From Facebook, the South Dakota Republican Party has announced that they are urging that County GOP Organizations postpone all April and May events until after the coronavirus outbreak has been addressed:
That includes the 2020 Lincoln Day Dinners which had been previously scheduled.
What was kind of a sleepy afternoon just woke up politically. Term-limited Republican State Representative Nancy Rasmussen just filed to run for the State Senate against former Judge & current State Senator Art Rusch:
… which brings the number of Republican primaries for the State Senate that I’m counting to about 8:
District 6 – Otten/Latterell
District 12 – Curd/Steele
District 14 – Zikmund/Zellmer
District 17 – Rusch/Rasmussen
District 21 – Qualm/Tobin
District 23 – Breitling/Nielson
District 29 – Cammack/Jorgenson
District 33 – Dave Johnson/Janet Jensen
This might not be all. I know 2 Republicans are looking at D27 Senate. It’s not clear if Jeff Partridge is running again yet in 34, where Mike Diedrich has filed. On the Dem side, supposedly Pat Kirschmann (D) is going to take on Reynold Nesiba (D) in D15 Senate.
And none of this should give rise to the thought of people being done. There are probably others out there just waiting to pounce.
Stay tuned.
Update 3/20/20 – It is noted in the comment section that it was announced today that State Representative Pat Kirschmann has passed away.
Delegation Urges SBA to Grant South Dakota’s Economic Loan Request
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today urged the United States Small Business Administration to grant South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s request to activate the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The State of South Dakota has taken strong, pro-active steps to mitigate the effects of this pandemic,” the delegation wrote. “Governor Noem declared a State of Emergency for South Dakota on March 13, 2020, recommended the closures of schools, and issued an executive order for non-essential employees to work remotely. Despite these efforts, South Dakota small businesses are experiencing significant economic hardships from COVID-19. More must be done to provide financial assistance during this trying time, therefore we ask for fair and immediate consideration of Governor Noem’s request.”
Full text of the letter below:
The Honorable Jovita Carranza
Administrator
U.S. Small Business Administration
409 3rd Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20416
Dear Ms. Carranza,
We write to share our support of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s March 16, 2020, request for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to activate the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program in South Dakota resulting from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The State of South Dakota has taken strong, pro-active steps to mitigate the effects of this pandemic. Governor Noem declared a State of Emergency for South Dakota on March 13, 2020, recommended the closures of schools, and issued an executive order for non-essential employees to work remotely.
Despite these efforts, South Dakota small businesses are experiencing significant economic hardships from COVID-19. More must be done to provide financial assistance during this trying time, therefore we ask for fair and immediate consideration of Governor Noem’s request.
We are confident in the ability of our federal, state, and local officials to work together to protect our communities during this pandemic. We thank the administration in advance for its response and willingness to support small businesses.
Sincerely,
###
Thune: It’s Time for Us to Come Together to Fight This Virus
“This is a time for all of us to come together to ensure that medical professionals, American businesses, and American families have what they need to combat the coronavirus and deal with its effects
Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune’s speech.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed Senate Republicans’ top priorities in their effort to fight the coronavirus outbreak. These priorities include providing direct assistance to American workers and families, giving our economy necessary support, and providing medical professionals with the resources they need to fight the virus.
Congressman Dusty Johnson has a video out this morning, where he sets forth the principles he’s going to use in supporting the various coronavirus proposals:
In case you were missing the non-election year Theresa Stehly as opposed to the one that pretends to be positive for the media, it sounds like we had a glimpse of it last night, according to the Argus Leader, as Sioux Falls City Councilors discussed the previously approved sewage treatment plant:
Councilor Theresa Stehly, who for months has publicly opposed the project based on its size, isn’t sure the rate modeling done is still sound considering the collapse of the stock market in recent days, the mass closures and forced quarantines happening around the country and the financial hardships people are bracing for as a result.
“I would really like to slow this thing down” Stehly said. “We are on the brink of Martial Law. … We don’t know where we’re going to end up.”
and…
Councilor Curt Soehl took issue with Stehly invoking the COVID-19 pandemic into unrelated discussions, calling it “hysteria.”
Maybe Theresa should not have skipped the emergency Sioux Falls City Council meeting recently about the coronavirus, that even those who had colds called into.
Just a thought.
