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Interesting anecdote from yesterday’s crackerbarrel in Aberdeen.

As a legislator related to me yesterday, while legislators gave their presentations and explained the issues, several times from the front row they heard audible moans of discomfort, (i.e., GUHHH! and UHHHH!) as if someone was in abdominal distress or constipated. It was so loud in fact that people in the audience were looking around wondering if someone was unwell.

As related to me, they quickly identified the source of the noise. Apparently, Cory Heidelberger – who’s brand of tax and spend liberalism  was rejected by Aberdeen voters in the election last November  – was sitting in the front row wearing his “Dakota Free Press” nametag, was the one making all the noise. Especially when Republican legislators spoke.

If election-winning Republicans cause Cory such distress, he should probably declare a safe space somewhere, and dig a hole. Or at least locate the bathroom when the next crackerbarrel is held.

Because Republicans winning elections and leading isn’t going to stop happening anytime soon. No matter how much he moans about it.

LEDERMAN TO LEAD SDGOP

Pierre, SD – February 11, 2017 – Today, the South Dakota Republican Party elected Dan Lederman of Dakota Dunes to lead the SDGOP for the next two years.

“As I traveled across South Dakota talking to County Parties, it’s clear that county leadership is ready to play a more active role in the State Party,” said newly elected Chair Dan Lederman. “Republicans in South Dakota have been very successful in recent years and with additional help from grassroots in our state, I’m confident we can continue to improve on that success,” added Lederman.

More than 100 Central Committee Members traveled from 35 Counties to take part in the election, many for the first time.

“I would like to thank Pam Roberts for her hard work throughout these last two years as well as Governor Daugaard for the tremendous resources he’s contributed to the Party,” said Chair Lederman.

Governor Daugaard urged Republican Party members to get behind whoever won the election.

“The SD GOP is strong because we are unified, and we are fortunate to have so many great people willing to serve,” said Governor Daugaard. “I congratulate Dan Lederman and the other state officers on their victory, and I thank Pam Roberts for her hard work over the past two years. I hope the enthusiasm from this leadership election energizes our party as we look ahead to the crucial 2018 election,” added Daugaard.

Chair Lederman will begin his term immediately and has called a Special Central Committee Meeting to be held at the end of February to adopt a budget and goals for 2017.

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The @SDGOP is stRong because we are unified. I congratulate @danlederman and thank @PRobertsSD for her hard work! On to a big year in 2018!

— Dennis Daugaard (@dennisdaugaard) February 12, 2017

Dan Lederman is our new chair for the SDGOP. pic.twitter.com/Xh3SugAPv4

— Brown County GOP-SD (@BrownCountyGOPS) February 11, 2017

Gubernatorial Scion Russ Janklow was announced today as Campaign Treasurer for gubernatorial hopeful Attorney General Marty Jackley, in an effort to make up the fundraising deficit Jackley faces against Congresswoman Kristi Noem:

Russ Janklow’s presence on the campaign could help Jackley overcome a potential weakness in the area of fundraising. Noem, following the transfer of $1.6 million from her congressional account, ended the year with $1.8 million on hand – a sizeable lump of money for a primary that is still more than a year and a half away.

“We’re very pleased with where we are financially overall and with how things came together at the end of the year,” Noem spokesman Justin Brasell said in a statement. “Kristi continues to persuade new people to join our team every day. Kristi is taking nothing for granted and is out there working hard for every vote just like she always has.”

Jackley ended the year about $800,000 behind Noem.

Read it all here.

Early reports are noting that on a vote of 73 to 53, former Senate Assistant Majority Leader Dan Lederman is the new SDGOP chair.

Stay tuned for more details to come.

Another article on the election tomorrow for the GOP state chair has come out. 

And by the looks of it this one is the best of all. (Maybe I’m just saying that because I’m extensively featured in it.)

Typically, the governor has recruited the party chair, said Pat Powers, who runs South Dakota War College, a conservative blog. This is the first time in decades that State Central Committee members who gather Saturday in Pierre, South Dakota, will have a choice.

GOP Gov. Dennis Daugaard supports Roberts, and said it’s unusual for two people to be interested in the position that is typically only filled by persuasion.

“In most of the cases there’s not a matter of which candidate is going to win. It’s a matter of who can be persuaded to bear this burden,” he said.

Powers said with roughly 250,000 registered Republicans in South Dakota, competition for the post isn’t inconceivable.

“It’s a healthy thing,” Powers said. “Oh darn. Republicans have choices.”

Read it here.

The Argus weighs in with their take on the GOP Chairmanship race. And actually, it’s a very good article, well worth the read:

For decades the governor’s seal of approval has been an effective appointment to be confirmed by the committee. Candidates lobbied the governor for his endorsement and on a few occasions unendorsed candidates have continued but pulled out hours before the vote.

“By the time the voting started there was only one candidate standing,” said Frank Brost, a former chief of staff to Govs. George S. Mickelson and Walter Dale Miller and longtime member of the GOP Central Committee. “I can’t remember in my lifetime a race that was contested going into the convention.”

Daugaard told reporters that he liked Roberts’ modesty, along with her hard work and strong track record in the role.

“Pam very clearly is a very capable, unselfish candidate that I would wholeheartedly support and look forward to helping her in her role over the next two years,” Daugaard said.

Holien said the party was ready for a change and that during the time he and Lederman worked together in the South Dakota Senate he found Lederman to be a straight shooter and strong advocate for the GOP.

“In politics you learn the people who will stand by their word and stay true to it, and Dan did that,” he said.

Check it out here at the Argus Leader.