Author: @SoDakCampaigns

From facebook, Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken briefs his constituents about the parking ramp project that he inherited from the previous administration:

Came across this old tweet yesterday..

I guess SDDP Vice Chair Randy Seiler has been an asset to recently resigned SDDP chair Paula Hawks. As he ‘supports’ a search for her replacement..

(Aren’t vices supposed to take over when their leader resigns? Just asking)

With fewer than 60 days until candidate 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 their tool boxes as they prepare for their run.

Along those lines, the South Dakota Republican Party is involved with two candidate schools that are happening in coming weeks.

In Rapid City, The Pennington County Republican Party is hosting the Leadership Institute for a Candidate Development on Saturday, December 7 from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.    Find out more about the training here.

In Sioux Falls, the South Dakota Republican Party is hosting the SDGOP Candidate School on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 8 AM – 4 PM at Sioux Falls First, 2000 S 1st Ave, in Sioux Falls.

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.   Find more out about the Sioux Falls workshop here.

The cost for either workshop is $35, and participants may sign up and pay their registration fee for either workshop by visiting the SDGOP’s registration page in WinRed here.

Sheldon Osborne over at Sioux Falls Drinking Liberally is claiming this weekend that things are not as dire as they seem with the South Dakota Democrat Party, and that naysayers will soon be eating political crow:

With all of this, Randy has steadied the SDDP ship and set it on a course which should revitalize it going into the 2020 campaign season. I hope Randy remains in a leadership position in the SDDP.

And for those who wonder about the financial position of the SDDP, it is not nearly as dire as some would have you believe. Yes, it has a small amount of debt, less than $30,000.00, which is not unusual for a political party following a hard fought gubernatorial election. But, its monthly revenue should exceed its now pared down monthly expenses by several thousand dollars even without the additional contributions it normally receives and which it has every reason to believe will continue. Those in the South Dakota Republican Party gleefully writing the SDDP’s obituary may soon be forced to eat some proverbial political crow.

Read it here.

Well, that’s a pretty bow they’re trying to put on it. But.

Democrats claim there is a “small amount of debt.”  But, I can’t help but wonder about the over $25,000 in impermissible contributions as per the FEC? And the small matter of an upcoming fine that has yet to be assessed?

They can gussy up that pig all they want. But even if they can find a new chair, SD Dems still have a lot of issues still oinking in the background.

Former Republican State Legislator Gene Abdallah has passed away, and is remembered tonight by his friends and colleagues in this article by the Argus Leader:

Abdallah, 83, was the longest-serving U.S. Marshal in South Dakota history and served as head of the South Dakota Highway Patrol for five years. He also served 12 years in the South Dakota Legislature, in both the House and Senate.

“Gene was a South Dakota institution,” Gov. Kristi Noem said in a statement. “He was a force to be reckoned with and a lifelong supporter of our state’s law enforcement. We served together in the State Legislature… he was a friend. He will be missed.”

Russ Janklow, a Sioux Falls attorney who knew Abdallah well, said his impact on South Dakota law enforcement is unmatched.

Read the entire article here.

My apologies in advance for the brain cells you’re going to lose processing this.

Pot Petition leader Melissa Mentele is claiming on social media on the KELOLand news facebook page today that after repeated and finally exhausted appeals, the execution of death row inmate Charles Rhines is being scheduled on Monday because the state is intentionally trying to overshadow her effort.

Mentele actually has the temerity to claim the execution was scheduled for Monday because “The execution was scheduled to ensure that this news over shadowed the news of the ballot question committee turn ins.”

Wow.  So, putting someone to death who committed one of the more brutal crimes in recent state history after sitting on death row over 25 years is all about her ballot measure?

No words.   Except, a good reminder that this is who is trying to legalize marijuana in the state.

South Dakota Democrats are talking to the Rapid City Journal tonight about Paula Hawks’ resignation. Or.. not talking, as it seems there’s an atmosphere of people not really wanting to start clutching the hot potato of the Democrat Party Chairmanship:

Seiler, of Fort Pierre, was the party’s nominee for attorney general last year but lost to Republican Jason Ravnsborg. Seiler previously served as U.S. attorney for South Dakota. When asked why he does not want to serve as permanent chairman of the state party, Seiler expressed a desire for new and younger leadership.

“I think there are people out there who can appropriately fill that position and bring a new perspective to the party, and bring youth into party leadership, and lead us forward into 2020 and beyond,” Seiler said.

and..

Seiler said he has already spoken to Sutton and to former U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson and Johnson’s wife, Barbara, and other party leaders to seek their input and advice about the state party’s leadership situation.

Sutton did not immediately return a message from the Journal, and Seiler declined to comment specifically about whether Sutton might run or be drafted to run for the party chairmanship.

Read the entire story here.

What no one really seems to be talking about is the fact that the FEC hasn’t administered any penalties yet in reference to the audit that took place.

There were some impermissible contributions (as noted in the RCJ article), as well as whatever fine they decide to impose which have not been counted against their outstanding debt and obligations yet.  THAT will further affect their bottom line, and the new chair will have to expect they’ll have to clean that mess up, in addition to what’s already there.

