Author: @SoDakCampaigns

The South Dakota Legislature this week is proposing a new measure to let voters decide whether they want to put the nomination for statewide candidates on the primary ballot to let the primary voters for each political party to decide who their candidates will be, versus the candidates being chosen only by those attending the political party conventions:

House Joint Resolution 5001

Title:
Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, requiring all non-judicial offices elected by a statewide vote to be nominated at a primary election.

Sponsors:
Representatives Tordsen (prime), Bartels, Chase, Heermann, Kull, Mortenson, Rehfeldt, Sauder, Venhuizen, and Wangsness and Senators Johnson (prime), Crabtree, Davis, Diedrich, Duhamel, Reed, Rohl, Schoenbeck, and Zikmund

A JOINT RESOLUTION, Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, requiring all non-judicial offices elected by a statewide vote to be nominated at a primary election.

Section 1. That at the next general election held in the state, the following amendment to Article VII of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, as set forth in section 2 of this Joint Resolution, which is hereby agreed to, shall be submitted to the electors of the state for approval.

Section 2. That Article VII of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, be amended with a NEW SECTION:

General election candidates for United States Senate, United States House of Representatives, Governor, attorney general, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer, commissioner of school and public lands, or for any office created by law that is elected by a statewide vote, may only be nominated by means of a primary election. The primary ballot may not indicate or imply any endorsement of any candidate by a political party or by any person or organization.

The Legislature may, by law, establish any necessary procedures to implement this section, including procedures for replacing a candidate for any office who advanced from the primary election but is not able to participate in the general election due to death, withdrawal, or disqualification, and procedures for allowing a party to nominate a candidate for office when no member of that party filed in the primary election for that office.

The bill, prime sponsored by State Representative Tyler Tordsen in the House also boasts the support of Republican Leadership in both chambers, which signals that this proposal is likely to get serious consideration.  If placed on the ballot, it would be up to the voters to decide whether they have any interest in it. If the voters decide it’s not something they want to mess with, they can certainly reject the constitutional amendment, and leave it to the political parties.

Predictably, some members of the hard right are already freaking out about it.  But, it’s more of a philosophical question. Do we want to expand the group of people who choose who the political party’s nominees are? Or is the juice not worth the squeeze?

Your thoughts?

Freedom for Life: Why a Crying Baby is a Good Thing
By: Governor Kristi Noem
January 12, 2024

I recently delivered my State of the State Address to a joint session of our State Legislature. Towards the end of my speech, a small kiddo started crying up in the gallery. Now, to some that would probably be an unwanted interruption, but in South Dakota, we will always welcome a crying baby. And that’s a good thing considering the fact that our state has the highest birth rate in the nation – so we have a lot of crying babies around!

This particular kiddo did have some great timing, though. The crying started just as I started discussing Freedom for Life. We couldn’t have planned it better if we tried!

That crying represented every South Dakotan’s Freedom to get off to the right start. That includes before they are born, after they are born, and continues until the day they die. In that spirit, I just signed a proclamation making 2024 “Freedom for Life Year” in the state of South Dakota.

The best way that we can advance “Freedom for Life Year” in South Dakota is by taking care of both moms and their babies before birth and after. Every human life is precious from the conception of an unborn child until natural death. And being pro-life means valuing every child’s life before their birth and throughout their life. Being pro-life also means valuing and protecting the lives of mothers.

Research has shown that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life are the most significant days for their development. This time stretches from the moment a child is conceived through their 2^nd birthday. The fields of neuroscience, biology, and early childhood development all give us powerful insights into how nutrition, relationships, behaviors, and environments in the first 1,000 days shape future outcomes.

During that critical time, both mom and baby have to be well nourished and cared for to lead to healthy physical, emotional, and mental growth as a child’s brain and body develop. The first 1,000 days really does set the foundation for the rest of a child’s life.

