Author: @SoDakCampaigns

The Democrat opponent of incumbent Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken, Taneeza Islam, also has a commercial out for the Sioux Falls Mayor’s race:

In case you’ve missed them on the evening news, Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken has two 60 second campaign commercials out encouraging his re-election:

I had a terrible server crash a week or so back, where I lost one of my e-mails and several websites for a time. As they were recovering things, I was going through what I had on-line, and I stumbled across this postcard that was produced in 2012 against former Senator Pam Merchant who was running for Senate again in Brookings. You know her after serving as Executive Director for the Democrat Party to be now running for Sioux Falls City Council as Pam Cole:

Suffice it to say, the voters didn’t invite her back to the State Legislature back in 2012.

As the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine continues to escalate, you may have seen the wrenching picture of a Ukrainian family killed by Russian shelling – a mom and her two innocent children, struck down as they attempted to flee along a main evacuation route – an evacuation route that Russia intentionally attacked. Or you may have seen the pictures of the devastation after a maternity hospital fell victim to a Russian airstrike. These pictures and videos are heartbreaking, and the people of Ukraine are in my thoughts and prayers. I know they’re in yours, too.

The scenes in Ukraine are unreal. They are scenes that we thought had finally been left behind in the dust of European history, and in two short weeks, Vladimir Putin has wrought an unimaginable amount of devastation. The damage he has done will take years, if not decades, to rebuild. More than 2 million people have fled their homes and their communities, making this the worst refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. These have been dark days for Ukraine, but the devastation has been met with remarkable determination.

This is Ukrainians’ fight, and they are not shrinking from it. The Washington Post recently reported that more than 66,000 Ukrainians who were outside the country have returned to answer President Zelensky’s call to arms. That’s 66,000 Ukrainians who could have sat in safety outside Ukraine who have returned to help defend their country. Outnumbered as they are, the Ukrainian people are standing fast, and they are slowing down and, in many places, holding off the Russians. Soldiers and civilians alike have taken up arms to defend their nation, and it’s clear that the spirit of Ukraine, now roused, will not be extinguished.

But, no matter the resolve of the Ukrainian people, Ukraine cannot hold out alone. Without military, intelligence, and humanitarian support from other free nations, Ukraine may fall. We can’t sit by and let that happen. While I believe the Biden administration was too slow to send aid to Ukraine and sanction Putin in the lead-up to Russia’s attack, significant military resources are now flowing to Ukraine from the United States and NATO partners, and Ukraine is imposing a heavy cost on its invaders.

The United States did the right thing by banning American imports of Russian energy. Every dollar we send to Russia is a dollar that it can use to prosecute its war in Ukraine. Now we need to focus on developing our energy resources here at home – all of them, both conventional and alternative – to ensure that our nation never again has to depend on countries like Russia for essential energy supplies.

I recently heard directly from President Zelensky on a Zoom call, and he made a powerful appeal for help from the West.

We need to do everything we can to keep Ukraine in this fight – including helping to pave the way for Ukraine to get the air defense resources it needs.

After all that Ukraine has managed to do, it would be a tragedy to see the country lose its fight because the United States and other NATO countries could not agree on how to get the Ukrainians the defensive equipment they need. And, while we should be cautious about what Putin may choose to do as his losses grow and his off-ramps dwindle, the United States and NATO cannot allow Moscow to dictate our actions. To do would not only be to surrender Ukraine, but to give the green light to despotic governments the world over, from China to Iran.

Ukrainians are fighting to be a free people in a free country, and I think their fight is very close to the hearts of the American people. We must do whatever we can to support them.

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Last week, I was informed by Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 23 Director Robert McDivitt and the Biden Administration of recommended in-patient service closures that follow a multi-year nationwide review of (Veterans Affairs) VA services.

