Author: @SoDakCampaigns

Like a lot of South Dakotans, I can’t wait for Friday night lights in the fall. I enjoy being able to attend games and other sporting events around the state throughout the season. Friday night football, Dakota Relays, Legion baseball, and the Summit League tournament – they’re all part of the sports heritage that we cherish and that we are proud to pass on to the next generation of South Dakota athletes.

College sports have a special place in South Dakota. Many South Dakotans continue following athletes from their hometown who keep playing in college or who go on to play professionally. I know the impact that college sports can have on athletes. My daughter ran cross country in college, and she was inducted into her college’s hall of fame a few years ago. My dad played basketball for the University of Minnesota where he was lucky enough to get a scholarship that covered room and board. He was the team’s MVP during his junior year and the high point man in a game at Madison Square Garden in 1940 – quite the journey for a small-town kid from South Dakota.

Sports have certainly changed a lot since my dad played for the Gophers. But one of the most significant changes for college sports came recently with rules that allow college athletes to benefit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). For many athletes, this is a welcome development. But, while NIL presents new opportunities for student athletes, it also brings challenges and complexities for them to navigate.

I recently joined NCAA President Charlie Baker for a discussion with student athletes and administrators hosted by Augustana University in Sioux Falls. The student panel spoke to some of the complexities of NIL, the need for a level playing field, and their hope that college sports will remain focused on playing the game, and not just making money. Their personal insights will be helpful as conversations continue in Congress about a federal role in setting NIL standards.

In my view, we need to ensure there is continued competition between large and smaller schools. A uniform set of standards to replace the existing patchwork of state laws that sometimes advantage public colleges would ensure there is a level playing field for all college athletes and their schools, no matter their size. National standards should also protect student athletes from being taken advantage of by bad actors.

One solution I’ve proposed is the Athlete Opportunity and Taxpayer Integrity Act, a bipartisan bill that would prohibit outside organizations and collectives from writing contributions off their taxes that are being used to compensate athletes. Student athletes now stand to benefit from opportunities related to their own NIL, but taxpayers shouldn’t be subsidizing such recruitment methods or payments.

As the new NIL era unfolds, it’s important that we safeguard the things that make college sports uniquely great. I appreciate Augustana University for hosting this timely discussion and the student athletes for their insight. I’m looking forward to seeing South Dakota’s athletes compete this fall, and I wish them the best of luck this season and with the opportunities ahead.

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Freedom Really Does Work Here
By: Governor Kristi Noem
September 8, 2023

I launched the “Freedom Works Here” nationwide workforce recruitment campaign in June to tell South Dakota’s story to America. South Dakota has seen unprecedented economic success over the last several years. This resulted in us having one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation – but we still had open jobs to fill.

From the beginning, this campaign has been about filling job openings for South Dakota businesses. Our businesses are loving the results, and Americans are answering the call!

We’ve been telling our story to the entire nation, encouraging Freedom-loving Americans to move to the best state in the nation to live, work, and raise a family. Today, I’d like to tell a bit of a different story. I’d like to share the stories of the South Dakota businesses who have been able to thrive because of this campaign.

I’ve talked to businesses across South Dakota about their workforce struggles. Since the launch of this campaign, local businesses have seen an increase in out-of-state applicants, welcomed new employees from across the country, and eased the workforce shortages that used to hinder their success.

Cole-TAC in Rapid City, DemKota Ranch Beef in Aberdeen, and Journey Construction Group in Sioux Falls are just a few examples of all the businesses that have been hiring out-of-state workers to fill their open jobs.

“Where most politicians just say they are working on a problem, Governor Noem is actually doing something about it. Here at Cole-TAC, we have started to receive more and more applications from folks living out-of-state. They are all very well qualified, and it’s clear that they are excited about the prospect of moving to South Dakota,” said Cole-TAC President Dustin Coleman. “One of our applicants even said that Governor Noem’s ‘Freedom Works Here’ TV commercials are the reason they looked into moving to and working in South Dakota. We are excited to start welcoming these folks to our great state.”

“In addition to aggressively recruiting in our home state of South Dakota, DemKota Ranch beef routinely recruits teammates out-of-state. DemKota recruiters have visited Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Indiana, Illinois, Arkansas, Florida, Colorado, and Missouri. We have hired teammates from all of these states,” said DemKota Ranch Beef CEO Adam Bode. “In the last six weeks, DemKota has welcomed 82 out-of-state teammates and families into our company and community. DemKota Ranch Beef will continue to support our local cattle producers to competitively market their animals, where locker plants and large conglomerates fail to meet their needs.”

