Billie Sutton still holding himself out as Democrats’ savior. Should we expect that campaign announcement in November?

@SoDakCampaigns

Former Democrat Gubernatorial Candidate Billie Sutton apparently still holds out hope that he remains the anointed savior of the Democrat party in an interview with Kevin Woster of Public Radio, as he chirps up to the media to keep his name in the press in an effort to point out that he could be Democrats’ candidate for Governor again. Really… You never know.. He might just run again…

Billie Sutton took 10 days to think about what he wanted to say on Gov. Kristi Noem’s leadership in the battle against COVID-19.

And after that, he decided to say nothing, except this: “I think I’m going to decline commenting for now,” Sutton said by phone. “I’ve thought about it, since we talked, and I don’t know if it’s healthy to criticize at this time. I don’t know that we need negativity right now. I don’t see myself as being negative, but whatever I say could be taken that way.”

and..

He’s still interested in that governor’s job, however, even though he’s at least a year away from making a decision, or at least announcing it, on whether to run again in 2022.

“I’m getting a lot of encouragement on that, of course. And if you remember last time it was May of 2017 when I announced, a year and a half ahead of the general,” Sutton said. “I’ve got a structure, an organization in place, so I wouldn’t have to get out as early next time, if I ran. “

He would, however, want to make it official before the end of 2021, which now seems far enough away, especially if you have plenty of other things going on.

Read that here.

A Democrat has “a structure out there…?”  An “organization?”  That might be a stretch considering that same structure failed to get not one, but two candidates on the ballot in the Congressional race. ‘Structure’ and ‘organization’ are not words I’d use in conjunction with state Democrat politics.

On top of hinting that he’s somehow critical of Governor Noem for trying to keep people healthy and make sure they have jobs to come back to – an approach that’s earned her national praise during the coronavirus crisis.  Sorry, but the article is a bit shameless as Sutton tries to keep a profile – any profile – during a time when all eyes are on Governor Noem for her steady leadership.

I almost have to ask whether we should start counting down the months until Sutton announces his exploratory committee for Governor?  When is November – 6 months away?

And counting…

42 thoughts on “Billie Sutton still holding himself out as Democrats’ savior. Should we expect that campaign announcement in November?”

  1. Noem has a very small attack surface right now. If my sources are correct and anyone who has had a cold in the last 10 years will test positive for Covid (a really nasty and aggressive cold), assuming Noem can root out some of the globalism (the SD Republican party has an acute problem with entrenched and outmoded globalist ideals) in our state, she will be unbeatable.

    Also, after the covers were pulled back on Clinton’s DNC, Sutton may want to consider founding a party .. ” Anti Masonic Party” is an interesting Wikipedia read.

    For the record, I did not vote for either Sutton or Noem in the last election. I was undecided and didn’t want to obviate someone else’s vote, and I am just not any kind of party line zealot. At this point, though, on a very big issue, Noem was patient, followed the data and evidence, and hit another home run (the other one was tackling mythical South Dakota Methicorn Work Ethic, aka the “on meth” campaign).

    1. The fact that Billie is still a threat 2 years later is a big problem for Noem.

      I’m guessing he still has 48% of the vote.

      It would be interesting to see if either he or the gov have lost supporters since election day 2018.

  2. He said “I have a structure….” He did not say the Democratic Party had a structure.

    1. And Pat was referring to him, not to the Democrat party; he reference “that structure”. Try again.

      Oh, and the Democrat party is being anything but democratic; Queen Nancy wants to get the House in to vote on what she put together without any input, so instead of Democratic, that party is being Dictatorial.

  3. Dr. Terry LaFleur D.O.L./JD Wile E. Coyote School of Law, ACME University has a head start on Billie Sutton.

  4. I truly believe in the 2-party system. It allows for spirited debate and healthy compromise. We just don’t have that in SD ever since the defeat of Tom Daschle. That said, the SD Democrats should be ashamed of its state committee and “structure” (or lack thereof). They all allowed it to become complacent, lazy and lacking vision, relying almost solely on the teet of mother National Democrat Party. In all of this turmoil, the party has left many of its somewhat good candidates to flounder and fend for themselves. I’m a conservative Republican but having a fairly strong second party helps us become better policy makers and stewards of taxpayers monies. It keeps us on our toes and ensures a good, balanced approach to governing – at least from a state level. At this point, the only way the SD Democrat Party is going to become relevant again is if Tom Daschle comes back with powers from the beyond and is able to raise George McGovern from the grave while healing Tim Johnson (sorry, I don’t mean to be disrespectful – just a bit humorous – just a tiny bit). One person (Billie Sutton) does not make a successful political party.

