Toby Doeden inaugurates first class of Doeden dumpster diver candidates!

Blink-and-you-missed-him Congressional explorer Toby Doeden might have sprinted away from challenging Dusty Johnson (can he sprint?) once it was revealed that he had never voted in a Republican primary over the last couple of decades, but it hasn’t put a damper on his sense of self-importance.

I had heard that he had actually attended his first Lincoln Day Dinner in Brown County a few weeks back where he was treated to listening to current Congressman and Republican Nominee Dusty Johnson give a rousing speech that energized the whole crowd. Doeden had a table, but for some reason he kept pacing and hovering by the back door. Apparently he must have been uncomfortable in a room with actual Republicans.

Anyway, if you recall, back in February, Doeden had declared he was going to endorse candidates, and had started with Fred Deutsch, who had quickly noped out of that one.  After that false start, it looks like Doeden is back pretending to be Republican by declaring his love for specific candidates running in the Republican Primary.

Since Doeden’s political activity has continued to be a dumpster fire, I think we can refer to these newly endorsed candidates as “Doeden’s Dumpster Divers,” since I’m sure they’re all going to be looking for a check from Aberdeen’s Covid welfare king.

Who are Doeden’s Dumpster Divers?  After going through a “vigorous vetting process to ensure they are bold conservatives,” included among their numbers are..

Did they say “bold,” when they meant “old?”  Well of course Carl Perry is there. I suspect that he’s included among the dumpster diver endorsees because Toby recognizes a good “yes man” when he sees one. Although, Carl might have to ask Al if it’s ok.

If there is one candidate running in the state who embodies the values of Toby Doeden, that would be Tom Pischke.  I’m told Tom may have left his position at esurance and is a full-time landlord now, which would endear him to Doeden. Plus, Tom’s embracing of xenobiotic electromagnetism and chemtrail conspiracies, and committee vote to keep those with rape convictions in the classroom, help fuel the dumpster fire to greater heights.

Where do I start with former Neal Tapio campaign worker Cole Heisey? It’s such a long list. Whether it’s rallying with the proud boys, Or telling the world that monogamy is outdated and declaring:

Out of millions of souls, one is bound to one only?  When so many have so much to offer?  Don’t we restrict ourselves by combining only two?  And not three and four?

Read that here.

I’ll just stop there, because any more and we might need to be hosed down with penicillin.

Who are the other endorsees?  You’ll also find D23 Senate Candidate Mark Lapka, as well as D1 House Candidates Logan Manhart and Christopher Reder.  Although, they might want to reconsider and not just walk, but run away from being another endangered raccoon in the flaming dumpster.

That’s the view from driving by the dumpster fire.  Best not to linger too long.

Now that’s one way to stand out from the crowd.

“Vote for Earl” with Earl depicted as a NPC, whether intentional or not.

Coming from Meade County, this is one way to stand out from the Red, White & Blue signs peppering the fence lines. There’s so much wrong with it (Dist 4 more prominent than the first name, disclaimer?), but it gave me a laugh, but as the person who sent it to me said “I’m probably going to vote for him because it’s different.”

Well, getting noticed is what counts.

Guest column – Unmasking A Trojan Horse: The Battle for Election Integrity in Lawrence County by Samuel R. Kephart

Unmasking A Trojan Horse: The Battle for Election Integrity in Lawrence County
A Call to Scrutinize Mark Mowry’s Candidacy
By Samuel R. Kephart, Lawrence County

The cornerstone of our democracy rests on the integrity of our elections, an integrity that begins with the authenticity of candidates and their motives.

It’s critical voters engage in deeper due diligence regarding the individuals they choose to represent them, especially when considering candidates like Mark Mowry, a self-proclaimed conservative Republican vying for the position of State Representative for Lawrence County/District 31.

Mowry’s candidacy raises a plethora of red flags demanding our scrutiny.

First and foremost, one must question the real reasons behind his pursuit of public office. Mowry has publicly stated that he was “recruited” to run.

Who stands to benefit from (much less control) his candidacy?

Such details are not just political minutiae – they are central to understanding the forces at play within our local political landscape.

Complicating Mowry’s dubious claim to the conservative Republican mantle are his voter registration records, which reveal a political chameleon who has swung from Democrat to Independent and now to Republican:

5/17/1996 Democrat – Lyman, 10/16/2014 Independent – Lyman, 11/24/15 Republican – Custer, 5/7/7/2016 Democrat – Custer, 2/19/2018 Independent – Lawrence, 4/23/2021 Republican – Lawrence. 

In a recent streaming video interview, Mowry himself openly admitted to not having much of a Republican Party background… and twice expressed his aversion to the GOP super-majority in Pierre. How can someone, who provably lacks consistency in his political affiliations and openly critiques the party’s legislative dominance, genuinely claim to represent conservative Republican values?

Further, Mowry’s time spent abroad also raises questions about his connection and commitment to the needs of our district. How can a candidate who has spent a substantial amount of time outside the country (he returned from India this March) truly understand and advocate for the local interests of Lawrence County?

What’s most alarming is the shadowy undercurrent suggesting Mowry’s primary candidacy is not about serving the public’s interest but rather about serving a clandestine group of political puppeteers determined to oust an existing candidate for inexplicable reasons.

