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Now that the placeholders have taken a step back from running the political atmosphere has changed slightly, so while we wait for new candidates to drop in their spot (or not), I thought it might be a good exercise to see what the lay of the land is.

So, unless we pick up a couple of replacements from Democrats which are not expected……

D	Rep	Dem	Other	Power Rating	Notes
1		Frerichs		Dem Over
2	Greenfield			GOP Over
3	Novstrup	Heidelberger		Strong GOP	Longtime elected official v. Carpetbagger. See Corinna Robinson.
4	Wiik	Tyler		Lean GOP/Toss Up	Toss Up District w/2 who have faced election before. Tyler Comes with a lot of electoral baggage.
5	Tapio	Johnson		GOP Over	Tapio has it won, barring a replacement
6	Otten	Boese		Strong GOP	Incumbent v. unknwn
7	Tidemann	Perpich		Strong GOP	Long-time Incumbent v. unknwn
8	Youngberg	Parsley		Lean Dem	Youngberg running aggressively. Getting more interesting.
9	Peters	Boltjes		GOP Over	Peters is over
10	Haggar	Powers		Strong GOP	Incumbent v. unknwn
11	Stalzer	Cool		Strong GOP	Has Cool ever won a race, despite multiple attempts? Stalzer has.
12	Curd	Sanden		Strong/Lean GOP	Curd is incumbent, but Sanden will likely take some shots at him. As long as Curd runs, he should be safe.
13	Kolbeck	Pierson		Lean GOP	Denny Pierson has prior experience, but grasping at straws anymore. Kolbeck has a good team behind him.
14	Soholt		Swanger	Strong GOP	Swanger running as conservative indy in district w/out any GOP backing against Republican.
15		Nesiba		Dem Over
16	Bolin	Skiles		Strong GOP	Bolin is a campaign machine. It’s over.
17	Rusch	Merrill		Lean GOP	Rusch is well respected, and the incumbent. Merrill has yet to make his case why to replace him.
18		Kennedy	Stone	Dem Over	Stone ran good campaign 2 years ago,but withdrew for employment
19	Nelson	Graef		Strong GOP	Graef was recently arrested for DUI. Nelson will win.
20	Klumb	Berg		Lean GOP	Klumb is from right area in District, but Berg is not inexperienced. Today, we call it for Klumb.
21		Sutton		Dem Over
22	White	Groth		GOP Over	Absent a replacement, it’s done.
23	Cronin			GOP Over
24	Monroe			GOP Over
25	Langer	Barth		Toss Up	Both candidates have visibility in district that has elected Democrats in the last decade. Langer is excellent candidate, but Barth isn’t inexperienced.
26		Heinert		Dem Over
27		Killer		Dem Over
28	Maher			GOP Over
29	Cammack		Kindler	Strong GOP	I can’t even tell you Kindler’s name. We can call this one over.
30	Russell	LaRive		Strong GOP	LaRive must have escaped the last Democrat Bounty Hunt in Fall River County. It’s over.
31	Ewing			GOP Over
32	Solano	Hubbard		Strong GOP	It is over
33	Jensen	Stuck		Strong GOP	Unless Jensen says something ill-advised (again), this race is his after winning the primary.
34	Partridge	Schultz		Strong GOP	Over
35	Haverly			GOP Over

The tale of the tape has Democrats giving up 10 seats as uncontested at this point, while Republicans are giving up an unusual 6. Primarily because of a lack of competition for Heinert & Sutton, and what happened in District 18.

Otherwise, I think the races have remained fairly steady since the post primary review. Watch for things to start to shift slightly in the next 30 days when everything starts to gear up.

Still, I’d rather be in the GOP’s shoes than the Democrats, as they’re giving up an incredible 30% or so of the seats in the State Senate, while Republicans are only taking a pass on 17%.

Charges Filed in Connection with Marijuana Grow Facility in Flandreau

PIERRE, S.D. – Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today that one individual has been indicted by a Moody County grand jury for his role in the marijuana grow facility located on Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe grounds.

Eric Matthew Hagen, 34, Sioux Falls, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess more than ten pounds of marijuana, class 3 felony, punishable by up to 10 years in the state penitentiary and/or $20,000 fine, one count of possession of more than ten pounds of marijuana, class 3 felony, punishable by up to 10 years and/or $20,000 and one count of attempted possession or more than ten pounds of marijuana, class 3 felony, punishable by up to 7.5 years in the state penitentiary and/or $15,000 fine.

In addition to the indictment, Jonathan Hunt, 43, Colorado, has been charged by complaint for conspiracy to possess marijuana charge in exchange for his cooperation and assistance to law enforcement. He is expected to plead to one count of conspiracy to possess more than one-half pound but less than one pound of marijuana, class 6 felony, punishable by up to 2 years in the state penitentiary and/or $4,000. Hunt is scheduled to enter a plea on August 15, 2016.

Hagen and Hunt are both presumed innocent until such time as proven guilty.

