@SoDakCampaigns - South Dakota War College

Lora Hubbel finally catching the hint on “The Hubbel Rule.” Threatens to show it to a lawyer. Not sure anyone cares.

January 2, 2015May 31, 2017 @SoDakCampaigns

If you recall as far back as September, I was wrting about a bylaw change that the SDGOP was proposing that we nicknamed “the Hubbel Rule.”

Here’s the rule itself, in case you’re wondering (my emphasis):

SECTION I

STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE

6. Vacancies

A. Events Causing Vacancy: The following events shall cause an officer of the State Central Committee to forfeit his or her office and the office declared vacant: death, resignation, failure to reside in the state, failure to be a registered Republican voter, filing any document with the Secretary of State or a county auditor to be an independent candidate in a general or special election in a race for a partisan public office in which a Republican has been nominated or has filed a petition for the Republican nomination, conviction of a felony, or violation of a bond required to be posted.

SECTION III

COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE

6. Vacancies

A. Events Causing Vacancy: The following events shall cause an officer of the County Central Committee or a precinct committeeman and committeewoman to forfeit his or her office and the office declared vacant: death, resignation, failure of an officer to reside in the county, failure of a precinct committeeman and committeewoman to reside in the precinct, failure to be a registered Republican voter, filing any document with the Secretary of State or a county auditor to be an independent candidate in a general or special election in a race for a partisan public office in which a Republican has been nominated or has filed a petition for the Republican nomination, or conviction of a felony.

The State Republican Central Committee passed the bylaw easily in October, likely because of the hate and bile Lora Hubbel was spewing towards the Republican Party. Fast forward about 3 months or so to a posting from facebook today:

Lora, where have you been for the last 6 months – Running against the Republican candidate? And now you’re feigning shock that they might consider doing something like this?

The SDGOP is “pure deception at best and evil at worst?” The more I see of the hate that resides within Lora, the more I don’t have a problem with the party putting this rule in place. Whatsoever.

Of course, her long-past-the-date-of-expiration tantrum gets laughable when she threatens to show her lawyer!.

(Cue dramatic music…. Dum Dum Dummmmm!) Not her lawyer!

The fact of the matter is that the purpose behind the rule change was to prevent a county GOP official from running as an independent against a Republican candidate. No Republican in the race? Fine.

But if you’re going to work against the Republican candidate, you need to step down from your seat because as a voting member of the county Republican Central Committee, you can vote in a manner which is in your interest, and against that of the Republican in the race.

Lora Hubbel had no problem engaging in utterly embarrassing and vile behavior during the election in an attempt to beat Republicans running for office. And several months later she’s surprised to find that she’s no longer part of the decision making process?

Boo hoo. And that’s the limit of my sympathy in this matter.

Ring in the New Year! What should we expect in politics? Peace and Quiet.

January 1, 2015 @SoDakCampaigns

As we all try to remember that it’s actually 2015 as we write a check, the year to come is brand new, and full of possibilities. At dakotawarcollege, it leaves us thinking about what to expect in the realm of politics over the course of the coming months, as we count down the new election cycle to 2016.

And actually, I think it’s going to be fairly quiet. There will be moments here and there, hints of races to come, and we can always expect the unexpected. But nothing like 2014, where a US Senate race dominated the tapestry.

So, gazing into the void, what do I think is coming?

During the legislative session: Highway improvements and the funding thereof are going to receive a large part of the discussion during session. I think we’ll see a minor divide between those who want to raise taxes, and those who have foresworn against any notion of it. But with gas tax revenues taking a hit due to a greater supply lowering prices, it’s going to be difficult to argue that the status quo will get us through another fiscal year.

As I noted in my top 10 list, I think we’ll see a freedom-of-religion act return for debate given the same-sex marriage lawsuit pending.

With even further reduced numbers in the House of Representatives, Democrats will have even less of an impact in what happens in Pierre. Speaking of which…

58-12 and 27-8? Representing fewer than 20% of the legislature, Dems are not going to see much of anything in terms of their legislation moving forward.

On the US Senate Front: John Thune is arguably the most popular politician in the state. He has $9 or $10 million in the bank. Democrats have no bench, period. And I don’t see that changing anytime soon. I don’t anticipate that we will see a Democrat challenger emerge to the Senator in 2015, if we see one at all.

While there is an independent talking about running in the form of Kurt Evans, who we featured here recently for what some would consider bigoted statements about Catholics, I don’t anticipate we’ll hear anything unless he withdraws from the race in 2015 as opposed to withdrawing in 2016. Basically, that dog isn’t going to hunt.

February will bring us some leftovers from the 2014 US Senate race as Annette Bosworth goes to court, but I don’t anticipate that’s going to be much more than getting through it, and getting the final results. The only surprise would be if she would be able to successfully avoid conviction.

I’m more curious to see if her husband will face similar charges once Annette’s are resolved one way or another.

Congressionally: I predict that Congresswoman Kristi Noem is going to run again in 2016, and Dems will largely leave her alone in the year leading up to it. They may attempt a challenger in 2016, but considering the shellacking she delivered to them in November, they’re in no hurry to deliver a lamb to the slaughter.

I know there’s more out there, and I don’t want to let this post get too long. What do you anticipate in the world of politics for 2015? Give us your predictions under the comment section.

South Dakota Sheriff-elect celebrates a little too much

January 1, 2015 @SoDakCampaigns

From KELOLAND:

Just days before taking office, Mellette County’s Sheriff-elect is charged with DUI, possession of a firearm while intoxicated and exhibition driving. According to a traffic ticket, the Jones County Sheriff pulled over Mike Blom early Saturday morning in Murdo and issued the three tickets.

Read it all here.

That could present a problem. Or, you at least know which county you want to travel to when you’re in the mood to par-tay!

Congresswoman Noem’s New Year’s Message

January 1, 2015January 1, 2015 @SoDakCampaigns

From my mailbox comes Congresswoman Kristi Noem’s New Years’ Message to constituents:

Less than 24 hours before we close the curtain on 2014 — another great year!

This year, we celebrated many important victories and milestones together: the Farm Bill was passed, my Black Hills Cemetery Act became law, spending was rolled back to 2005 levels, and a November victory set us on an even brighter path for 2015. I’m so touched by your friendship, your support, and all your encouragement and kind words along the way. It’s an honor to serve you in Congress, and I look forward to continuing my service in the New Year!

On behalf of my entire family, I want to thank you for making 2014 such a great year for us.

Have a safe and happy New Year!

-Kristi