Johnson To Host Phone Town Hall on Coronavirus
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) will host a telephone town hall with constituents to discuss the coronavirus tomorrow. Deputy State Epidemiologist Dustin Ortbahn will join to discuss state efforts. Constituents are encouraged to join the call.
What: Telephone Town Hall on COVID-19
When: Wednesday, March 18, 2020; 7:20pm CT/ 6:20pm MT
Dialing information: 877-229-8493 Pin: 118995
###
Thune: Amid Outbreak, Congress Focused on Supporting the American People
“I and my colleagues here in Congress will continue to work to ensure that our nation has the resources it needs to combat and defeat this disease.”
Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune’s speech
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the temporary extension of certain expiring provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, as well as the second phase of Congress’ coronavirus response and additional measures that might be needed to support the American people. Although this is a difficult time, Thune expressed confidence that America will emerge from these challenges stronger than before.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, March 16, 2020
Regents’ Executive Director to Step Down
PIERRE, S.D. – Paul B. Beran, executive director and CEO of the South Dakota Board of Regents since 2018, announced today he will be leaving the Board of Regents at the end of his current contract, which runs through June 2020.
“I have appreciated the last several years working for the Board of Regents, but the board has informed me they want to go a different direction in leadership and I fully understand their right to exercise that change,” Beran said. “I stand ready to help in the transition as the board repositions itself. (my emphasis – PP)
“I have enjoyed getting to work with members of the board, the presidents and superintendent, legislative leadership, and representatives from Gov. Noem’s administration, whom I have worked with over the last two legislative sessions. South Dakota should be proud of its higher education system. All six universities and the two special schools serve the state in a highly coordinated, efficient approach that utilizes shared services in a way that is the envy of many state systems,” he said.
“The board would like to thank Dr. Beran for his service to our state. He has helped prepare the system to move forward to find greater efficiency and effectiveness in future operations. As the system evolves, the Board of Regents is ready to analyze the system’s functionality in new and innovative ways,” said Regents President Kevin V. Schieffer. “The board wishes him well as he transitions into future opportunities.”
Schieffer added that the Board of Regents will announce next steps for the appointment of a new executive director after its April 1-2 regular meeting.
Beran said that much has been accomplished over the last two legislative sessions, especially with new opportunities for individual institutions and collaborative programs that include multiple institutions.
Dakota State University will advance a high-tech, cyber-focused connection with business and industry by developing a business incubator around technology-based needs, he said. “South Dakota State University and the School of Mines and Technology are working together to develop the Governor’s “next big thing” initiative for bio-products produced from farm and forestry products in South Dakota. The University of South Dakota received state funding to help build a 21st century health sciences facility to prepare our next generation of health care providers. In addition, Black Hills State University, SDSU, USD, and Western Dakota Tech are collaborating to increase the number of nursing and healthcare professionals in western South Dakota,” Beran said.
During his tenure here, Beran helped hire a new president at Black Hills State University and a new superintendent for the School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. “I am sure the new and current institutional leaders will provide synergy for positive change and forward movement across this state,” he said.
Prior to his time in South Dakota, Beran served as chancellor for the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith for 12 years and for five years as president at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
-30-
In the space of little more than a few weeks, we’re in a different landscape.
The economy has screeched to a halt as people are all trying to evaluate how to operate in a world with no organized sports or events at any level, and being told to avoid large groups. And what are you going to do with no after school programs, and those darn kids around the house for at least the next week.
Welcome to the world of coronavirus.
And candidates this is the new landscape you’re going to be operating in for at least the next several months as we’re busy deep-cleaning and avoiding groups of 100. Welcome to Campaigning in the age of coronavirus.
Here’s my 2 cents worth on things to keep in mind and how candidates can rise to meet the challenges in the hand they’ve been dealt:
Events are out for a while – You can try it, but you might find out the hard way that after spending a lot of time and a bot of money planning and sending out invitations, they may be shunned. People will be hanging out at home, and a bit reluctant to go out, but they’re still going to be looking for information about voting. So bring it to them.
Candidates are going to have to be creative about earned media. They can’t just have a rally, so they’d better start putting pencil to paper, and get their thinking cap on.