The recent recommendations call for the following:

SIOUX FALLS Recommendations

• Reduce ER capacity to an urgent care
• Continue expansion of outpatient services
• Add 30 nursing home beds
• Close the Wagner Community-Based Outpatient

BLACK HILLS Recommendation

• Invest in the Rapid City market with a new VA Medical Center and Community Living Center
• Relocate psycho-social rehab from Hot Springs to Rapid City
• Existing Hot Springs and Fort Meade campuses would be limited to out-patient care.
• Close all in-patient services at Hot Springs and Fort Meade and re-locate to Rapid City.

Over the past week, I conducted a Facebook and email survey asking people if they support the recommended closures. The results are an overwhelming no – that’s no surprise. More than 94% of South Dakotans that responded to the poll voted to KEEP the VA services as they are now and not reduce in-patient services like the recommendation calls for.

I want you to know I do not support the recommended closures and service reductions.

This is not the first time the VA in Hot Springs has been recommended to close or reduce services. In 2017, the VA signed a Record of Decision to vastly reduce services at the facility. However, that decision was rescinded by then-VA Secretary Robert Wilkie in March 2020. Nearly two years ago to the day, I appeared with then-VA Secretary Robert Wilkie when he came to the Hot Springs VA to announce the VA would remain open and there would be no reduction in services for veterans.

South Dakota has been fighting to keep the VA services for over ten years. Our veterans deserve better than policies and recommendations that create uncertainty every couple of years. In South Dakota, promises mean something. This is a betrayal to the Hot Springs, Wagner, and Fort Meade communities and their veterans. If the commission is going to move forward with reducing services, they should face the people of Hot Springs, Wagner, Fort Meade, and Sioux Falls and explain why they believe these services should be scaled back.

The Hot Springs VA has served veterans for more than 100 years. Since opening its doors, the name on the door has changed, the government branch has changed, and the leadership has changed, but service to veterans has remained constant. I will continue to work with the rest of the South Dakota delegation and the community to save our VAs. Our veterans deserve high-quality, accessible health care.

So, I had mentioned in a prior post where I ran down the races, that in District 12, one of the Candidates, Minnehaha County GOP Vice-Chair Cole Heisey might have to reckon with some things he’s written in the past..

Young Republican and 2020 D15 Candidate Cole Heisey may find himself challenged by his time spent helping the Proud Boys with their rally after the last election, as well as some statements he’s made regarding women. 

..where I linked to a column he had written in the USD Volante back in 2013 where he apparently found monogamy inconvenient and called it “outdated,” noting:

I especially would like to make the case that monogamous relationships are outdated.

and..

People evolve at different rates, and because of this, at some point one needs to let go of people to meet others at their own level of maturity. It is futile to try to change others.

Read that column by District 12 Candidate Cole Heisey here.

And apparently, I struck a  nerve, because Cole decided to unload on me on facebook, noting in part:

“It has recently come to my attention that Dakota War College, the blog authored by Pat Powers, has again made a dig at me by associating me with a decade old article I wrote back in early college for the school newspaper.”

And he devoted about 4 more pages deriding me, and complaining that he doesn’t like it when people point out his own words.

But the best part of his complaint was when he said “I suppose he can’t find much fault in where I stand now.”

(Okay, I can’t resist.) Hold my beer. 

Here are two examples of where I might find fault with where he stands now.

First, I can say I find fault where he was standing at the “stop the steal” rally in Sioux Falls on January 2, 2021, surrounded by the state chapter of the Proud Boys who worked with him on the rally:

Yes. I can say that I have a problem with that.

Or, I might find fault with more recent words..

I also have a problem with someone who wants to run as a Republican candidate to represent constituents, some of whom who have intellectual disabilities, calling things “retarded.”

So there. Hopefully I have answered Cole’s concerns over finding fault with not just things he’d written a few years ago, but there are things he’s done in more recent months that I can find an equal amount of fault with.

And Cole Heisey, candidate for District 12 House, can take comfort in the fact that I’ll be sure to continue to be diligent in pointing out the things he says or does that are valuable to find fault with.

Dakota Institute for Legislative Solutions Launches Billboard Campaign

Pierre, SD – Today, the Dakota Institute for Legislative Solutions (DakotaInstitute.net) purchased placements on digital billboards regarding the ongoing impeachment hearings involving the Attorney General.

