Author: @SoDakCampaigns

This is unacceptable. And there are some people who need to go to jail for a very long time.

Shocking scenes in D.C. show Trump supporters smashing windows and breaking inside the Capitol building, which is on lockdown. The Mayor has announced an emergency curfew. pic.twitter.com/LIc2qMIlqp

— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) January 6, 2021

Rioters have broken into the Capitol building and are fighting law enforcement. Video by @ElijahSchaffer: pic.twitter.com/vfafgJU6YX

— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) January 6, 2021

Johnson Statement on Counting of Electoral College Votes

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued a statement amid the U.S. House and Senate counting of the Electoral College votes. Johnson will vote to uphold the election results that were certified, recounted, and audited from various states across the nation.

“Like many South Dakotans, I am frustrated with how certain states handle their elections, and in the weeks following the 2020 election, I supported the president’s right to his day in court. Those legal challenges were filed in dozens of state and federal courts, but failed to overturn any votes.

“The Constitution is more important than my personal political views or my political popularity. There is no constitutional basis for Congress to substitute its judgement for that of the states and courts. There is only one sentence in the Constitution that addresses Congress’s role on Jan 6. It states:

“The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted.” 

“The only person performing an official act is the President of the Senate, who counts the votes. Other than being present, there is no constitutional role for Congress. Congress is instructed to act as witness, not judge. I cannot seize powers not legally provided to me. That is tyranny.

“Our state would raise hell if the Nancy Pelosi-controlled House overturned South Dakota’s election results for President Trump. Our founders knew well the grave risks associated with concentrating power in Washington, D.C., especially the power to select our president. They placed that power with the states, and just as I would resolutely defend the results of South Dakota’s elections from federal interference, I cannot overturn the legally-certified election results of another state and its voters.”

Johnson invites South Dakotans to hear from him directly during a Thursday night Telephone Town Hall at 7pm CT/6pm MT. Dial 833-946-1543 to join the call.

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Watching the results come in for Georgia last evening seems to be setting the stage for a tough couple of years. Warnock is projected to defeat Loeffler in Georgia Senate runoff. The Ossoff versus Perdue is race too close to call, but in Ossoff’s favor at the moment. The electoral college vote will likely have some silly drama, but will ultimately confirm November’s election of Democrat Joe Biden.

To be honest, it’s looking a little rough for the home team at a national level.

Statewide, it’s a far rosier view, with Senator Rounds, Congressman Johnson & Commissioner Gary Hanson being sworn in already, and next week we will see the most Republican legislature in my adult lifetime.

We won here. We won in a pronounced manner. For Republicans in South Dakota, the important thing to do is to take our disappointment over the national results this past election, and channel them into productive action in 2022. We need to get to work to re-elect Senator John Thune, Congressman Dusty Johnson, and Governor Kristi Noem. We need to return a strong leadership contingent to the constitutional offices & the Public Utilities Commission.

Yes, there are differences and heartache over the election. Some people are grousing a lot on facebook. And it might be tempting to find someone to blame, nevermind the fact we did the job we needed to do in 2020 in South Dakota.

I can’t help but notice that the same people grousing and calling to do things such as primary John Thune or Dusty Johnson this year are some of the same who called for it in previous years.

Er..they did see how strongly Dusty Johnson won in the 2020 primary, didn’t they?  And in the case of the primary against Dusty this last election, it showed one of the problems with listening to the chattering complainers on facebook and elsewhere. They’re not organized. They can’t raise money, they’re ineffective in running a campaign and winning votes.

If you look back to when it comes to the rubber hitting the road, when things might have been getting a little tight, and forward momentum has needed to happen for the SDGOP and its candidates, it has been people such as Senator John Thune who have stepped up and made sure boots are on the ground in South Dakota and elsewhere for GOP candidates. And Congressman Dusty Johnson has continued in that tradition.

That’s the strongest team that Republicans can put on the field.

After today, the dust will start to settle on 2020.  So, it’s time to get to work on 2022 and do our best to prepare ourselves to win elections.

Rounds Statement on the Formal Count of the Electoral College Votes by Congress

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) made the following statement on tomorrow’s formal count of the Electoral College votes by Congress:

“Tomorrow’s vote will be one of the most consequential votes I’ll likely take as a U.S. Senator. 

“If you’ve noticed, I have not joined the chorus of those for or against an objection. Today, those objections do not exist, they have not been shared, and there’s literally nothing to consider until we have a chance to hear the arguments for and against. The bottom line is that I’m keeping an open mind and I look forward to seeing the evidence to support the objections that are being proposed. Ultimately, the Constitution, not political expediency, will guide my decision making.