“Journey Construction Group has already hired two employees from out-of-state just in the last few weeks – one from Alaska and one from Colorado. With our need for workers, we’ve been grateful to Governor Noem for her efforts to share South Dakota’s story with the rest of the country,” said Journey Construction Group CEO Randy Knecht. “The two positions that we have already filled are professional positions, meaning they are year-round jobs, rather than seasonal roles like many jobs in construction tend to be. We are excited to hire more workers from within and outside the state of South Dakota as our need for more workers will increase again this spring.”

These businesses are proving that South Dakota’s story inspires people. Folks want to move their families to a state that values Freedom – that still believes in the beauty of the American Dream.

In the three months since the campaign launched, the five TV ads have been viewed almost 700 million times. 6,501 of people have filled out the online job application, and 1,402 of those folks are in the final stages of moving to South Dakota.

In South Dakota we’re showing America that Freedom really does work here.

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Hot off the press, just had someone send me this flyer that’s going around at the various events this weekend leading up to the SDGOP Trump event and Central Committee Meeting.  Apparently, Heidi Engelhart, 2nd Vice President for South Dakota Republican Women, has thrown her hat into the internal SDGOP race for the National Committeewoman position current held by Pennington County resident Sandye Kading.

Her predecessor Sanye Kading was originally elected national committeewoman in 2012 for the South Dakota Republican Party, and has served as the president of the South Dakota Federation of Republican Women.

In South Dakota, the National Committeeman & woman’s duties have been largely ceremonial, and have consisted largely of representing South Dakota Republicans at meetings of the Republican National Committee.  In the past, the positions had travel paid for by the party, but as I understand, that went out of practice in past years, and committeepeople have largely been left to their own devices to cover their costs as the activity level and duties of the committeepersons were minimized and became less active in party activities such as fundraising.

Engelhart recently appeared on Mike Lindell’s streaming “Frankspeech” channel unhappy about local SDFRW clubs finding out they might have to accept transgendered individuals in their ranks, and along with an Iowa official in Republican Women, Engelhart declared that Republican Women Clubs would fight against transgendered membership in Republican Women all the way to the Supreme Court:

In the August 29 interview on the “Tamara Scott Show” on Mike Lindell’s FrankSpeech network, Carlson and Heidi Englehart of the South Dakota FRW said that they were advised by conservative constitutional attorney John Eidsmoe that the NFRW has a right as a “private organization” to establish its own bylaws for membership, and, like the Boy Scouts of America, it would prevail if a pro-LGBT legal challenge went all the way to the Supreme Court.

Read that here.

If that’s how they feel, I guess that’s all well and good for them, and I hope they pay for that fight out of their own budget. Not the party’s.

But to bring it up, if Engelhart is out campaigning for the spot to be elected at the next Republican convention, I want to know #1 – what is she going to do to get Republicans elected? And #2 – what is she going to do to raise money for the party (to help get candidates elected)?

Because the rest of it just sounds like a lot of noise.

And if anyone else is looking to run to be the next SDGOP National Committeewoman, it looks like it’s game on for the convention race.

The Sioux Falls Live website team has confirmed the story I brought you on August 30, noting that an activist with the SD Canvassing Group has been put in charge of Minnehaha County’s elections by Minnehaha County Auditor Leah Anderson:

The hourly pay will be $27.98 per hour. The pay rate was increased after the qualifications were upgraded with addition of a college degree and project experience, said Anderson.

and..

Commissioner Dean Karsky said in an interview with Sioux Falls Live that the auditor has the authority to hire whoever she wants.

“Leah was elected and beat an incumbent auditor,” Karsky said. “She was elected based on promises she made and what I see her doing is following through with the promises she made to the people who voted for her.”

Read it all here.

I’m sure this will go well.

The Aberdeen insider website had some talk in the last couple of days regarding the upcoming State Senate throwdown between long-time Aberdeen Republican Leader Katie Washnok, and State Representative Carl Perry:

The reason Novstrup and Perry hope to switch chambers is simple, Novstrup said. He will be term-limited out of the Senate.

and..

Washnok, 35, said the fact that Novstrup is term-limited in the Senate was one the reasons she decided to run. She describes herself as a political junkie who has been involved in a variety of political events and campaigns, but didn’t see herself running for office until recently.

