Author: @SoDakCampaigns

SOUTH DAKOTA REPUBLICAN PARTY HOSTING CAMPAIGN SCHOOL FOR PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES AND CAMPAIGN WORKERS

Now that Legislative redistricting is complete, and with fewer than 60 days until petitions start circulating for political offices, the South Dakota GOP is active in not just recruiting Republican candidates for office, but in helping them equip them with the right tools as they prepare to run.

The South Dakota Republican Party is hosting a Campaign School put on by the Leadership Institute in Sioux Falls on Saturday, November 20th, 2021 from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM at the Military Heritage Alliance, 1600 W Russell Street.

Republican Party Chairman Dan Lederman noted this is the third or fourth time the group has worked with candidates on behalf of the party. “The GOP Candidate school focuses on preparing Republicans for service as elected officials and community leaders. Ideal attendees for the workshop are Republican party members who are looking to become more politically active, including candidates and campaign staff. Curriculum will include forming a campaign plan, running an effective communications strategy and fundraising to achieve victory.”

“The Republican Party recognizes that 2022 is going to be a competitive year with new legislative districts, so the time for candidates to build a good foundation for their campaigns is now,” Lederman said.

You can sign up for the Candidate Workshop here, and the cost for the workshop is $20 which includes lunch.

Governor Noem has signed the Sparrow map into law.

— Ian Fury (@IanTFury) November 10, 2021

“Other guy,” a.k.a. Patrick Schubert Jr., a previously announced candidate against Senator Thune filed his paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission today for his entrance into the contest for US Senate:

Patrick Schubert FEC Filing by Pat Powers on Scribd

Not sure how much farther he’s going to get beyond filing paperwork, but here it is for your review.

In the new District 3 map, there’s an interesting consequence of making the city whole as whole can be.

Based on their current home residences, State Rep Drew Dennert, State Rep Carl Perry, and State Rep Kaleb Weis are on a collision course to all face off against each other for two legislative seats.

Despite immense temptation to offer a comment, I should probably just leave it at that.

District 16 was one of the areas for redistricting where there was intense pushback from serving legislators in both the House and the Senate for the area. Why? Because it has the potential for a large primary from several players who want to be in Pierre.

Senator Jim Bolin represents the area in the Senate, as does State Rep Kevin Jensen in the House. State Rep Dave Anderson is termed out of the House, which means his only path forward – if he chooses to run – would be in the Senate.

Republican Karla Lems – who played a part in the formation of the anti-Thune “Primary John Thune” group earlier this year – announced her intention to run for District 16 House at the Lincoln County GOP Dinner.  But not so fast – with the reconfiguration District 17’s State Rep Richard Vasgaard shifts from his current District to the one North of him and now occupies that formerly vacated seat, making 2 incumbents in the House, and setting up a Primary.

But that’s not all!

Former State Rep. Nancy Rasmussen was also said to be looking to come back, and now she’s in District 16 too! With a very full House, and a 3-way House primary and an occupied Senate Seat, where someone might look to pick off Bolin.

That’s all assuming there’s no one else who jumps in to run in the primary.

Just a quick look at the new map, Sioux Falls is going to see a mild reconfiguration, with more districts, and a few clashes from the shuffling of the legislative deck.

District 2 – Belongs to Doug Barthel and Doug alone. He could potentially move up to an open Senate Seat, or sit comfortably in the House. 2 open seats for the claiming next November.

District 9 – Could be a problem for one person to move up as Wayne Steinhauer is in the Senate, and the Senate would be the only path forward for Mark Willadsen who is termed from House.  Bethany Soye and Rhonda Milstead would appear to be in the House together.

District 10 –Senator Maggie Sutton is in a District with House Democrat, Erin Healy. If Healy decides to jump up a chamber, here’s what could be a targeted District for the GOP for defense, as the Party makes sure it holds that seat. Otherwise, an open House seat is also available.