This was not something I expected to hear about this afternoon. Readers have been sending me notes today regarding several billboards going up in Sioux Falls this weekend scolding impeachment committee members over foot-dragging in the matter of their review.

Billboards have been posted at the corner of 12th and Kiwanis at the Lewis drug parking lot and on east 10th street Sioux Falls next to Eastway Bowling Alley blasting Steve Haugaard, Spencer Gosch, Jon Hansen and Democrat Jamie Smith asking what they “are trying to hide,” and demanding that they “Impeach the Attorney General Now.”

The Billboards are paid for by the Dakota Institute for Legislative Solutions, which had sent out a press release earlier this week explaining how they were going to “educate citizens on how their representatives vote on critical issues, frame the debate to advance conservative principles, and generate support for Governor Noem’s agenda.”

And they are definitely framing the debate.

After the first 15 Districts, I had to take a break… mainly because I was hitting my work hours, and needed to actually do something.  But, now that I’m past the appointed hours of my toils, and I’m the most boring person in the world on Friday night, time to get back to the list, and who is running in the South Dakota State Legislative races as of March 11th.

 

District 16

Senate:

Jim Bolin (R)
Nancy Rasmussen (R)

House: 

Kevin Jensen (R)
Richard Vasgaard (R)
Karla Lems (R)

Count off another 2 primary elections here, with Bolin v Nancy, and the Jensen – Vasgaard – Lems race. BUT, there are also rumors of intrigue here. I’ve heard Bolin could drop out, and Jensen move up, leaving Vasgaard and Lems to the House. But they seem to be under some impression that Nancy Rasmussen does not know how to campaign. She does, and she’s pretty good at it. But, that’s all a lot of water cooler chatter at the moment.

 

District 17

Senate:

Sydney Davis (R)

House: 

Bill Shorma (R)
Chris Kassin (R)

There are rumors of a Democrat jumping in the Senate race, but until it happens, I’m not going to speculate for reasons that will become apparent if it happens. Whether it does or not, State Rep. Sydney Davis will beat the tar out of all comers.  In the House, there’a solid lineup of Republicans, who might be hard to beat. There’s rumor of a House primary, but they’d need to bring a pretty strong candidate to even have a shot at taking second place.

 

District 18

Senate:

Jean Hunhoff (R)

House: 

Ryan Cwach (D)
Mike Stevens (R)
Julie Auch (R)

There were and still are rumors that Ryan Cwach might run for Senate, but I think either scenario is not necessarily looking good for him. Jean Hunhoff is as strong as ever, and would walk all over him. With two Republicans in the House, he may find himself challenged just to stay in.

 

District 19

Senate:

Kyle Schoenfish (R)

House: 

Jessica Bahmuller (R)
Caleb Finck (R)
Drew Peterson (R)

Is Kyle going to get off this election with a safe ad unchallenged seat? Could be. Because the House is going to be a battle royale to watch with Caleb Finck, Drew Peterson, and Jessica Bahmuller.  I wouldn’t even try to pick a winner. All know how to campaign, and all will fight hard.

 

District 20

Senate:

Joshua Klumb (R)

House: 

Ben Krohmer (R)
Lance Koth (R)
Jeff Bathke (R)
Alex Borman (D)

Democrats might dig up a candidate at the last minute to run for the senate.. or maybe not. Here’s another seat where the incumbent could get off scott free.  Lance Koth is an incumbent, so he’s fine, the question is who will come in second.

 

District 21

Senate:

Erin Tobin (R)
Dan Andersson (D)

House: 

Marty Overweg (R)
Rocky Blare (R)

No action in the house, and… Oh.. is that the same Democrat whose rear-end Erin Tobin kicked by over 5600 votes in 2020?  Apparently there is no action in the Senate either.

