Category: Uncategorized

Oh well, it was a good way to get to Denver while it lasted. 

But this morning it sounds that the convenience of the Watertown/Pierre/Denver flight from ADI/Great Lakes might have been too much of a good thing:

Federal officials say the subsidy level in the city has surpassed $200 per passenger. Federal rules say any EAS community within 210 miles of a major hub airport must maintain a subsidy level below that mark, and the Transportation Department says Watertown is 207 miles from the Minneapolis airport.

Watertown Mayor Steve Thorson maintains the center of the city of 22,000 people is actually 4 miles farther west than under the government’s measurement. Thorson adds that he is not worried.

Read that at Today’s KCCR.

Jim Seward to Depart as Governor’s General Counsel

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced today that Jim Seward will depart his position as general counsel to the governor later this fall.

Seward has served as general counsel since Gov. Daugaard took office in 2011 and is a member of the Governor’s Executive Committee. He is departing for an opportunity in the private sector. 

“Jim Seward was one of the first people I hired when I was elected. Not only is Jim a valued member of my executive committee, but he is a policy advisor, policy maker and policy implementer,” said Gov. Daugaard. “Jim led our state’s efforts to reform the criminal justice system and our ongoing efforts to repeal unnecessary statutes and rules. He has been a trusted confident and advisor, and more importantly a good friend. I will miss him, but I wish him the very best.”

Seward joined the Daugaard transition team in December 2010 and became general counsel when Daugaard was sworn in as governor in January 2011. Prior to joining the Governor’s Office, Seward was a practicing attorney in Spearfish. He served from 2001-06 as the Butte County states’ attorney. Seward is a judge advocate general in the South Dakota National Guard. His military service included a tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2004-05, and he was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.

“I want to thank the Governor for his leadership and friendship,” said Seward. “We have taken on and solved enormous challenges together from the Missouri River flood of 2011 to our efforts to reform the corrections system to hold offenders more accountable. It has been an honor and a blessing to serve him, his staff and cabinet, and the people of South Dakota.” 

Seward’s last day will be Oct. 31, 2016. 

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The annual Americans for Prosperity – Defending the dream conference is this weekend, and I’m currently in the Sioux Falls airport terminal as I await my flight to sunny Orlando, Florida.

Oops… It might be more rainy than sunny this weekend, but we’ll all be indoors.

Marco Rubio, Joni Ernst, Scott Walker, Carly Fiorina and a host of others will be speaking at the 2-day event, where I hear we will also find South Dakota State Representative Don Haggar as part of a panel discussion.

The event is designed to give activists the tools to promote free market policies, and to elect candidates supporting those values in both Washington and their home state.  

As it’s billed on the summit website, “it’s a chance for thousands of defenders of freedom to come together to learn, be inspired, and celebrate liberty.”

I can’t think of a better way to spend the weekend.

I just received this via e-mail from State Senator Jenna Haggar, who is out raising funds to run her campaign for State Senate. Check it out, and if you’re so inclined…:

Thanks for being on this “political rollercoaster” with me.

As I seek my second term in the South Dakota State Senate and fourth term overall I write you this note with extreme gratitude because of the goals you have communicated and the support you have offered. Your willingness to take a conservative position on today’s political issues have such meaningful influence, not just on me or what I personally strive to accomplish with each year I serve in our Capitol but also for the greater good of mankind and seeing the true responsibility (and privilege!) of creating a society that fits our definition of prosperity, a country under God and also the American dream.

But I need your help. Because of the aggressive nature of this year’s political season my campaign expenses will increase and my efforts will be redoubled. Will you make a financial contribution to my campaign today at www.JennaHaggar.com?

The Democrat party in South Dakota recruited a candidate to challenge me. In a year where their registration numbers are declining, they primarily focus on liberal democrats to run for office. The extreme positions taken by the democrats are in such contradiction with many South Dakotans. But many liberal national groups send candidates money in South Dakota with hopes of negatively influencing our state against issues that you and I hold dear to us. 

My legislative campaigns have always been financially supported by individuals, small contributions add so much to my campaign. Being supported by like-minded folks across South Dakota is a good thing! Each election I am committed to knocking on hundreds of doors, reaching out to thousands of voters and blanketing the community with a message of conservative principles and family values. And while these campaigns are very expensive they are always rewarding. And it is only because of your donation my campaigns are even possible.

There are 35 Senate seats in South Dakota; these positions are expensive and highly sought after because of the decisions that are made in our capitol. In my six years in the legislature and with the approach I have I hope to reflect the goals and values you have communicated with me. If re-elected to the senate I will continue to represent your beliefs. 

You’ve helped me so much already please continue to help me reach my fundraising goal by making a contribution today of $1000, $500, $100 or even $50!

This campaign isn’t about personality; it’s not even about being a particular political party. It is about effectively and honestly serving the people nearest you, which I am proud to do as a Republican. Serving in the Capitol isn’t possible without your help. Because of you, I am thankful and also ready to countdown to Election Day…68 days left! 

