From the Sioux Empire fair today:
The next time one of your Democrat friends rails on about Republicans not wearing masks, here’s a photo of US Senate candidate Daniel Ahlers at The Sioux Empire fair.
However, it may be a moot point. Because do you really need a mask if nobody is going to your fair booth?
Jonathan Ellis is writing more about a story that you learned about a week ago – the departure of Minnehaha County Treasurer Pam Nelson.
Nelson, along with a select few others, might be among the last relics of a time when Democrats actually tried to represent a majority of South Dakotans, as opposed to being SJW ‘warriors of the woke.’
Today, there are 154,420 registered Democrats compared to 264,439 Republicans, and Democrats haven’t won a statewide office in more than a decade. What changed?
When Nelson entered politics, the Democratic Party had a strong coalition that included blue collar labor and McGovern farmers. In Sioux Falls, there was the heavy influence of Irish Catholicism. Today, that coalition is gone, replaced by an ascendant strain of university-educated drones who can lecture for hours about white privilege without knowing what century the Civil War was fought. The ascendant strain obsesses about race and sexual orientation – identity politics – while neglecting, even scorning, the concerns of labor, unless you’re a teacher or member of a government union, one of the only areas where unions continue to flourish.
A self-written obituary of sorts appeared late last night.
After screaming at the city council in recent weeks, calling them hypocrites before the mayor asked security to remove him, as well as calling the people who voted for Alex Jensen and against Theresa Stehly stupid…
I have said if the election was held on April 14th it would have been a landslide for her. Why? Because the normal percentage of voters who pay attention to city politics would have shown up and cast the appropriate informed vote.
And..
A bunch of uninformed, partisan, primary voters showed up to elect a ‘real’ establishment Republican to the city council, not having a clue that this was a non-partisan race.
and…
Theresa lost because 98 more ignorant fools voted for the other guy.
..it sounds like one of Theresa Stehly’s most vocal allies, Scott Ehrisman, is declaring that he’s throwing in the towel.
Ehrisman, the author of the South DaCola blog, has long been held out as an example of the negative parts of the local blogosphere. And true to form, last night he claimed he’s quitting because everybody is stupid:
I guess the real reason I am quitting is because I don’t think I am making a dent in stopping or even slowing city government corruption. The elected officials over the past 6 years have become more corrupt, more unethical, hypocritical and quite honestly a lot dumber, unprepared, sophomoric and naïve.
As was put to me this morning by someone who noticed the post, saying “it’s his fault,” referring to his negativity, that they worked so hard to get Theresa defeated.
Regardless, who knew the Stehly defeat would come with fringe benefits? (Even though it sounds a lot like the last time he “quit.”)
For those who remember Tracy Saboe, who was a District 15 State Senate candidate in 2008, he was killed in Sioux Falls by an intruder who has been arrested for several attacks.
Alton Ray Bear, 45, shot and killed Tracy Saboe, 40, at 800 N. Prairie Avenue thinking the home belonged to another man, police Capt. Michael Colwill said. Saboe and Bear had a short altercation, and Bear shot him once in the head, Colwill said.
and…
Saboe had political aspirations in 2008, when he ran for the South Dakota State Senate as a Republican in the heavily Democratic District 15, which encompasses northern Sioux Falls. He lost to Democratic incumbent Kathy Miles.
The resolution from the South Dakota Republican Party resolutions committee in favor of recognizing Juneteenth failed as one of the last items of business at the State Party convention today.
Resolution #8, as found here on the Republican Party’s convention website, was voted on with little discussion, with opponents such as State Rep. Taffy Howard complaining it would create “a state with one color”…
..and proponents such as State GOP Treasurer Justin Bell arguing in favor of the recognition.
I was one of the votes in favor of it… so I can tell you I’m disappointed, and a bit confused. It was supported by our entire Washington delegation, Governor Noem, and President Trump. But apparently that didn’t matter.
As one of the last two states to recognize it, I can tell you that recognition is coming, no matter those who are choosing to oppose Governor Noem & President Trump on it.
If we can honor St Patrick’s Day, and other days celebrating the heritage and legacy of those who made this country, we can certainly support “the continued nationwide celebration of Juneteenth Independence Day to provide an opportunity for the people of the United States to learn more about the past and to better understand the experiences that have shaped the United States,” as stated in the resolution.
