Author: @SoDakCampaigns

Finck declares candidacy for District 19 State Senate

TRIPP, SD– Tripp native Caleb Finck announced today that he will run for State Senate in South Dakota’s 19th District. Finck is currently South Dakota State University as student body president, and recently served as a legislative intern with the South Dakota House of Representatives.

Petitions for his senate campaign were taken out on Monday, and Finck plans to share his campaign platform with voters on a one-on-one basis as he gathers signatures.

The maintenance of a strong education system in South Dakota will be a priority in Finck’s campaign. “I want our state’s education system to be vibrant and competitive,” Finck said. “The taxpayers of District 19, and the state at large, will know that if they send me to Pierre, they will have an advocate for an education system that promotes growth and opportunity.”

Finck, who grew up on a farm six miles south of Tripp, will return to the family farm upon his graduation from SDSU in May, where he will be awarded a degree in Agricultural Leadership. Finck also plans on furthering his education with an online masters in Community Development.

“I am a strong supporter of new technology and precision in farming, and I want to be a solid voice for agriculture in South Dakota,” he said. During his campaign, Finck will emphasize the pivotal role that education plays in the state’s economic development.

Finck’s rural roots guided him to select community development as his area of graduate study, and intends to put the knowledge acquired in that program to use by promoting economic growth in rural South Dakota.

“When I was a kid I heard the phrase, ‘We are only as strong as our smallest community,” Finck said. “We need to do everything we can to keep our small towns strong and continue to make them stronger.”

An active member of the South Dakota College Republicans and a volunteer for numerous statewide political campaigns, Finck is excited to begin his own campaign in District 19.

“I am absolutely ready to put in the hard work necessary to earn this seat,” Finck stated. “As I continue to meet the people of District 19, I am encouraged by my decision to pursue this path of public service, and I look forward to building a relationship with them throughout this campaign.”

-30-

Just a note from the Editor –

If you want to support Caleb in his race for District 19 State Senate, feel free to send a donation to:

Caleb Finck for State Senate
29248 410th Ave
Tripp, SD 57376

Oh, and lest I forget – GO JACKS!!

I was hearing word last night that a second candidate may be getting into the South Dakota State House Race here in District 7.

I heard through the grapevine that former State House member Carol Pitts has petitions out. Pitts served in the House between 2001-2002, and again from 2007-2010.

With Mayor Tim Reed in the race as well, that would fill the Republican House slate with two very strong candidates, giving the GOP the toughest slate here in years – which could put Democrat House Minority Leader Spence Hawley in the position of having a race far more difficult than he might have been planning for.

Stay tuned as this develops.

The word on the street is that Kathy Tyler is planning on being a candidate this year. For at least one of the races in District 4.

What I’m hearing is that she’s carrying petitions for both the State House in District 4, and the State Senate. It remains to be seen if she’s going to drop one of them, and given her election in 2014, the case might be made for her forgoing the process entirely.

Last election had her finishing third in a field of four, about 350 votes behing John Wiik, and about 825 or so behind State Representative Fred Deutsch. That came after a bruising election for Tyler, in which statements that she made regarding…. Well, I’ll just point out the post which went into detail about the campaign that couldn’t shoot straight:

In looking at the case against the re-election of one of South Dakota’s worst legislators, Kathy Tyler, you have to consider that isn’t just one dumb thing she’s said.

It’s several dumb things. Much of it on tape.

First, there was the radio ad from the guy who Kathy tried to unilaterally overturn the court case he won on the phone, because she was a legislator.

Next, we had a re-visitation of Tyler’s explanation as to why she supported abortion – Because Jesus was pro-Choice.

And in the latest, which came out on radio today, Kathy Tyler explains that her vote against the new SDSU Swine Facility was actually “a vote of, uh,  a retaliation type of thing.”

Read that here.

Tyler’s problem is that none of the dumb things she said are going to go away, particularly the “Jesus was pro-choice” comment she made in a legislative committee hearing.

Even two years later, it’s kind of difficult to explain that kind of thing away. And instead of campaigning with the power of incumbency behind her, she’s got the extra burden of convincing voters that they need to turn out the people they’ve chosen in favor of the “Jesus was pro-choice” – “retaliation vote” lady.   I just don’t think that’s going to happen.

So, the word on the street is that Kathy Tyler may be back running for office again.

Or at least, she may be back for another shellacking.

Gov. Daugaard Seeks Advisory Opinions On Senate Bill 136 And Senate Bill 159

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard has requested advisory opinions from the South Dakota Supreme Court on Senate Bill 136, “An Act to permit certain cropland along lakes, rivers, and streams to be assessed as noncropland” and Senate Bill 159, “An Act to provide a tax credit to insurance companies that contribute to an organization providing educational scholarships to certain students.”