Jenna

Please visit my website at www.JennaHaggar.com

Paid for by Jenna Haggar Campaign
District 10
PO Box 763
Sioux Falls, SD 57101
605/610-9779
www.jennahaggar.com

Hughes County Jury Convicts Aberdeen Man of First Degree Murder in Domestic Violence Case

PIERRE, S.D. – Attorney General Marty Jackley and Brown County States Attorney Larry Lovrien announced that a Hughes County jury returned a guilty verdict today finding John Hemminger, 35, Aberdeen, guilty of first degree murder, class A felony, mandatory life sentence in the state penitentiary or  death.

“I want to thank the jury and our joint prosecution team for their work on this tragic case,” said Jackley. “The jury weighed the horrific evidence which included Jessica’s 23 stab wounds and a history of domestic violence. Today’s verdict sends a strong message that domestic violence will not be tolerated.”

Charges stem from an incident on January 2015, where Hemminger attacked 26-year- old Jessica Goebel and causing her death a week after the incident.

This case was investigated by the Aberdeen Police Department and the Division of Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by the Brown County States Attorney’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office.

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Have you got yours ordered yet? They’re starting to go up across South Dakota!

Is this the face of an accidental legislator?

In 2014, Democrat Candidate Steve Stenson ran for the State Legislature as the odd Democrat out in a three way contest for State Representative. And the proceeded to get his tail kicked pretty hard, receiving nearly 2000 votes fewer than the next close competitor, Jeff Partridge. The vote in the contest was Dan Dryden – 5233, Jeff Partridge – 4533, and Steve Stenson – 2735.

Fast forward an election, and with the unfortunate passing of popular State Representative Dan Dryden, Stenson has suddenly been advanced from little more than a placeholder into a competitive race.

This kind of campaign situation is rare, but it does happen. A number of years back, I can recall that a State Democrat who was not anticipated to win anyway passed away in the midst of a State Legislative race, far too too late for Democrats to replace him.  Except this time, this is a far, far different situation.  Dryden ran extremely strong in his district, and would have been a shoe in. Yet, passing away after the deadline to replace him on the ballot has taken the candidates in this district, and jumbled the entire race around.

We now have a contest between Stenson, & Senator Craig Tieszen, but Dryden will remain on the ballot as a candidate, and is able to be elected to the office. Stenson’s job is now not just to raise his name ID, but to convince people he would be a better representative than a well known candidate who just happened to pass away, without being crass about it.

Representative Dryden’s passing just moved this race from the solid Republican column into a toss up race, where we can expect the Democrat party to spend significant resources. It literally may become their #1 targeted house race in the state, and represents a rare opportunity for them to gain ground in Rapid City.  And they won’t spare any expense.

In the case that Dryden wins election over Stenson, given the fact that the seat is in effect vacant by his passing, Governor Dennis Daugaard would appoint a replacement to serve in the office. As a result, Republicans have a vested interest in the seat remaining Republican, and will likely take over efforts for the Dryden campaign.

Stenson’s goal in the race has now shifted from a Sisyphean battle to convince people he was worth considering in the contest against his opponents to now trying to convince people he’s better than “any” Republican whom the Governor may appoint.  Could it give Stenson the opportunity to go to Pierre as the accidental legislator?

Maybe. But that still doesn’t prevent him from having to earn it.

State Rep. Dan Dryden Dies; Gov. Daugaard Requests Flags At Half-Staff

PIERRE, S.D. – State Rep. Dan Dryden of Rapid City passed away this morning. Dryden had represented District 34 in the State House of Representatives since 2011 and was the vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee.

“South Dakota has lost a true public servant. Dan Dryden was respected in the Legislature for his steady, common-sense approach,” said Gov. Dennis Daugaard. “He was committed to sound financial management, and was an expert in school finance. Like many others, I admired Dan’s dedication to serving our state, even as he quietly fought his battle with cancer. Linda and I offer our condolences to Judy, the Dryden family and Dan’s many friends at this difficult time.”

Gov. Daugaard will order flags to fly at half-staff statewide in honor of Rep. Dryden on the day of his funeral, which has yet to be determined.

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I’m sure there will be official notification from the Governor’s office, but I’m hearing late this morning that State Representative and District 34 House Candidate Dan Dryden has passed away.

As a current candidate, yes, there are ballot implications, and I’ll write about those later.  But for now, we can honor and remember him for his service to our state.

A truly good man. Godspeed.

Here’s something you don’t hear every day.

In the District 14 House GOP primary this year, Republican and retired Citibank executive Dave Zimbeck challenged incumbent House members Larry Zikmund and Tom Holmes for one of the two house seats in the District.

He came in third in the contest, 668 votes to Tom Holmes 858 and Larry Zikmund’s 1,046.  Certainly nothing to be ashamed of, especially in the face of 2 incumbents. And that might be the end of the story, except for what’s happening at the moment.

The word is that in recent days donors to the campaign are opening letters from Zimbeck. He expresses a little melancholy about his performance in the race, wishing he could have done better, and noting to supporters that they should not have to bear the cost of his loss.

And as a consequence, he’s giving it all back. The money he’s received in donations.

Really.

I spoke with one person today who had given him a personal donation, as well as being involved with another political organization that gave him a check  They were both refunded in full, with similar letters.   It’s not every day you hear about something like that, where a politician doesn’t manage to win the election, but repays the people who invested in him.

Dave Zimbeck might have lost the election. But as you sit and think, you can’t help but wonder if he’s managed to find a way to win the war.