Category: Uncategorized

Campaigning for @defeat_22 with a fresh CR face!! 🇺🇸😀 pic.twitter.com/udxmMNfuAw

— Augie Republicans (@AugieCRs) September 16, 2016

In case you’re not attending Saturday Night’s SDSU football game, the Lincoln County GOP is hosting a dinner with 3 potential Gubernatorial contenders for 2018 – Congresswoman Kristi Noem, incoming Speaker of the House Mark Mickelson, and Attorney General Marty Jackley:

Tickets are available at the door, and are $40 each or 2 for $75 at the “All Occasions” center, at the Tea I-29 exit.

 

Honored to receive the @NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award this morning. pic.twitter.com/fpoRcP7IWP

— Senator John Thune (@SenJohnThune) September 15, 2016

There was an article at the Mitchell Daily Republic website yesterday about the two sides clashing on Amendment V (for vile). If you’re not familiar, this is the ballot measure funded by out of state interests, which would hide party affiliations, as well as ensure that no independents or third party candidates would ever appear on a November ballot again.

As noted in the Mitchell Daily Republic:

Neither of the state’s political parties, which would see their organizations wiped from the ballot if Amendment V were to pass, offered support of the initiative.

South Dakota Democratic Party Executive Director Suzanne Jones Pranger said her party will remain neutral on Amendment V as some state Democrats have come out both for and against the proposal.

and…

Unlike its counterpart, the South Dakota GOP has taken a stance on the proposal.

Ryan Budmayr, executive director of the South Dakota Republican Party, said his party opposes the proposal, citing the “big money out of New York” that is supporting the effort. And while supporters say Amendment V would favor individual voters rather than political parties, Budmayr has a different view of the proposal.

“This is the farthest thing from nonpartisan,” Budmayr said. “The guys running this are former Democrats, party bosses, staffers, and I don’t think South Dakota should be fooled.”

Read it here.

Given the lukewarm opposition, at best, that the Democrat party apparatus is offering, I have to openly question whether the State Democrat Party is suppressing their party members who actually want to be identified as a political party, as opposed to a petition gathering organization.

However, aside from the Democrat party leaders, who mention dissent but give it no credence, it appears that at least a couple Democrat party loyalists are out there who recognize how bad Amendment V will be for South Dakota.

At RapidCityJournal.com today, Democrat stalwart Jay Davis voices his dissent from the weak-spined Democrat leaders who are happy to shed the Democrat label, mistakenly thinking that hiding who they are from voters will help them gain more offices. And Davis correctly points out that in conservative South Dakota, it’s more likely that Democrats are going to find themselves shut out:

FIRST AD RELEASED BY “NO ON V” COMMITTEE:
Ad Calls for Rejection of Out-of-State Meddling in South Dakota

Pierre – Today, South Dakotans Against V released an ad exposing the real masterminds behind the so-called “nonpartisan” election amendment.

“South Dakotans don’t need to be told how to govern by big, hidden money from out-of-state,” said Will Mortenson, Chairman of South Dakotans Against V.

More than three-quarters of Amendment V’s contributions are coming from outside the state, including more than 70% from a single organization in New York that does not disclose its donors. The New York-funded effort attacking South Dakota’s political system is led by a billionaire Obama-fundraiser and former Enron financier, along with other hidden, out-of-state donors.

“We need to stand up to the New York billionaires and out-of-state interests who are working with Democratic Party Bosses in South Dakota to destroy our state’s ballot transparency and long-time political traditions,” Mortenson added.

The Chairman of the Yes on V Ballot Committee in South Dakota is Democratic Party Boss and failed 2014 U.S. Senate Candidate Rick Weiland.

“Since he can’t win elections in South Dakota, Party Boss Rick Weiland is trying to confuse voters by hiding party labels on the ballot,” said Mortenson.

Amendment V hides party labels on the ballot and puts a California-style merged primary in South Dakota’s constitution. Vote NO on Amendment V in November.

The ad can be viewed at the link: https://youtu.be/5TPP6xF7tAI.

NOEM EARNS PRO-LIFE, PRO-FAMILY ENDORSEMENTS

SIOUX FALLS, SD – Rep. Kristi Noem has been recognized as a leader in the pro-life and pro-family movements. Today, her campaign announced endorsements from national and local pro-life and family values organizations, as well as a number of South Dakota religious leaders. 

“I am, and always have been, pro-life. I believe every human life is sacred, including the unborn, and my voting record in Congress will always reflect that belief,” said Noem. “It’s an honor to receive endorsements from the organizations and individuals who also believe in the sanctity of life and understand the importance of traditional family values.” 

Rep. Noem has been endorsed by: 

• National Right to Life
  
• WallBuilders
• Family Heritage Alliance Action
• Steve Ferguson, Watertown Foursquare Church
• Pastor Pam Gaikowski, Watertown Foursquare Church
• Roger Day, Highmore, SD – Hosanna Restoration Church
• Pastor Ray Greenseth, Murdo, SD –  Messiah Lutheran Church
• Reverend Hyle Anderson, Aberdeen SD
• Pastor Gary Wileman, Aberdeen, SD – First Assembly of God
• Pastor David and Pastor Jeanne Kaufman, Brookings, SD – Holy Life Tabernacle
• Pastor Wesley Wileman, New Underwood Community Church

“Congresswoman Noem exemplifies what FHA stands for: faith, family, and freedom. Her unwavering stance on protecting the unborn and standing up for traditional family values is why we are endorsing Rep. Noem in her re-election bid for U.S. House of Representatives,” said Dale Bartscher, FHA Action Executive Director. 