“I wholeheartedly support an independent investigation into the 2020 election. Since the current approach from several of my Republican colleagues requires the Democrat-controlled House to agree with them, it is dead on arrival. I’m interested in restoring faith, certainty and transparency for the American voter. And, unless we get to the bottom of these allegations, I fear Americans’ faith in our electoral process is in great jeopardy.”
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Nelson elected to lead South Dakota Public Utilities Commission

PIERRE, S.D. – Commissioner Chris Nelson was elected chairman of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission today, Jan. 4, 2021, at the commission’s regular meeting in Pierre, South Dakota. Commissioner Kristie Fiegen was elected vice chairperson. The third member of the panel is Commissioner Gary Hanson.

Nelson was appointed to the PUC in January 2011 by Gov. Dennis Daugaard to fill a vacancy. He was elected in November 2012 to complete the remaining four years of that term and re-elected in November 2016 for a full, six-year term. Nelson served as the PUC’s chairman in 2012, 2015 and 2016 and as vice chairman in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2019 and 2020.

“Thank you for the trust you’ve given me to move into this position and lead over the next two years,” said Nelson. “It’s wonderful to work with two exceptionally dedicated commissioners. In addition to that, probably the highlight of leading this group is working with a staff that’s so absolutely dedicated to the wellbeing of the citizens of South Dakota and puts in the hard work to make that a reality. For a chairperson leading a commission, there’s nothing better,” he continued.

Nelson has a long history of public service. Prior to joining the PUC, he served two terms as South Dakota’s secretary of state. His career also included 13 years as the state election supervisor in the secretary of state’s office and two years as the uniform commercial code supervisor.

Nelson is a member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners where he is a leader on several committees including serving as a member of the association’s board of directors, chairman of the Broadband Expansion Task Force, co-chair of the Washington Action Committee,  Investment Committee member and a past chairman of the Committee on Telecommunications. He has also been appointed by the Federal Communications Commission to the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, representing the interests of NARUC.

Fiegen joined the PUC in August 2011 when she was appointed to fill a vacancy on the commission by Gov. Dennis Daugaard. She was elected to a six-year term in November 2012 and re-elected to a second term in November 2018. Her public service career also includes four terms as a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives and 17 years as president of Junior Achievement of South Dakota prior to joining the PUC.

Hanson reflected on Fiegen’s experience and contributions to the commission. “Having Commissioner Fiegen as a member of the commission has been nothing short of delightful. She has great wit. She shows great empathy toward consumers and has a strong understanding of how our decisions as a commission impact them. She has a very good head for the economics and challenges of everything from regional transmissions to rate making. It’s been a real pleasure having her on the commission,” Hanson stated.

Fiegen is a member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners’ Committee on Gas and Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety. She is also president of Southwest Power Pool’s Regional State Committee and a member of the Gas Technology Institute’s Public Interest Advisory Committee.

“I’m so blessed to work with two amazing commissioners. Commissioners that are respected regionally and across the nation. They’re ethical, they’re responsible and they do what’s right for South Dakota every single day,” Fiegen remarked.

View full biographies of Commissioners Nelson, Fiegen and Hanson on the PUC website,www.puc.sd.gov.

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Governor Kristi Noem and BFM Release Comprehensive Annual Financial Report

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem and the Bureau of Finance and Management (BFM) released the State’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for fiscal year 2020. The CAFR is the audited financial statements for the state government.

“2020 presented unique challenges for everyone, including our state government. In South Dakota, we saw this challenge as an opportunity to maintain our fiscal integrity,” said Governor Noem.“Our culture of financial stability has proven once again that South Dakota is prepared for the best and worst of times.”

Once again, BFM, the Department of Legislative Audit, and other state agencies succeeded in issuing the CAFR by the end of the year. Highlights from the fiscal year 2020 CAFR include:

• The State’s total net position (net worth) is $7.4 billion – an increase of $371.9 million.
• The combined ending balance of the Budget Reserve and the General Revenue Replacement Fund was $215.9 million, an increase of $26.8 million.
• The State has maintained its AAA public issuer rating from Standard & Poor’s, Fitch Ratings, and Moody’s for the past four fiscal years. This represents the highest rating possible from all three bond rating agencies.

The CAFR can be viewed online at bfm.sd.gov/cafr, or for printed copies, contact the Bureau of Finance and Management at 605-773-3411.

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Johnson’s First Bill in 117^th Congress to Set Supreme Court at Nine 

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced a constitutional amendment which limits the size of the U.S. Supreme Court to nine Justices. In recent months, there have been calls to “pack the court” following the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

“Since 1869, our Supreme Court has had nine Justices,” said Johnson. “We are living in a hyper-partisan world and Democrat leaders have already called for additional seats on the court. The control of the Senate hangs in the balance and if Democrats are successful in Georgia, we could very well see efforts to pack the Supreme Court. We must preserve the impartiality of the Supreme Court and setting the court at nine will do just that. My constitutional amendment is more necessary than ever.”

Johnson discusses his constitutional amendment in front of the Supreme Court.

Johnson’s House Joint Resolution is cosponsored by Reps. Randy K. Weber (TX-14), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Mike Kelly (PA-16), August Pfluger (TX-11), Fred Keller (PA-12), David Joyce (OH-14), Brian Babin (TX-36), and John Ketko (NY-24). It is also endorsed by Freedom Works. Text can be found here.

