautiful and breathtaking Crazy Horse Memorial. This monument serves as an incredible tribute to Native Americans across our nation, and it’s a privilege to showcase it here in South Dakota.

I know I’m not alone in considering myself extremely grateful to live in a state that honors its Native American history and traditions. Whether it’s language, food, or events, the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota people have left and are continuing to leave an important mark on our state and nation.

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Angels in Adoption
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
November 18, 2021

November is National Adoption Month which is why on behalf of the state of South Dakota, I would like to congratulate Sarah and Terry Reyelts for being selected as 2021 Angels in Adoption honorees.

In addition to having two biological children, Sarah and Terry welcomed three children into their family through adoption. Now parents to five children from ages 3 to 21, Sarah and Terry say all the children’s different personalities have perfectly completed their family.

Like so many couples that adopt, they saw a need—a need for children in South Dakota to have a place to call home—and they filled that void. More than 117,000 children are eligible for adoption each year, and I am humbled by so many South Dakotans commitment to our state’s most vulnerable individuals.

When Sarah was asked what she would say to those thinking about fostering or adopting, she gave a simple response: “Do it. Beyond the great need, especially in South Dakota… people forget to focus on the blessings in what these children do for you, not just what you do for them. They’re a delight and such a blessing, so don’t think about it too much, and if God puts it on your heart, just do it.”

Fostering is equally important, and throughout Terry’s career in law enforcement he’s witnessed the value of it firsthand, saying that many biological parents just need to “get themselves right before they can handle the family dynamic again.”

A stable and permanent family is so critical in a developing child’s life. Through foster care or adoption, these children have a safe haven they otherwise wouldn’t. The Reyelts family is an incredible example of how just one couple can change the lives of so many children.

Thank you to all foster and adoptive families for being true heroes to kids throughout our state.

Sarah and Terry Reyelts reside in Mitchell, South Dakota

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From Twitter, Speaker of the House Spencer Gosch is lamenting legal action that has been initiated to compel disclosure of House members who signed off to call a special session for purposes of impeachment:

Why is the Argus Leader, South Dakota Newspaper Association, and KELO suing the hard working men and women of the LRC when it was my decision to keep the Ravsnborg Spec Ses correspondence confidential? If you want to come after someone, come after the one who made the decision. pic.twitter.com/L6ZKlEJZ8t

— Spencer Gosch (@SpencerGosch) November 20, 2021