###

Was that the sound of a U-Haul backing up to Jay Williams Campaign Office, so they can start moving equipment into storage?  Because according to the website Morning Consult, Jay’s opponent John Thune is ranked as the 3rd most popular US Senator in America.

According to their methodology, “Based on interviews with almost 72,000 registered voters since May, Morning Consult crunched how constituents feel about their home-state senators (see more on methodology here).”  Bernie Sanders is #1, and John Thune is neck in neck with Maine’s Susan Collins for #2.

He’s 1 percentage point behind on popularity, but has a lower negative. That’s a pretty tough row to hoe for Thune’s opponent Jay Williams, (who will likely respond by muttering that we need to quit using fossil fuels, and that taxes are too low).

And it’s not like South Dakota’s Junior Senator fared poorly himself. Mike Rounds narrowly missed the top ten by coming in at #13:

Go read the entire story, complete with rankings here. 

Not that it comes as a shock to us, but it’s a testament to Republican leadership in South Dakota that we know how to pick ’em, and that they do a good job for our State.  Keep up the good work, Senators!

And sorry Jay. Better luck next time.

If you ask nicely, I’d let you use my appliance cart to load your stuff.  This might be good time to start loading.

Schatz-Thune Bill to Improve and Grow Tourism in Native Communities Heads to the President’s Desk

Bipartisan NATIVE Act Passes House, Set to Become Law 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) that will enhance and integrate native tourism, empower native communities, and expand unique cultural tourism opportunities in the United States. The bill, which passed in the Senate in April, now heads to the president for his signature.

“I’m glad the NATIVE Act received the same broad bipartisan support this week in the House as it did earlier this year in the Senate,” said Thune. “This is a good, common-sense bill that will have a real impact in tribal communities throughout the country, including the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota nations in South Dakota. I want to thank Sen. Schatz for his strong partnership in helping get this legislation to the president’s desk for his signature.”  

“This bill will empower native communities to tell their own stories and build their own economic opportunities. For too long, tourism has focused on so-called major destinations and while that’s important, we have the opportunity to support cultural revitalization and economic renewal through the passage of this bill,” said Schatz. “Visitors are increasingly seeking out a more authentic and historically rich travel experience, and there is nothing more authentic and unique than the cultural tourism experience our native communities provide.” 

The NATIVE Act will require federal agencies with tourism assets and responsibilities to include tribes and native organizations in national tourism efforts and strategic planning. It will also provide Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native, and American Indian communities with access to resources and technical assistance needed to build sustainable recreational and cultural travel and tourism infrastructure and capacity; spur economic development, and create good jobs. 

U.S. Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) are cosponsors of the NATIVE Act.

“The NATIVE Act is a strong piece of legislation that will drive economic growth not only in areas that house Native lands and cultural attractions, but also for communities in every corner of the country,” said U.S. Travel Association president and CEO Roger Dow. “We are pleased to see our lawmakers prioritize a measure that expands travel and tourism promotion opportunities for these lands—particularly allowing them to attract more international visitors, whose trips often have a tremendous positive ripple effect on the surrounding local economy. We applaud the House for advancing this bill, and thank Sen. Schatz for his leadership on the NATIVE Act, along with his consistent dedication to facilitating travel across the United States.”

The NATIVE Act is supported by a broad coalition of stakeholders including the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian Homeland Assembly, U.S. Travel Association, American Indian and Alaska Native Tourism Association, Southeast Tourism Society, Western States Tourism Policy Council, National Congress of American Indians, Alaska Federation of Natives, and the Native Enterprise Initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 

U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) led companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

###

Rounds Announces Staff Changes in Northeast South Dakota

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced the promotion of Josh Haeder to Regional Director in Northeast South Dakota. Additionally, Katie Murray, a Constituent Services Representative, is relocating to Brookings and will be based out of Rounds’ Sioux Falls office.

“Josh knows South Dakota, particularly the James River Valley,” said Rounds. “He has excelled by focusing on developing strong relationships with residents and communities throughout the region. Some of the best legislative efforts start at the local level. Josh understands the big picture and has been critical in that effort.”

Haeder has served as Senior Field Manager since January 2015. Haeder will continue to focus on constituent services and outreach in the James River Valley. He is based out of Huron with a satellite office in Aberdeen. Prior to joining Senator Rounds’ office, Haeder was the Chief Operating Officer of a credit counseling agency. His past experience also includes business and ag banking.  

“Katie is a lifelong South Dakotan with a passion for serving and helping others,” said Rounds. “She has been an asset to my team since the day I took office. In the past 20 months, she has gained valuable knowledge by helping South Dakotans who may be having trouble with a federal agency. I look forward to having a stronger presence in the Brookings area as she and her husband relocate.”

Katie has served as a Constituent Services Representative in Rounds’ Rapid City office since January 2015. She is a graduate of Black Hills State University. 

###