    1. Black Hills Bob, how about if we add in Kathy Tyler and Susan Wismer? Does that make it a political party?

      1. That’s a good one! I guess more than one does make a party, of sorts! No fun partying by yourself, yet Billy Idol likes to dance with himself so….Billy Sutton might as well do so too.

        1. We have 2 parties in the state…the conservative republicans and the moderate/liberal republicans…..

          count heads in the legislature and you will see it

          1. Actually, there are three. You’re forgetting about the Minnesota Republicans, that some call “Democrats”.

            Too many of these “Democrats” are merely errand boys and girls for the “moderate/liberal republicans”.

  5. everyone shops for razzledazzle and a one-punch-man (i watch anime with the kids) instead of developing their bench. what happened to jason frerichs? there’s a great gov prospect. he won his first primary so hard he shoved his opponent way over into a whole different party.

  6. Upset about words you wouldn’t use? Then don’t use “run” to describe the candidacy of a person with disability. Compete is the proper choice. e.g. John Dale is a person with mental disability and few use the term “think” when referring to his habits.

  7. If Trump loses, then Noem will be re-elected. If Trump wins, then Noem will be vulnerable for re-election.

      1. Because she’ll be vulnerable. After four years as Ag secretary, then she can run against Dusty for the US Senate in ’26.

    2. noem’s electability will have nothing to do with trump’s fate. regardless of the national outcome, trump probably won’t lose south dakota. this is bob dole / mitt romney country after all lol

      1. I never said he would lose SD, but a second term of trade wars and Noem’s leadership along with Sutton’s positive marketability would make Noem very vulnerable. Best she hide in the Ag position until ’26. Unless she has Palin dreams.

        1. actually noem has established herself as a capable governor. her run for a 2nd term will go well.

  8. Billy Sutton has broad appeal in South Dakota because he emulates the social and fiscal conservative values of the majority of South Dakotans. He has a very positive attitude proven by his life after a devastating accident. He would be a very challenging opponent for anyone. It would be nice to have two strong people running for office. Don’t underestimate his appeal.

  9. Much respect for Billie Sutton. He’s that conservative light I like. A blue dog Democrat.

    1. You mean the ones who voted against eliminating the pre-existing condition clause? The ones who voted against ending the donut hole for Medicare recipients? And the ones who voted against a yearly physical being apart of ones 100% coverage?

  10. I think it is great Billie Sutton is the best the Democrats have.

    1). The Jackley supporters are over their primary loss.

    2). First in the nation in least growth in unemployment, #2 in Covid hospitalization and deaths (would be #1 in all three but for the Good Sam experience which is a statistical anomaly and only significant as it is half our deaths.

    3). Farmers/hog producers will remember it was her who got the CDC and USDA here to get Smithfield open over the objections of the Sioux Falls Mayor.

    Over-under is 65-35.

    1. Without Trump in the White House, then I would call it 54 to 46 for Noem.

      1. with or without trump i see it 65/35 noem. the hideous stench the national democrats raised in their laughable scorched earth war on trump will have serious blowback here in this red state.

        1. As long as Sutton runs in 2022, an authentic west river Democrat with a compelling story, whose legislative record is more conservative than the classic Dem, it will be closer than 65/35.

          Noem is victimized by a misogyny within the Republican party, which Sutton is uniquely qualified to sweep up. He’s the default candidate for those type of conservative voters.

          1. the west river connection has rarely proved to be of any benefit at the polls. hardly any west river hopeful has successfully achieved the super hard status of being competitive in name recognition and gravitas against a strong east river candidate in a statewide race.

    2. What?

      It will be 50/50 leans Noem.

      It will be close and to say otherwise will only catch us off guard like 2018.

  11. Billie Sutton is a nice guy, but there are thousands of nice people in our state.

    There’s only one person that stood up to the crazies trying to take our liberty and our jobs. Governor Noem’s limitation – today – is the South Dakota Constitution. She can only be reelected once.

    1. Maybe she could run Byron the way George Wallace ran his wife, then run for gov again. 😉

    2. There’s only one person that stood up to the crazies trying to take our liberty and our jobs. Governor Noem’s limitation? Excuse me Lee but could you explain your statement. Thanks. Who are the crazies in SD that tried to take our liberty and our jobs.

  12. I wonder what Rancher Billie thinks of Michelle Obama partnering with Beyond Meat?

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