 

District 22

Senate:

David Wheeler (R)

House: 

Roger Chase (R)
Lynn Schneider (R)

All is silent in D22. There were rumors that Lana Greenfield might run for Senate after being termed in the House, but I think those have faded.

 

District 23

Senate:

Bryan Breitling (R)

House: 

Spencer Gosch (R) – at the moment
JD Wangness (R)

As noted in an earlier story, there are rumors that Spencer Gosch might be considering a run for higher office. And, he’s refusing to say.  Supposedly, he is rumored to be carrying both petitions, one for the House and one for the Senate.   If he triggers a Senate primary, Bryan Breitling is sure to be well funded. If he remains in the House, given the lack of interest at the moment, he’s probably in a safe seat with Charlie Hoffman’s departure.

 

District 24

Senate:

Mary Duvall (R)
Jim Mehlhaff (R)

House: 

Will Mortenson (R)
Mike Weisgram (R)
Mary Beth Weinheimer (R)

Pierre and it’s neighboring area became a hotbed of primary challengers this year. In the Senate, Mary Duvall only came in second once – in her first House race in 2012, when her opponent had the Rounds last name, and they both beat incumbent Mark Venner.  Ever since, she’s been the first place finisher.  Facing conservative challenger Jim Mehlhaff, a Pierre City Commissioner, this will be a hard fought primary, but I think Duvall has the edge. The District has added Haakon County and she has a strong ag background. Keep watching this one.

And in the House, Mary Beth Weinheimer is jumping in to challenge incumbent House members Will Mortenson and Mike Weisgram. My biggest question would be, “Why?” Both are strong incumbents, they are very, very good campaigners, and there’s no constituency that would be mad at them. This challenge seems more about ambition, and claiming be be more conservative than the conservatives that are already there.  I don’t think this goes anywhere.

 

District 25

Senate:

Marsha Symens (R)
Kevin Crisp (R)
Lisa Rave (R)

House: 

Randy Gross (R)
Jon Hansen (R)
Tom Pischke (R)

Here’s another hotbed and focus of palace intrigue and rumors. In the Senate, Lisa Rave is challenging to run for the Senate seat she was denied when Kris Langer dropped out the race in 2020 and was replaced by Symens by precinct people. Lisa will run hard, and raise a lot of money, and has a lot of knowledge behind her.

However, it is rumored that Symens may drop out, and Tom Pischke may withdraw from the House race, and run for the Senate, which would leave just two running for the House. BUT.. Jon Hansen’s petition isn’t in yet. I’ve also heard speculation he may run skip running for the legislature for a constitutional office.  Any way you slice it, I think there might be changes to come in this lineup.

 

District 26

Senate:

Joel Koskan (R)
Shawn Bordeaux (D)

House: 

Rebecca Reimer (R – 26B)

First there was a primary with Christian Skunk & Joel Koskan in the Senate. Then there wasn’t, leaving Joel Koskan to run against Democrat Shawn Bordeaux. This district might be better for Republicans than in the past, which would be a plus for Koskan, who has run twice before and came within less than 500 votes at his closest.

Reimer is safe in the House, and the slate in 26A is yet to be set, so not much to say about the House race at this time.

 

District 27

Senate:

Foster Red Dawn (D)
Florence Thompson (R)
David Jones (R)

House: 

Liz May (R)
Peri Pourier (D)

Again, this District is said to be better than before for the GOP, and recruiting is still afoot, so watch for that House race to change.  But the Senate contest… David Jones should destroy “Flossie” a.k.a. Florence Thompson, who was a terrible candidate in her first outing in 2012.. But she came uncomfortably close in 2020, coming in third by 46 votes.  I’d better call David Jones and offer him any support I can give.

 

District 28

Senate:

Ryan Maher (R)

House: 

Oren Lesmeister (D – 28A)
Neal Pinnow (R – 28B)

Ryan Maher wins elections, and he will continue to do so, that is, if he’s even challenged at all.  Otherwise, unless Republicans can recruit in 28A, and Democrats in 28B, this is likely to be the outcome in the fall.