In South Dakota, we have been dedicated to providing moms, babies, and their families with extensive resources to help them through those first 1,000 days and beyond. We offer the Bright Start program to get one-on-one nursing services to first-time moms and their babies. And my Department of Social Services’ Pregnancy Health Home will offer care coordination to all pregnant mothers enrolled in Medicaid.

Life.SD.gov compiles all of our resources in one convenient location. I encourage moms to go there to find answers to any questions they may have about pregnancy, parenting, available financial resources, adoption, and more.

I am proud that South Dakota respects life. And I am looking forward to expanding our efforts to support mothers and their babies throughout 2024, “Freedom for Life Year.”

I want to thank that little kiddo for crying during my State of the State Address. Thank you for reminding all of us why we do what we do. I promise that I will keep doing all that I can to make sure you (and every other baby in South Dakota) has Freedom for Life.

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In case you missed it as part of his weekly update (printed below), Congressman Dusty Johnson was reminding people to be safe on the roads this week, as he himself had ended up in the ditch while traveling back to the Sioux Falls Airport from Mitchell as a result of the winter storms and poor road conditions sweeping through the region:

Tuesday was Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. On Monday, I was headed to the airport to return to Washington, drove into icy road conditions, and ended up in the ditch. Thankfully, I was wearing my seatbelt and no one was injured. I was impressed with the professionalism of the state trooper that responded to the scene. I’m grateful for our men and women in blue who work tirelessly through all conditions to keep us safe. This winter weather is just beginning, so always remember to wear your seatbelt, travel with a winter weather survival kit, and pay attention to the road and weather conditions. It can save your life.

Read that here.

I heard that Congressman Johnson may have taken his car for a roll in the snow when he went off the road into the ditch, which is just scary. As noted, he was wearing his seatbelt and was thankfully not injured.

Dan Lederman, former chair and current member of the South Dakota Republican Party, was on Twitter yesterday calling out Aberdeen Resident Toby Doeden who has formed an exploratory effort for Congress for Doeden’s claim on Twitter this past April that hate crimes against Jewish-Americans were “fake news.”

As Lederman posted to his Twitter account:

This guy wants to represent South Dakota in Congress yet disrespects victims of anti-Semitism. No thank you, @TobyforCongress. Here’s a tweet from Toby Doeden’s recently deleted Twitter account: https://t.co/GFIduGbn5a pic.twitter.com/z4hvap3Pdc

— Dan Lederman (@danlederman) January 10, 2024

Dan Lederman led the South Dakota Republican Party over three terms/six years, helping to deliver the State’s elected offices for Republicans as well as to maintain the SDGOP’s legislative super-majorities in both Houses. Lederman, a former legislator and current Chair of the Union County GOP, is also active at the national level in the Republican Jewish Coalition, an organization which fosters ties between the American Jewish community & Republican lawmakers.

Prioritizing Safety
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
January 11, 2024

BIG News

Last Friday, a plane in Oregon was forced to conduct an emergency landing due to a door plug being ripped off shortly after takeoff. This is a major safety concern for this plane make and model. While Boeing 737 Max 9 planes in America have been grounded to investigate the issue, due diligence should be done to make sure this never happens again. Thankfully, in this case everyone was safe, but an event like this could be catastrophic. I joined Fox Business to talk about the incident and the need for Congress to pass the five-year aviation bill to improve safety in the industry. Watch the interview by clicking here or the image below.

BIG Idea

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology President Dr. Jim Rankin was in D.C. this week and gave an update of what’s going on at School of Mines. Last week, School of Mines was listed as the #2 recommended university in the Midwest by students and alumni, published in the Wall Street Journal’s 2024 Best Colleges in U.S. list. Their 83% student retention rate proves that ranking true, which is seven percent higher than the national average. With a 98% job placement rate in the graduate’s field of study, their continued success is obvious, and is one more reason for their high rankings.