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This story popped up this morning, and might explain this morning’s presser in Flandreau from the Attorney General:

Cannabis activists in South Dakota are expecting the state’s attorney general, Marty Jackley, to announce felony charges against Eric Hagen, CEO of Denver-based Monarch America, at a news conference in Flandreau tomorrow morning.

And…

Hagen and Monarch Consulting worked closely with the Flandreau Santee Sioux tribe last year as it prepared to open South Dakota’s first cannabis-friendly resort. State authorities have no jurisdiction on tribal land, so the Flandreau Santee Sioux were proceeding in accordance with the U.S. Department of Justice’s 2014 Wilkinson memo, which offers guidance for tribes working on cannabis projects in Indian country. 

Read it here.

Well, those pot plants didn’t get to South Dakota on their own. Someone brought them across state lines.

And the story above isn’t completely accurate; as while authorities have no jurisdiction on tribal land over tribal members, that is not the case with non-tribal members. 

Stay tuned. 

(I’m guessing Marty s going to talk about how he’s going to handle pot growing on the Reservation. -PP)

Press Conference August 3rd

PIERRE, S.D. – Attorney General Marty Jackley and local law enforcement will hold a press conference at the Moody County Courthouse on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2016, at 9 am CST. The press conference will address matters of a statewide interest.

Attorney General Jackley will be available for media questions during and immediately following the press conference.

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Secretary of State Announces Presidential Electors for Libertarian and Constitution Party

Pierre, SD – Secretary of State Shantel Krebs has received the Presidential Electors for the Libertarian and Constitution Parties. Both parties regained status as recognized political parties in South Dakota in 2016.

The Libertarian Party has nominated Gary Johnson of Santa Fe, New Mexico for President and Bill Weld of Canton, Massachusetts for Vice President. Their three Electors are Jon Boon McNutt, Elaine Kub and Richard Shelatz.

The Constitution Party has nominated Darrell L. Castle of Germantown, Tennessee for President and Scott N. Bradley of North Logan, Utah for Vice President. Their three Electors are Frank Howe of Brandon, Joel Bergan of Arlington and Melvin Van Den Top of Sioux Falls.

The Presidential Candidates and their Electors will appear on the November General Election ballot.

There are a lot of rumors swirling about what’s happening in Argus Leader.

Rumors of firing, unhappy people and general malaise over the direction that South Dakota’s largest daily newspaper has taken.  Take it all with a grain of salt, and consider it at rumor status, but it might be worth watching and reading.

What am I hearing?

The rumors are flying that News Director Patrick Lalley may have fired a sports writer over a turf fight. I’m also hearing that the rumor mill swirling around that portion of the 4th Estate is (allegedly) that Lalley may also be battling Stu Whitney who had jumped into political stories with vigor, but suddenly stopped writing about politics. Supposedly, at Lalley’s demand.

This could be the continuation of an alleged turf war that had been spoken about in hushed tones when it broke out earlier, swirling around a mysterious disappearing Stu Whitney story about John Thune that appeared on-line for a day, and then disappeared at the same time the SuFuStu video program went on permanent hiatus.

The Thune story is gone – I skimmed it briefly about the time it went up, but when I went to go back to it – it had been taken off-line.  Not exactly a smoking gun, but when tied to the rumors on it….  the Whitney/Lalley conflict is worth monitoring, and revisiting another day.

There’s also said to be rising tension in the Argus Newsroom over Dana Ferguson and her coming off as a bit of a Weiland mouthpiece in her stories, such as the pro-Weiland ballot measure story that coincidentally was placed on-line tonight with her byline.  That’s the rumor, but I’m getting this second hand, so take it as presented – a rumor.

What’s supposedly driving this conflict and unhappiness? Have you read the Argus lately?

The Sunday edition is basically what was online during the week, plus USA Today, wrapped around an even bigger pile of Sunday circulars. The only time you’d ever have seen that was on Thanksgiving. Now, it’s a weekly occurrence.  And I’m not the only one noticing it. I’m hearing there are complaints from readers about complete lack of content in the papers.

If you watch the on-line shows, you’ll note the viewer counter which consistently hovered in the 20’s has been gone for a while. Why? I’m hearing part of the unhappiness is that online shows such as 100 Eyes on politics consistently get about 20 viewers. When the majority of the comments come from South DaCola, Larry Kurtz rambling about pot, and a few other consistent characters, most choose to turn it off and work at their desks.

While employment issues are typically kept quiet until someone’s byline stops appearing, some of the rest of it such as viewership, the amazing shrinking newspaper and other facets of this continue to be held underneath the “Argus Cone of Silence,” with little more than rumors escaping out to the real world for us to evaluate, as we try to divine simple truth from wild rumor.

So, that’s what I’m hearing through the grapevine that winds it’s way through and out of the local Gannett newspaper tonight.  A collection of rumors that you can judge for yourself.

Might be best to judge as you flip through the Sunday circulars. There’s a lot of original content there. Plus coupons.