Governor Noem Appoints Crabtree to State Senate
PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem announced today that she will appoint Casey Crabtree of Madison to the South Dakota State Senate, representing District 8.
Crabtree serves as director of economic development and governmental affairs at Heartland Consumers Power District in Madison. He is currently the Republican nominee for the State Senate in the general election and is unopposed.
“I thank Casey for accepting this appointment,” said Governor Noem. “Casey has already shown his willingness to serve the people of his district and our state, and this appointment ensures that District 8 is fully represented over the coming months.
The Governor’s appointment of Crabtree is effective immediately and will continue through the end of 2020. He will succeed Senator Jordan Youngberg, who announced his resignation earlier this week.
“I am honored by Governor Noem’s appointment and look forward to putting my experience to work for the people of District 8 and the great state of South Dakota,” said Crabtree. “I am grateful to Sen. Youngberg for his service to District 8 and the many positive things he was able to accomplish during his time in the legislature. I am eager to hit the ground running and serve to the best of my ability.”
Crabtree and his wife Ashley reside in Madison with their two children. In addition to his work at Heartland, Crabtree volunteers his time with the Dakota State University Trojan Athletic Club, various outdoor organizations, and the Lake County Republican Party, and he coaches his sons in youth baseball and football. He is also a graduate of Leadership South Dakota.
District 8 includes Lake, Miner, Moody, and Sanborn counties.
##
So we are starting to wake up.. and we still don’t know the results of what happened in Sioux Falls.
As of 1 a.m., only 49 of 67 partial precincts in the city election were reported, totalling 10,331 votes. The county race reported 69 of 71 partial precincts, totalling 12,846 votes.
Sioux Falls City Clerk Tom Greco said early Wednesday he hopes to at least get through Election Day ballots early this morning.
Minnehaha County Auditor Bob Litz put a pause on counting ballots for the county just after 1 a.m. Wednesday after he and volunteers who had been working for over 12 hours started to tire. Workers were planning to return to the Old Courthouse Museum to finish the job starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Was it last primary when after another slow election in Minnehaha County after giving people incorrect ballots, days later they found ballots that hadn’t been counted?
In February, Minnehaha County Auditor Bob Litz lamented to Governing Magazine:
Why is the U.S. public tied to the idea that “fast” results are mandatory? It’s not like getting a burger or taco. The folks who push this idea are those who are reporting the elections or those who are in the race, and they don’t want their supporters waiting too long on a Tuesday night for a winner. Neither group should be promoting speed above accuracy.
Given that Bob has proven Minnehaha County is known for neither speed nor accuracy, he probably should have kept his rant to himself, and worked on how he could improve one or the other.
And here we find ourselves again waiting for election results.
Yes, the public does have an expectation of finding out the results of elections on a timely basis. And it’s the job of public officials – particularly the auditor – to figure out how to deliver. If they can’t do that they probably should look for a different job.
It’s basic planning. You form a plan. You take your proposals to the County Commission and ask for funding, explaining why. You hire more people. You get more equipment
You have to wonder when they’re going to figure out that with many people living there, inevitably and not surprisingly, “lots of people will vote on Election Day in Minnehaha County.”
Until that time ever arrives, we’re going to continue to wait on the largest county in the state to get their act together as every other county in the state has figured out and manages to accomplish.
Interesting company that Councilor Stehly keeps:
Stehly, who claims to be a Republican… when she isn’t going after President Trump or Governor Noem.. is here at the rally which preceded the ongoing riots tonight, hanging out with Democrats Reynold Nesiba and Dan Ahlers
Sounds like the violence and chaos that had been feared has taken place at the empire mall, where 700-1200 younger people have turned a peaceful protest destructive.
Tear gas has been deployed, and law enforcement is in the process of clearing the last people out. However, it looks as if it could move to other areas, so everyone is on guard.
More to come on this.
From last nights’ Sioux Falls City Council Meeting, one of Theresa Stehly’s prime campaign allies and supporters was all triggered and yelling, and got booted from the City Council meeting yesterday evening.
Ehrisman hits his time limit. And when he’s cut off, he starts yelling that he has a first amendment right to speak. The mayor asks security to escort him out.
— Joe Sneve (@Argus_Joe) May 20, 2020
Ehrisman decides to leave before security made him pic.twitter.com/HsODmRXa2p
— Joe Sneve (@Argus_Joe) May 20, 2020
(If it’s that big a deal, just bring cheeseburgers back to the golf course.)