District 11 – Senator Jim Stalzer and Rep. Chris Karr are in this new District with an open seat.

District 12 – With Blake Curd termed out, fellow D12 resident Arch Beal is said to be running for the Senate, and State Rep. Greg Jamison is also in the House in this new District. There will be one currently unclaimed seat.

District 13 – Based on where they live, Rep’s Sue Peterson & Richard Thomason remain District-mates with Senator Jack Kolbeck.

District 14 – Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt is paired with an open House seat, with Sen. Larry Zikmund remaining in the Senate.

District 15 – No change. Democrat Rep’s Jamie Smith, Linda Duba and Sen. Reynold Nesiba would remain.

District 25 – Here’s one area where there could be a fight. Steve Haugaard is termed out of the House, and if he wants to remain (instead of trying to run for Governor) he would have to take on Marsha Symens for the State Senate.  There’s also the House – with currently a three-way contest between State Rep’s Randy Gross, Jon Hansen, and Tom Pischke for two legislative seats.

Did I miss anything?

As someone just texted me, “it only took 3 @#$%&!! Days.”

But after numerous attempts of members on both sides – primarily the House – to keep their existing Districts, Redistricting appears to be done after the House passed the Conference Committee Report, where people were still trying to keep a semblance of their current Districts.

Taffy Howard took some time for grandstanding, and tried to re-start all map-drawing negotiations, only to see that vote shot down on a vote of 39-29.

But when it came time for the main Conference Committee motion, which survived the hospitalization of one of the committee members, the end was inevitable.

And it has finally passed the House on a vote of 37-31.

Watch for maps and more coming your way once everything is signed, and the legislation is placed into law.

The “Sparrow” map currently being used for legislative redistricting negotiations is now out there and available for review:

This is definitely worth checking out, as this configuration seems to be the closest we’ve had to agreement between the House and the Senate.

I’ll dig into it further once (and if) we have approval, as once the lines are officially approved by both chambers is when the work begins.

Joe Kippley Announces Candidacy for Minnehaha County Commission

SIOUX FALLS, SD – Joe Kippley has filed to be a candidate for the Republican nomination for the Minnehaha County Commission. Kippley was born and raised in Brookings, SD. He has lived in Sioux Falls since 2016 and works at Sanford Health as an administrator within the Imagenetics program. Kippley is married to his wife, Amanda, and they have two children, Grace (3) and Rose (2).

Kippley’s campaign is pursuing one of three spots in the at-large Minnehaha County Republican Primary in June 2022. His campaign chair is former Minnehaha County Commissioner and former State Senator Tom Dempster. “Since Joe served as a legislative intern for the Republican Party in 2007, I have been impressed with his character, his work ethic, and his intelligence. I am happy he is answering the call to public service.” Dempster said.

Kippley’s campaign is focused on what a new generation of leadership can do to begin the work of Building for Tomorrow. This work requires a focus on key priorities such as:

• Building Community – Kippley believes that we must address the need for affordable housing, continue strong economic growth, and retain the character of our smaller communities as Minnehaha County uniquely provides the benefits of rural, suburban, and urban life in South Dakota.
• Building Trust – Through quality public service, Kippley believes we can restore faith in the key institutions that make our civic life so rich in our communities.
• Building Security – Kippley will make public safety and support for our law enforcement and judicial system a top priority.

“I look forward to the opportunity to meet and talk with many of my neighbors throughout the county. I am thankful for the support I have received thus far. It would be an honor to serve on the Minnehaha County Commission and help our county live up to its potential as we continue Building for Tomorrow,” Kippley said.

Please visit www.joekippley.com for more information.

It was paused after House Republican Leader Kent Peterson had a medical incident and was taken to the hospital on a stretcher. House Speaker believes Peterson will be back in the morning.

— Austin Goss (@AustinGossSD) November 10, 2021

Please keep the majority leader in your prayers tonight. Kent is a good guy.