 

District 29

Senate:

Dean Wink (R)

House: 

Kirk Chaffee (R)
Gary Cammack (R)
Roger Gallimore (R)
Kathy Rice (R)

There’s chatter that former legislator Tom Brunner might jump in one of the races, but I think Wink is pretty solid in the Senate. If anyone is foolish enough to take him on, the former Philadelphia Eagles Left Defensive Tackle is not going to be out-campaigned.  In the House, it should be former Senate Majority Leader Gary Cammack, and incumbent Kirk Chaffee. There might be some mud thrown by challengers, but I don’t think this configuration is going to change.

 

District 30

Senate:

Julie Frye-Mueller (R)
Tim Goodwin (R)

House: 

Trish Ladner (R)
Lisa Gennaro (R)
Dennis Krull (R)
Patrick Baumann (R)
Gerrold “JR” Herrick (R)

In the House, that’s a big primary with lots of candidates.  Incumbent Trish Ladner should have some additional traction, but in a 5-way primary, who knows. Victory will go to the best campaigner.

In the Senate, please send your donations to Tim Goodwin at 12870 J Pine Road, Rapid City, SD 57702. Because Julie Frye Mueller is just awful. And I can tell you he will run a strong race against Mueller, whom hopefully we have seen the last of.

 

District 31

Senate:

Ron Moeller (R)
Randy Deibert (R)

House: 

Mary Fitzgerald (R)
Scott Odenbach (R)

With Tim Johns out, anything goes in the Senate Race, and it will be up to the best campaigner. Ron Moeller has been working it, and Randy Deibert comes from the County Commission, so people will have seen his name on the ballot before. Otherwise, likely no change in the House at this time.

 

District 32

Senate:

Helene Duhamel (R)

House: 

Becky Drury (R)
Steve Duffy (R)
Christine Stephenson (D)

Senator Helene Duhamel is in a safe seat at the moment.. and her husband happens to have also filed papers with the Secretary of State, specifically a statement of organization yesterday to run for District 32 House. Rounding out the GOP ticket is Becky Drury.  Word is that there are more Dems coming to the race, but for all the bluster of the local right wingers, they aren’t putting anyone up at this time, so this GOP ticket may stand.

 

District 33

Senate:

David Johnson (R)

House: 

Phil Jensen (R)
Dean Aurand (R)
Curt Massie (R)
Vince Vidal (D)

Is David Johnson going to get a bye? Unless Democrat Ryan Ryder who ran against him before wants to give him another go after his withdrawal from the Congressional race, it just may be. In the GOP House Primary, Aurand and Massie stand a good chance of the legislature finally getting rid of Phil Jensen, but he’s had tough races before and snuck back in.

 

District 34

Senate:

Michael Diedrich (R)

House: 

Mike Derby (R)
Jess Olson (R)
Christopher Twiggs (D)
Darla Drew (D)

I’m not sure why I’m bothering writing anything. Diedrich in the Senate, Derby & Olson in the House. There. Done. The Democrats are immaterial to the election in this District.

 

District 35

Senate:

Jessica Castleberry (R)

House: 

Tina Mulally (R)
Tony Randolph (R)
David Hubbard (D)

Jessica Castleberry might be one of the hardest campaigners in the Rapid City area, and she was tested within a few months of her appointment to the office in January of 2020. So far, nobody wants any of that.

Not Kevin Quick (a.k.a., Kevin the felon) who ran against her in the primary and lost 72% to 28%, or the weird Brian Gentry who took her on as an independent in the general and got House members Tina Mulally and Tony Randolph to become traitors to the GOP and endorse him in that race.   It didn’t matter, as Jessica dispatched Gentry definitively by 2300 votes, 62% – 38%.

Speaking of the GOP’s quisling D35 House members Mulally & Randolph, the word is that there could be more Republicans entering this contest.  We can hope. (If anyone in D35 is interested, drop me a note).

And that’s where the races site as of March 11th, 2020. The deadline is March 29th at 5pm, so hang on to your seats –  it’s going to get bumpier!