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Protecting and Preserving South Dakota’s Agriculture and Natural Resources
By Governor Kristi Noem 

South Dakota’s values and beliefs are rooted in our agricultural heritage and our boundless natural resources. Together they drive our economy, feed our families, and provide world class outdoor recreational opportunities. We all have a vested interest in protecting and preserving South Dakota’s agriculture and natural resources for our kids and grandkids.

In August, I announced my plan to merge the Department of Agriculture (SDDA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) into one department – the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR). The goal is to better serve the citizens of South Dakota while taking advantage of synergies in state government.

I believe a diverse agricultural industry and a healthy environment are crucial to the health and well-being of our families. In fact, I know this firsthand, as a third generation farmer and rancher, and with an extended family where more of us farm than don’t. Along with Lieutenant Governor Larry Rhoden, a rancher himself, South Dakota is the only state in the country led by a farmer-rancher duo who personally understand every facet of this industry. My passion for strengthening agriculture in this state, paired with smart conservation of our natural resources, is part of my DNA.

The new department will continue to implement South Dakota’s long-standing agriculture and environmental regulatory programs while taking advantage of opportunities for our producers, conservationists, and environmentalists to work together towards our common goal: protecting and preserving agriculture and natural resources. By having our agriculture and environmental experts in one department, we will achieve the best outcomes for South Dakota.

Agriculture, conservation, and natural resource protection go hand-in-hand, and this new structure streamlines these functions in one department. For example, DANR will have a Livestock Services Program managing CAFO permitting, inspections, manure management planning, and dairy and egg licensing. These functions used to be split between two departments. Now, we will have a one-stop shop for producers, providing consistent regulatory oversight and assistance with permitting, engineering, compliance, and waste management. It also allows us to cross-train inspectors and field staff, which would result in eliminating redundant inspections from multiple departments. By providing more effective and efficient services, we can help our producers focus less on government requirements and more on getting their work done.

We all know conservation is critical to successful agriculture and natural resource protection. It makes logical sense for SDDA Conservation staff to work with DENR’s Watershed Protection Program. Both programs provide on-the-ground resources for ag producers to protect our state’s environment. Also, by merging portions of the two agencies, we can create efficiencies and streamline the regulatory process. Combining inspectors and spill response resources from both departments makes DANR more responsive to environmental emergencies and complaints while also reducing redundancies.

Lastly, the merger will save taxpayers money. By reducing duplication of services, we can eliminate five full-time positions including a high-paying cabinet secretary position.

As you know, I’ve asked DENR Secretary Hunter Roberts to lead the new department. Hunter is a fifth generation South Dakota farmer and rancher. He loves South Dakota, understands the value of our natural resources, and knows our producers are the best conservationists.

This merger is good for South Dakota, our families, and our future. It puts us in the best position to protect and preserve South Dakota’s agriculture, environment, and natural resources, today and tomorrow.

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From Governor Kristi Noem via twitter:

It’s remarkable how quickly Democrats have embraced socialism. When I served in Congress, I knew that some members were socialists, but they’d never say it publicly. They do now.

We need to educate our kids on how socialism destroys lives, how it is contrary to American values.

— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) January 4, 2021

For Republicans who have attended GOP dinners for years, autographed Kristi Noem memorabilia has been selling for some time to help raise money for the local organizations while she served in Congress and during the first two years of her administration as Governor.

If you were one of those who have purchased those items in the past – you might want to review what you have on your shelf or in your memorabilia collection in the closet, as the possibility that the South Dakota Governor might enter the 2024 Presidential election has her autographs and other items selling for hundreds of dollars on websites such as eBay.

Searching on the popular Internet auction website for “Kristi Noem” brings up several dozen items currently for sale at prices ranging from $12.50 for a glossy poster that might have been produced from a file photo of the Governor to an autographed and authenticated photo of Governor Noem being offered for nearly $300, as well as a signed and certified baseball being sold for just under $250 (plus shipping).

Think it’s just “overeager” sellers thinking they have potential gold and putting a high price on items? Guess again, as in the last 60 days, a number of the Noem items are selling at generous prices, with disclosed sales of autographs of $75 and $85 each, and undisclosed sale prices that may be higher than listed.

Kristi isn’t the only South Dakota politician whose fame is being traded on the internet, with items from John Thune, Dennis Daugaard and others having their memorabilia regularly bought and sold. In fact, McGovern presidential items are quite commonly traded for.

But given Governor Noem’s increased national profile due to the Governor’s insistence on South Dakota being open for business during the COVID pandemic, as well as acting as a very popular campaign surrogate for Donald Trump and others, her memorabilia seems to be enjoying increased sale prices as supporters and speculators do their best to drive up demand for items associated with one of the state’s most popular political figures.

So dig out those Kristi Noem buttons and autographed cowboy hats – you might be sitting on a hot political collectible in the lead up to the 2024 presidential contest!