Aberdeen has some big issues to face, she said, like ensuring it has an adequate water source. She said she wants to make sure it and other important topics are advocated for at the state level.

Read it all here (subscription required).

Katie Washnok quickly makes herself stand out, as she rattles off issues, and hits on solutions.  But, Novstrup and Perry are running for each other’s seats is because Al is termed out?  …and they felt the need to switch?

Really?  So how do they put that slogan on a billboard? One more time for the Very Old Boys’s club?  Or, Perry for Senate: Al told me I had to.

I know that I get barbs thrown my way because at times I will point things like this out on the Republican side of things. But regardless of party, it’s hard not be completely jaded when candidates like Al and Carl get up and make these kind of nakedly awful announcements.  “The reason Novstrup and Perry hope to switch chambers is simple, Novstrup said. He will be term-limited out of the Senate.”  Absolutely Ugh.

Al has been around for a while, if you look at his record of service..

So, why exactly does Al feel the need to go back and serve in a House yet again, with a record of chamber flipping that – if successful – that would match him with Frank Kloucek in holding on to office by his fingernails? There has got to be a better reason to be there.   Novstrup had also added “I still feel like there are issues to work on,” but aren’t there always?  And what will be his reason when he decides to jump back to the Senate the next time?

Even worse, reading the article makes Carl Perry sound like a butt-sniffing lap-dog, who only knows how to follow Al. His 2023 record for the bills he primed were 4 bills killed in committee, 4 bills withdrawn, so there’s no laurels for him to rest on.

Given that Perry and Novstrup have ran together over the last several elections, this announcement did nothing to dispel the impression that Perry only exists to do what Al says.  When candidates run together, and run together, and run together, and never stop, the voters will get the hint. Trust me, voters are looking for candidates who represent them not just a “yes-man” who does what he’s told.

If either Al or Carl intend to be in Pierre after the 2024 session, they had better step up their game and offer more than simply being Aberdeen’s septuagenarian broski ticket. As it is, this announcement was worse than a flop – it gave their opponents ammo to use against them.

Governor Noem Launches “Room for More” Ad

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem launched the latest ad of the “Freedom Works Here” nationwide workforce recruitment campaign: “Room for More.” The ad features Governor Noem in her office getting back to her real job after portraying multiple professions throughout the campaign.

“Thankfully, thousands of Freedom-loving Americans responded and are moving here to pitch in,” said Governor Noem. “But there’s always room for more. So come work in South Dakota – the Freest state in America. Now if you’ll excuse me – I’ve got my real job to do.”

In the “Room for More” ad, Governor Noem reflects on the jobs she portrayed in the previous “Freedom Works Here” ads. Since the launch of “Freedom Works Here” Governor Noem has been a plumber, dentist, welder, and electrician.

6,166 of people have applied to move to South Dakota, and 1,402 individuals are in the final stages of moving to here.

The most applications have come from California (979), Florida (458), Texas (452), Minnesota (356), and New York (281). 172 South Dakotans have also used the campaign as a tool to get plugged into career opportunities. A map showing where applicants are from can be found here.

These numbers represent those working directly through the “Freedom Works Here” program. Even more people are finding jobs and moving to South Dakota of their own accord after seeing the ads.

More information about the Freedom Works Here campaign can be found here.

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Attorney General Jackley Joins Congressional Request To Create AI Child Exploitation Expert Commission

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has joined 53 other Attorneys General in asking Congressional leaders to create an expert panel on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is to use to exploit children.

“Artificial Intelligence has its benefits, but there is also potential for serious harm that we are now experiencing with several investigations in South Dakota,” said Attorney General Jackley.  “That harm is real with ‘deepfakes’ that include the use of real children’s voices and photographs taken from social media to create computer generated child porn.”

In their letter, the Attorneys General urge Congress to create an expert commission to study how AI methods are used to exploit children and then take steps to protect children from such issues as the generation of child sexual abuse materials and the use of their images for deepfake photo images.

“We need Congress to take action, and I also plan to do so this Legislative Session in South Dakota,” said Attorney General Jackley. “We will be working with legislators to address ‘deepfakes’ and to make AI generated child pornography a crime in South Dakota.”