BIG Update

Tuesday was Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. On Monday, I was headed to the airport to return to Washington, drove into icy road conditions, and ended up in the ditch. Thankfully, I was wearing my seatbelt and no one was injured. I was impressed with the professionalism of the state trooper that responded to the scene. I’m grateful for our men and women in blue who work tirelessly through all conditions to keep us safe. This winter weather is just beginning, so always remember to wear your seatbelt, travel with a winter weather survival kit, and pay attention to the road and weather conditions. It can save your life.

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From my e-mail box:

Senator Tim Reed of District 7, received the South Dakota State’s Attorneys Association’s annual award for legislative leadership. The award is presented to a legislator who shows a commitment to law and order in South Dakota.

First elected to the legislature in 2016, Senator Reed has authored numerous laws that have strengthened the protections for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Recognized for his passion and dedication to find justice for victims, Senator Reed worked closely with prosecutors and victim advocates across South Dakota to understand the issues and find legislative solutions.

A ceremony was held in Pierre Wednesday where legislative leaders and members from the Senate and House judiciary committees were present. The award was presented by SDSAA President Dan Nelson, who is State’s Attorney for Brookings County.

“Senator Reed is a tremendous partner in our pursuit of justice for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Because of his hard work and dedication, victims of these violent crimes have the support and justice they deserve. South Dakota communities are safer because of his efforts.” Said State’s Attorney Nelson.

Gov. Noem Proclaims 2024 as “Freedom for Life Year”

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem proclaimed 2024 as “Freedom for Life Year” in the state of South Dakota. You can find video of her signing the proclamation here.

“In order to live a healthy life, we must first have the Freedom to get off to the right start,” said Governor Noem in her State of the State Address. “That Freedom extends to every single South Dakotan – before they are born; after they are born; until the day they die.”

We must take care of both moms and their babies before birth and after. The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are the most significant days for their development. And we have resources dedicated to helping moms, families, and their babies throughout the life of a child.

“All human lives are precious from the conception of an unborn child until natural death. We recognize this fact scientifically, legally, philosophically, and morally and takes steps to educate the public accordingly,” wrote Governor Noem in the proclamation. “It is fitting and proper for the Governor to celebrate South Dakota’s Freedom for Life; make moms, families, medical professionals, and others aware of available resources; hold events recognizing these facts; and do all that I can to take care of moms and their babies both before birth and after.”

More information on South Dakota’s “Freedom for Life” resources can be found at Life.SD.gov.

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Governor Kristi Noem was mentioned again as a front-runner in the Veepstakes in an article today from the Hill speculating who Trump’s pick for VP might be, as it came up in a Town Hall that the former president participated in while campaigning in Iowa yesterday.

Trump has largely been mum about who he might choose as a running mate, though he has named South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) as an option he’d consider. The former president is not expected to pick his previous running mate and vice president, Mike Pence, for another campaign.

Trump allies have pushed for a female running mate, with Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) and Haley among others mentioned.

Read it here.

Senate Passes Thune-Rounds Resolution Honoring SDSU’s Back-to-Back Football National Championship

 WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that the U.S. Senate passed their resolution honoring the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Jackrabbits football team for winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Championship Subdivision title.

“Congratulations to the SDSU Jackrabbits football team on another remarkable season,” said the senators. “It’s a privilege to lead the Senate in recognizing the accomplishments of the players, coaches, and staff, and we commend them for bringing another NCAA Division I national championship back to South Dakota.”

On January 7, 2024, the Jackrabbits defeated the University of Montana Grizzlies in Frisco, Texas, to win their second consecutive national title.

Text of the resolution is available here.

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Republican Jamie Huizenga of Pierre announced this week he will be running for re-election to the Pierre City Commission, according to KCCR Radio:

Pierre City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga is looking to keep his place on the Commission dais at the Pierre Municipal Building. His term expires this year and he’s planning to seek another.

Huizenga says he wants to continue to help growing Pierre into the future.

Read (and listen to) the story here at KCCR Radio.

(Yes, we know it’s a non-partisan office. But, we also like to give credit when credit is due for those who carry water for the elephant!)