Thune addresses the South Dakota Technology Showcase 

SIOUX FALLS — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today delivered the keynote address at the South Dakota Technology Showcase in Sioux Falls. One of Thune’s top priorities as chairman of the Commerce Committee has been to ensure rural South Dakota isn’t left behind when it comes to the technological advancements that have become such an essential part of everyday life in America.

“At the end of the day, however, it is not going to be politicians and regulators who will determine what our digital future holds,” said Thune. “It will be the entrepreneurs and the engineers and the innovators … You all are the ones making that digital future a reality for South Dakota. 

“The best that the government can do is try to facilitate your success while making sure we are not accidentally standing in the way. I am excited to watch how [the ‘Internet of Things’] and other technologies develop over the coming years, and I am eager to do my small part in fostering their success.”

Earlier this year, Thune introduced the MOBILE NOW Act, a bill that would create an environment where America’s innovators could lay the groundwork for the future of the 5G network and help connect more people across rural South Dakota. Thune’s bill was approved by the Commerce Committee and awaits consideration on the Senate floor.

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South Dakotans Launch Effort to Oppose Amendment V

Pierre, South Dakota – August 2, 2016 – A group of South Dakotans have organized to oppose Constitutional Amendment V, a measure before South Dakota’s voters in November, saying it would eliminate South Dakota’s primary system and strip voters of the right to know candidates’ party affiliation.

“Amendment V is an anti-transparency measure that would permanently institute a California- style primary system and hide candidates’ party affiliation from South Dakota voters” said Will Mortenson, Chairman of VoteNoOnV.com.

Amendment V would amend South Dakota’s constitution to merge the Republican and Democratic primaries into one primary in which all candidates compete. The top two finishers in that combined primary would then compete in the November general election. This is similar to elections in California.

“Why would we amend our state constitution to try to be more like California, a state mired in political gridlock and debt?” asked Mortenson.

Amendment V would also strip the voters’ right to know candidates’ party affiliation when they review the ballot.

“The chief supporter of this ill-conceived amendment is failed U.S. Senate candidate and liberal Democrat activist Rick Weiland,” Mortenson noted, “and his motivation is clear: change the rules so Democrats can hide their party affiliation from voters in the voting booth.”

The committee advocating for Amendment V has raised 76% of their funds from out-of-state and has raised 92.5% from organizations with undisclosed donors.

“This is a classic case of hide the ball,” says State Senator Corey Brown, “an anti-transparency measure funded by undisclosed, out-of-state money.”

United States Senator John Thune, Governor Dennis Daugaard, and Congresswoman Kristi Noem have all voiced strong opposition to Amendment V and its negative impact on ballot transparency. South Dakota Farm Bureau and the South Dakota Association of Cooperatives have likewise officially opposed the measure.

Voters should visit www.VoteNoOnV.com to find more information.

Democrat US Senate Candidate Jay Williams must be in need of a scheduler. Or a clue. Because his latest press release seems a little silly:

Jay Williams, South Dakota’s Democratic U.S. Senate candidate will be speaking to the Yankton Rotary Club this Tuesday, August 2 at the regular noon meeting. This is the first Rotary Club Mr. Williams will address during his campaign. Williams is asking all Rotary clubs in South Dakota to invite him to speak at their clubs.

And..

Because Senator Thune has made appearances at several South Dakota Rotary Clubs during this election cycle, Mr. Williams is asking South Dakota Rotary Clubs to invite him to their meetings where he will speak and answer questions. In this way, Mr. Williams says he can have a virtual debate with Senator Thune by answering questions in the same forum only at different times. These “Rotary Debates” as Mr. Williams calls them will allow voters to see and compare the candidates’ views on the issues facing our nation. Mr. Williams would like to speak to every Rotary Club in South Dakota during the remaining 3 months of this campaign. He requests all South Dakota Rotary Clubs email him….

Read it here.

In most campaigns, they would have a scheduler who sets this kind of thing up. But then again, most campaigns would not have to beg people to call him, as Williams is doing here.

I get a sense of desperation from this release on Williams’ part, since literally he’s down to begging service clubs to call him to speak.

Alas, with his position that “we’re undertaxed in South Dakota, an Income tax would be a good way to go.” and how we need “government subsidies so everyone could put photo-voltaic cells on their roofs,” I don’t think his phone is going to start ringing anytime soon.

From my mailbox, you’re invited…

You are invited to the monthly SD District 8 Conservatives Luncheon to be held this Thursday, August 4th, 11:45AM, at the Second Street Diner, 610 Washington Ave. S., in Madison. This month’s speaker will be Dr. Leslie J. Heinemann, practicing dentist from Flandreau, and one of our two District 8 Representatives. Dr. Heinemann was first elected to his office in 2012 and is on the November 2016 ballot for re-election. His topic is “Medicaid Expansion, Why Not?”

Order off menu, daily special available. For more information call Ray Hedman at 605-270-2991.