Direct engagement of small groups might still be accepted in many areas, but you will be challenged to go to the people. Gun shows, sports shows, and farm and home shows will be shuttered for a while, so forget petitioning to gather large numbers of signatures all at once. You may find yourself gutting it out collecting signatures in neighborhoods. (If you go door to door to gather signatures, let me know how people respond… this environment is uncharted territory.. we haven’t seen it since the days of polio).
Staffing campaigns – Volunteer Campaign teams… significant groups of 15-20 coming together simply for fellowship and pizza? I’m guessing that’s going to be challenging at least for a while. Paid teams? If you have the money, this could be a tough economy for a while, with many people in certain jobs at reduced or zero hours. You might be able to readily hire some eager help glad to have the work.
Social media engagement (Livestreams, videos and informational posting) – We haven’t done a ton of it yet in South Dakota, but this will probably be the year it gets a lot bigger. Light, catchy and informational will be the key. People will be on facebook, but based on a lot of media hype, both real and imagined, I think they’re a little weary of scare tactics and clickbait propaganda. They want good, solid information.
In fact, people are going to be glued to their computers. If people are going to be isolating, their contact with the outer world will be important… Think social media targeting via facebook.
Campaign Funds will be tighter, so candidates will be a little more discriminating about where they spend their dollar. On-line fundraising should be set-up, but you’re still going to need to make a personal connection to get larger amounts. Given the viral environment throwing cold water on the economy, it will be a tougher to wring dollars out of donors, so give it more focus.
As for spending those dollars…
Weekly Newspapers, yay. Daily newspapers, meh. – In South Dakota, weekly newspapers are a niche unto themselves, and might be THE best advertising buy you can make if you’re in a community with a weekly. They are read and re-read multiple times, they have a unique place in South Dakota culture, and the darn things stick around forever. It’s information about our smaller communities coming from friends and neighbors. For the most part, ads are CHEAP. Even moreso when the paper sticks around in the magazine rack in the bathroom for a month.
Most daily papers don’t hold that affection. Period. Some are actively disliked. The largest have a corporate aura, since most of them are owned by people several states away. And there’s a bias – whether real of prejudicially conceived – that some people hold against them. Take the Argus. Democrats think it’s too corporate, Republicans loathe the liberal bias some columnists can exhibit. They have a short shelf-life too.
When you buy an ad in a daily it tends to be expensive and caught up among a lot of other expensive ads. And out in the trash by suppertime.
Radio – It depends on how people are using it in their area. If we’re in a state of shutdown, as we’re gearing up for at the moment nationally, drive time to jobs could be impacted. Yet, Farmers will still be listening to the markets, on their tractors planting, and later harvesting… So, I think it could be a mixed bag.
Direct mail will always be direct mail. If we find we’re doing a lot more self-isolation, if it comes in an envelope, looking less like mass mail and more personal might help get it opened.
Postcards – If you need to efficiently put a message into the hands of targeted voters, postcards are, and always will be king. The list of people who are most likely to vote is out there for purchase, and you can pack an effective message into a small and generally inexpensive package. Because of automation, they don’t require hand addressing. They don’t necessarily require you to slap a label on them. All that’s required is your message, and it can be delivered directly to voters who have a demonstrated likelihood that they will be a participant in the election cycle.
And before you ask, Yes, I sell postcards. (Click here to find out more… shameless plug). Why? Because they work, and after more than 30 years, I’ve found them to be effective.
And about voting… anticipate LOW TURN OUT. Good for incumbents, but an upstart candidate can potentially swing an election if they can drive enough people to get out and vote.
Early Absentee and Regular Absentee voting – This is going to be a key item this year. Early voting (a.k.a. in-person absentee) allows people to go into and take care of voting on the increasingly rare occasions when they’re going out in small groups or individually. Traditional absentee ballots do allow voters to request ballots without setting foot in the courthouse. However, absent a messenger, they must be received, filled out, returned and mailed back to the auditor prior to the election day. A little more complex.
Early voting is going to be the stronger force in comparison to plain absentee, as people like it, and had been getting used to it when there were no concerns about going out. If you haven’t done it before, understand that people can do it quickly in small numbers, so if you’re running for office, and haven’t thought about an early voter program, you’d better educate yourself about it NOW.
So, those are the election related concerns I believe we might be in for the next several months in the age of coronavirus.
Any thoughts from you, the reader?