Author: @SoDakCampaigns

Here we go with the hour or so of quibbling on resolutions, as Taffy Howard and Shawn Tornow are starting to drag this out..

The SDGOP State Convention is hearing resolutions this afternoon, and this gem would be the odd item on the agenda that no one has ever heard of before this weekend.

We’ll see how it will fit into things in today’s proceedings.

South Dakota Republican Party convention parliamentarian Justin Smith prepares for the Friday session to convene.

Governor Noem Announces Life.SD.gov

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced a new website, Life.SD.gov. The website helps mothers and their babies before birth and after by providing resources for pregnancy, new parents, financial assistance, and adoption.

“In South Dakota, we value life. But being pro-life doesn’t just mean caring about the unborn. It also means getting moms the help they need to be successful,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “We’re launching Life.SD.gov to give women the resources they need to navigate pregnancy pregnancy, birth, parenting, and adoption, if they choose.”

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Jackley: With Roe overturned, the fight is not over

Today’s landmark decision is a monumental win for the unborn and our country. Today the Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v Wade, which will give the decision of banning abortion back to state legislatures. With this in mind, we must not take anything for granted. Now we will face immense legal battles to defend any laws that ensure abortion is not legal in South Dakota.

When Marty Jackley served as Attorney General, he proudly championed efforts to protect the unborn. Marty worked to defend our Governors and the legislature in their efforts to protect the unborn. After serving as Attorney General, he’s been honored to serve as South Dakota Right to Life’s Attorney at no charge. Fighting for the unborn is more than just speech; it’s about putting in the work. It’s the hard work Marty Jackley did to defend pro-life measures as your Attorney General, and throughout tireless efforts to stop abortion in South Dakota.

“South Dakota’s next Attorney General will have the important responsibility of defending our Governor and Legislature in our fight to protect the unborn. I have a proven history of fighting and winning for life, and I’m ready for this tremendous responsibility.” Jackley stated.

Johnson Issues Statement on SCOTUS Roe v. Wade Decision

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization:

“I’ve never believed the Roe v. Wade decision – which was ultimately a personal privacy case – was a justification to take a human life,” said Johnson. “The unborn deserve protection.”

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I was starting to prepare a post about Brookings presenting for the site selection committee for the 2024 or 2026 GOP state convention, and then as you might have seen, news happened..

The Supreme Court on Friday struck down Roe v. Wade, eliminating the nearly 50-year-old constitutional right to abortion and handing states authority to drastically limit or ban the procedure.

The 6-3 decision by a majority of conservative justices to fundamentally reshape American society by overturning the landmark 1973 precedent is certain to ignite a political firestorm and yield a complex patchwork of state laws that will effectively block large swathes of the population from terminating unwanted pregnancies.

Read that here.

Well, that kicked a hornet’s nest in politics, on a Supreme Court vote that wasn’t even close, as they kicked the regulation of abortion back to individual states to make a decision on.

As you’ll see, South Dakota has already announced a special session, and I’m sure there will be far more news to come on this topic in coming weeks.

Gov. Noem and Legislative Leaders Announce Plans for Special Session to Save Lives, Help Mothers

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, in response to the United States Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, Governor Kristi Noem and leaders in the South Dakota State Legislature jointly announced plans for a special session later this year to save lives and help mothers impacted by the decision.

“Every abortion always had two victims: the unborn child and the mother. Today’s decision will save unborn lives in South Dakota, but there is more work to do,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “We must do what we can to help mothers in crisis know that there are options and resources available for them. Together, we will ensure that abortion is not only illegal in South Dakota – it is unthinkable.” 

South Dakota’s trigger law, found in SDCL 22-17-5.1, provides that as of today, all abortions are illegal in South Dakota “unless there is appropriate and reasonable medical judgment that performance of an abortion is necessary to preserve the life of the pregnant female.”

“South Dakota Right to Life enthusiastically applauds this decision.  We will continue helping women navigate pregnancies they did not plan for as we remind South Dakotan’s that the pro-life movement cares about women and their unborn children,” said South Dakota Right to Life Executive Director Dale Bartscher. “Our movement includes nearly 3,000 pregnancy help centers across the United States designed to provide free services for women where and when they need it, such as free ultrasounds, pregnancy tests, prenatal vitamins, baby clothing, formula, parenting classes, and additional practical and material help. These centers and our tens of thousands of volunteers will continue looking for more ways to help mothers in need.”

The exact dates of the Special Session will be decided promptly after discussion with legislative leadership. The Legislature intends to take the time to make sure South Dakota law protects the unborn and helps mothers.

“With the end of Roe, South Dakota can again work to have enforceable laws to protect our children,” said Senate President Lee Schoenbeck. “A special session is necessary because we could not have known this winter in session that we would have this opportunity and new responsibility to protect lives presented by the Supreme Court’s decision. Also, there will be more work to do on the many challenges a post-Roe world presents in regular session next January.”

“South Dakota recognizes that an abortion terminates the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being, and we celebrate today that the grave injustice that the United States Supreme Court perpetrated upon generations of Americans in Roe vs. Wade has ended and that South Dakota can once again protect the lives of all beautiful, innocent, unborn human beings,” said House Speaker Pro Tempore Jon Hansen. “I look forward to working with Governor Noem, my fellow members of the legislature, and all South Dakotans to defend life; support mothers and fathers; and promote strong, healthy families.”

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Thune Statement on Supreme Court’s Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade

“This decision to overturn Roe is long overdue, and it’s a historic day in the pro-life movement.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturns Roe v. Wade:

“This decision to overturn Roe is long overdue, and it’s a historic day in the pro-life movement,” said Thune. “Our country is dedicated to the defense of human rights, and I hope that we can further live up to that promise with the question of abortion now rightfully returned to the states, the democratic process, and to elected officials who can be held accountable to the American people for their decisions.”

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Great event at convention tonight at Joy Ranch with GOP National Chairperson Ronna McDaniel and Governor Kristi Noem.  I have a pile of pictures to sift through, but I wanted to share a couple of these.

 

(Obviously, Mike Derby is the photo-bomber for the night.)