Both bills were passed by the South Dakota State Legislature and are currently under the Governor’s consideration.

Article V, section 5 of the South Dakota Constitution authorizes the Governor “to require opinions of the Supreme Court upon important questions of law involved in the exercise of his executive power.”

“Questions about the constitutionality of each of these bills were raised during the legislative debates,” said Gov. Daugaard. “My request for advisory opinions will allow these questions to be resolved before I decide whether to sign or veto these bills.”

The Governor is required to take action on both SB 136 and SB 159 by Saturday, March 26, 2016. The state Legislature will return for a final day on Tuesday, March 29, to consider any vetoes.

-30-

In two weeks, plus one day, we’re going to know 95% of the people running on the ballot this year, excepting those few stragglers who will be sending in their petitions via registered mail.

Aside from Democrats falling woefully short of the 105 people Ann Tornberg boasted would be running on the Democrat ticket for legislature, does anyone have any predictions?

A reader pointed out the following facebook page for Drew Dennert, who is apparently running for the open seat in District 3 being vacated by Al Novstrup who will be handily winning the State Senate seat in his district this coming November.

I heard an interesting rumor today.

I was told that down in District 19 (Bon Homme, Douglas, Hanson, Hutchinson, McCook) for the senate seat being vacated by Bill VanGerpen, a primary is afoot.

As was told to me, on one side is former US Senate Candidate Stace “Hell No” Nelson who has supposedly been gathering signatures to run for the office.

On the other side is a primary opponent who in the process of announcing.

Are we ready for that fight?

And is the State Senate ready for the possibility of Nelson’s returning to the legislature to join that body?

Rounds Statement on Senate Passage of Bill to Combat Prescription Drug Addiction

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today voted for S. 524, the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) of 2016, which passed out of the Senate today by a vote of 94-1. CARA seeks to address the growing opioid abuse epidemic in the United States by authorizing state and local grants for treatment, stronger law enforcement and recovery programs. Opioids is another term for heroin and prescription painkillers.

“The number of Americans addicted to heroin and prescription painkillers has more than doubled in the last 15 years,” said Rounds. “It is a devastating dependency that has spread to all corners of our society, impacting not only those who suffer from addiction, but their friends, families and entire communities. Fortunately, opioid addiction is treatable and preventable. Our bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act provides a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to help Americans combat this epidemic beginning at the local level. By expanding prevention efforts, enhancing support for law enforcement and increasing access to treatment, we can begin to reverse and stop the growing epidemic of opioid addiction.”

The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 will:

• Expand prevention and educational efforts—particularly aimed at teens, parents and other caretakers, and aging populations—to prevent the abuse of opioids and heroin and to promote treatment and recovery.
• Expand the availability of naloxone to law enforcement agencies and other first responders to help in the reversal of overdoses to save lives.
• Expand resources to identify and treat incarcerated individuals suffering from addiction disorders promptly by collaborating with criminal justice stakeholders and by providing evidence-based treatment.
• Expand disposal sites for unwanted prescription medications to keep them out of the hands of our children and adolescents.
• Launch an evidence-based opioid and heroin treatment and intervention program to expand best practices throughout the country.
• Launch a medication assisted treatment and intervention demonstration program.
• Strengthen prescription drug monitoring programs to help states monitor and track prescription drug diversion and to help at-risk individuals access services.

###

Assisting Indian Country in the Fight
Against Drug Epidemic a Priority for Thune

“Tackling the drug epidemic from all sides – from helping the victims of addiction dealing with their disease to supporting the law enforcement officers fighting the traffickers who put these drugs onto the streets – is the only way we’re going to succeed.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after the Senate passed S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. This bipartisan legislation expands drug prevention efforts, supports law enforcement, combats overdose, and expands access to treatment.

“It’s no secret that addictive substances like misused prescription painkillers or other illegal drugs like heroin and meth can have a devastating effect on people,” said Thune. “They tear apart families, crush hopes and dreams, and ruin lives.

Tackling the drug epidemic from all sides – from helping the victims of addiction dealing with their disease to supporting the law enforcement officers fighting the traffickers who put these drugs onto the streets – is the only way we’re going to succeed.

“Though I’m thankful this important legislation passed the Senate, I’m disappointed Democrats blocked my amendments that would have benefited Indian Country. We must ensure that Indian Country is not forgotten, which is why I remain committed to finding a path forward to ensure our tribal citizens have greater access to these programs and initiatives.”

###