No wonder they’re looking for new leadership. No one there is interested in grabbing the hot potato which will invariably burn whatever chair ends up taking the job..

Noem Announces District 23 Legislative Appointment

PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem today announced that she has appointed James “JD” Wangsness to represent District 23 in the South Dakota House of Representatives. The vacancy was created after Rep. John Lake was appointed to the District 23 Senate seat. Wangsness will serve during the 2020 legislative session.

“JD is a qualified, proven public servant,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “His background and experience have prepared him well for this position, and I’m confident he will be a strong voice for the people of District 23.”

“Serving in this capacity is a true privilege and honor that I take very seriously,” said Wangsness. “I look forward to working with other legislators to prioritize fiscal responsibility and promote economic growth for people in District 23 and across the state. Thank you, Governor Noem, for this opportunity.”

Wangsness, along with his wife, Melanie, and son, Ben, own and operate Diamond W Land and Cattle Company near Miller, South Dakota. He has also served as a Hand County Commissioner since 2013. From 2010 to 2012, Wangsness was part of the South Dakota Ag & Rural Leadership Class 6, a highly regarded leadership program based in Brookings. Wangsness holds a degree in farm management and economics from South Dakota State University.

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Johnson, Cheney, Lucas Introduce the Livestock Risk Management and Education Act

Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Liz Cheney (R-WY), and Frank Lucas (R-OK), introduced the Livestock Risk Management and Education Act, a bill that would provide grants to certain state land-grant universities to better equip livestock producers with risk management training. 

The Livestock Risk Management and Education Act would authorize the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to provide resources to improve livestock producers’ knowledge of futures markets to better manage market volatility. An understanding of futures contracts and risk management strategies will allow producers both large and small to better anticipate cattle prices. This new authority would allow land-grant universities, such as South Dakota State University, to partner with grower associations to more directly reach producers.

“Producers already face an uphill battle of unpredictable weather, understanding cattle prices doesn’t need to be an added challenge,” said Rep. Johnson. “The Livestock Risk Management and Education Act will supply producers with the tools needed to anticipate highs and lows in the futures markets. I’m proud to partner with my colleagues from cattle country to help best prepare our Ag economy and producers for the future.”

“I am pleased to join Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) in his legislation to provide funds to improve available resources and educational materials for producers from land grant institutions,” said Rep. Liz Cheney.“With ever-changing markets, this measure will enable land grant universities like the University of Wyoming to assist our producers in giving them the background they need to properly plan for the future.”

“While we’ve seen tremendous signs of a strong economy- witnessing record declines in unemployment and rising wages across America- sadly, our nation’s farm industry continues to face challenging times, leaving our producers vulnerable to disruptions provoked by market instability and other factors.

Livestock producers across the country have faced years of uncertainty and, like others, need every tool within their belt to manage risk and sharpen their ability to weather the market’s uncertainty. I’m proud to join Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) as a cosponsor of the Livestock Risk Management and Education Act, ensuring that our livestock producers have the resources they need to better utilize risk management strategies as they overcome market volatility. Our producers rise to the challenge day in and day out and the Livestock Risk Management and Education Act would help provide stability for those that feed billions across the globe,” said Rep. Frank Lucas.

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Governor Noem, Bryon Noem Launch First Gentleman’s Initiative

PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem and First Gentleman Bryon Noem today launched South Dakota’s first-ever First Gentleman’s Initiative on social media.



“As First Gentleman, my mission is simple: I want to celebrate South Dakota and all the things that make it special. I want to remind people of the hidden gems of our small towns – the places off the beaten path,” said First Gentleman Bryon Noem. “Our hometowns are the heartbeat of our state, and I want to highlight them. I want to remind people that South Dakota’s rural communities are some of the best places to raise a family or to start a business. I’m excited for this opportunity to listen to the stories of our people and our rural communities. Our small towns are our culture. They’re who we are. This is South Dakota.”

Bryon Noem’s initiative, entitled “This is South Dakota,” will highlight the role smaller communities play in South Dakota’s landscape and the importance of preserving the state’s rural culture. As part of this effort, Noem will travel to towns and educate his social community about the value of small town living and the stories found in rural settings.

“In our world today, I think we’ve gotten away from just listening. I want to bring that back,” said Noem. “Whether it’s hearing the stories of a veteran over morning coffee in a café… shooting hoops with the mayor and hearing about the good and tough times a town has gone through… eating ice cream and learning about the heritage of a community… our hometowns have stories to tell and I want everyone in South Dakota to hear them. That’s my goal.”

“Bryon has always been a champion for small towns and the heritage that is preserved in our life,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “This initiative is an incredible opportunity for people across South Dakota to learn more about the things that make our state so wonderful and the value smaller communities bring to our state. I’m also excited for people to get to know Bryon in a better way. He’s fun, kind, and deeply cares about South Dakota. I can confidently say he’s the best First Gentleman South Dakota has ever had!”

Follow First Gentleman Bryon Noem’s initiative on Facebook or Instagram. To learn more about his initiative and for a conversation with Bryon Noem, visit his webpage.

Additional audio clips of the First Gentleman discussing his initiative are available to download here.

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