Other Attorneys General signing onto the letter were from the states of: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

The letter can be read here:

Lt. Gov. Rhoden Opens Dakota Events CompleX 

HURON, S.D. – Today, Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden and the South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources opened the Dakota Events CompleX (DEX) at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron.

“The DEX is a state-of-the-art facility that will position us to better compete for national rodeo and equestrian events. It will provide the city of Huron and the entire state of South Dakota with new opportunities,” said Lt. Governor Rhoden. “Out of adversity, we have found opportunity to grow. The DEX will be a special place. I can’t wait to see all of the memories that families, friends, visitors, and fairgoers will make right here.”

Almost three years ago, in the early hours of October 31^st, 2020, a fire destroyed the State Fair Open Class Beef Complex. Thanks to State Fair staff, firefighters, and first responders, no people or animals were injured in the fire, but the building was a total loss.

Immediately after the fire, Governor Noem announced the DEX project in her 2020 Budget Address and held a press conference in Huron discussing the plans to build this new and improved complex.  The legislature authorized $20 million to build the DEX in 2021 and an additional $9 million earlier this year to ensure that it was ready to open for the 2023 South Dakota State Fair.

The DEX is a 150,000 square-foot open concept facility. It is capable of housing up to 2,000 head of cattle and allows for indoor regional and national rodeos, equestrian events, and livestock exhibitions.

Photos from the ribbon cutting ceremony can be found here, here, here, and here.

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As you get older, you can look back and remember people who taught you lessons in life, and you tend not to forget them.  For me, Ken Orrock was one of those people, and his name popped up in the news today:

Kenneth Orrock was Bennett County state’s attorney before being charged in federal court for failing to collect and remit payroll taxes from 2011 through 2015. The charges didn’t relate to his practice of law, but to his security company, called Black Hills Patrol. He was given a five-year probation sentence and ordered to pay $280,000 in restitution after pleading guilty. He was released from probation after three years.

On Wednesday, Orrock appeared before the state Supreme Court in Pierre to ask for limited readmission to the bar. The bar’s disciplinary board heard from Orrock earlier this year and recommended readmission on several conditions, among them limiting Orrock’s practice to criminal law and requiring him to retake and pass the bar exam.

Read that here at South Dakota Searchlight.

That’s a name I remember, as it was the first, and maybe the only bad debt I’ve had to write off in my postcard business.    Back in May of 2016, I had been been selling campaign materials for a while, and I was asked to design/print/mail a postcard for Orrock in his race for Bennett County State’s Attorney. Which when it came time for the bill, it was ignored.   It wasn’t much, about $165, but after being ghosted long enough, as well as noting his legal troubles, you have to decide how much energy a person is going to put into trying to collect a $165 bill across the state.

I wrote that debt off over 7 years ago now, but the the lesson I learned sticks with me. Cash up front in political races if you don’t know the person.  You’d think you could trust elected officials, but it turns out that there’s always one who spoils it for the rest.

Getting back to Orrock’s latest appearance in the news, if you read the article, his attorney Jim Sword is vouching for his “his growth as a person” since he got stomped on by the Federal court for failing to pay payroll taxes to the tune of $300k. But, the court isn’t so sure they agree..

Chief Justice Steven Jensen said it was clear to him that Orrock had done a great deal of work on himself since his conviction, but also asked about complaints from before the charges appeared in 2017. Orrock had seven complaints lodged against him, some of which were later expunged, with others leading to reprimand. That’s more than usual, Jensen said.

and..

His ability to act as a court-appointed attorney, however, could help relieve the burden caused in the Rapid City area by a dearth of criminal lawyers.

“Many of the court appointed attorneys that I’ve been able to speak to in the last several months have just been overwhelmed,” Orrock said. “As a matter of fact, one told me last week he’s stopping to take them because he can’t do it any more.”

Same citation..

The back and forth, as well as my own experience leads a person to ask, “are they really THAT hard up for attorneys in South Dakota?”

Patrick Schubert, who ran for US Senate against Senator John Thune for about 10 minutes in the 2022 has apparently set his sights on the 2024 Congressional race.

Schubert Congress by Pat Powers on Scribd

Schubert of Box Elder, who announced his candidacy for US Senate around this time in 2021 via a overly long and rambling press release, has been living in Rapid City for the last decade, and managed to raise around $1200 in his run against Senator Thune. However, Schubert failed to collect sufficient signatures to get on the ballot, and was done by the end of March in 2022.

I imagine he’s going to do about the same in this election.