Don’t be deceived by a group of wolves in sheep’s clothing, who parade Trojan Horse candidates before us in a bid to overthrow a genuine, hard-working representative who has have proven their dedication to our community.

As voters, it’s our duty to peel back the layers, ask the hard questions, and ensure those who seek to represent us are doing so with the purest of motives and a genuine commitment to our values and needs.

Beware, voters, of the hidden machinations within our local political landscape; stand firm against blatant attempts to undermine the integrity of our elections by those seeking to insert puppet candidates into positions of power.

Election integrity begins with transparency, authenticity, and true dedication coming from those who wish to serve, ensuring our democracy remains by the people and for the people.

Samuel R. Kephart
Spearfish

What ever happened to…. Rick Weible running for Senate?

Spent part of Saturday heading across the northern expanse of District 8 along highway 14. And after driving through all those counties, I can’t help but ask, what ever happened to Rick Weible running for State Senate?

Because along the entire route, this is what I saw whenever I saw a political sign:

Reisch, Crabtree, and Walburg signs.  Maybe there were a couple outgrowths of Republican signs in the District without one of them there, but literally in every instance, there they were as a trio, as these were along the main drag in Lake Preston.   I will note I saw 1, maybe 2 Matt Wagner signs around Arlington. But with those exceptions, it was all Reisch, Crabtree and Walburg.   And absolutely no Rick Weible signs.

It’s like the man isn’t in the race.  Or, as noted by an event Weible’s campaign’s facebook site said he’s holding:

1 person going.

Based on Rick’s performance so far, I’m not thinking this campaign is going much further.

Not at all.

“Draft Jon Hansen for SD Governor” facebook page has been out there since 2023. Big nope on that one.

As ambitious politicians try to jockey for position, I had an observant reader out there point out the campaign that no one is asking for.  And it leads me to wonder, are South Dakota Republicans actually out there demanding this kind of mediocrity?

Garnering 33 likes and 40 followers out on facebook in the 15 months it has been out there, the “Draft Jon Hansen for SD Governor” effort might have attracted the attention of Carl Perry during the intervening months, but the number of supporters it has attracted seem pretty far and few between otherwise.

As you recall, Hansen rose to the level of being the Speaker Pro Tempore in the House of Representatives in 2021-2022… and stalled out there. And he seems to jump on every anti- bandwagon he can for attention, including the anti-vaxxer movement, the anti-pipeline movement, and the anti-abortion movement.

With this not so subtle hint that Hansen might have ambitions to that office, it kind of makes one wonder what’s going to happen to the mailing list for the Hansen-led Life Defense Fund after this years’ campaign is over?  (Is there a provision to un-sign with that group too)?

Governor Kristi Noem’s Weekly Column: Appreciating Teachers

Appreciating Teachers
By: Governor Kristi Noem
May 3, 2024

May 6th – 10th is Teacher Appreciation Week, a time to celebrate our educators and thank them for everything they do for our students.

But there’s an ongoing problem in South Dakota – teacher salaries have not kept up with increased funding to education. In fact, teacher pay lags far behind the 26.3% increase in funding to K-12 education since I have been Governor. Our teachers deserve better – so we’re giving them better.

My administration recognizes and appreciated the many contributions of our teachers every single day, and this legislative session we placed a special focus on educators. I was proud to sign SB 127, which establishes a minimum teacher salary and revises the requirements pertaining to average teacher compensation. The new law requires districts to meet a minimum annual teacher salary of at least $45,000. It also requires districts to keep pace with annual increases in state funding. This will ensure that teachers do not get left behind like they have far too often.

Rapid City was one school district that was lagging behind in teacher pay, but now, they recently announced they would meet the $45,000 minimum beginning this fall – two years ahead of the deadline! I am so glad this law is already creating a lasting impact on teachers in our schools.

It took a lot of hard work to get this important legislation across the finish line and to my desk. Together, we are making sure that teachers receive the pay they deserve. The Blue-Ribbon promise to increase teacher pay and to make teachers a top priority is now being upheld.

This session, we also made sure our teachers will be equipped to deliver the most proven model of literacy teaching to our kids as the drop in literacy rates is a challenge to schools across America. HB 1022 makes an appropriation to the Department of Education to provide teachers with the latest tools for professional development in literacy. This works with my Department of Education’s statewide literacy initiative based on the Science of Reading. It includes an emphasis on phonics, which is the proven best way to teach kids how to read. This legislation funds the continuation of this fantastic effort.

Our teachers do so much more than educate our kids. They teach them life skills. They help them grow and develop. And they care for them. Young minds grow and develop.

This Teacher Appreciation Week, I encourage you to reach out to the teachers in your life, whether they be your kids’ teachers, a friend or family member, or even a former teacher of your own who made a lasting impact. Thank them for all that they do. And let them know just how important we know they are.

To our South Dakota teachers, thank you for caring for and educating the next generation.

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Congressman Dusty Johnson’s Weekly Update: Improving Connections

Improving Connections
By Congressman Dusty Johnson

BIG Update

Often, Native Americans are wrongfully left to pay medical bills owed by the Indian Health Service (IHS) through Purchased/Referred Care claims. Patients then must decide to either pay a bill they don’t personally owe or risk the bill getting sent to debt collectors. In March, I introduced the Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act to reform IHS and protect Native Americans’ credit.

My bill was discussed during a House Natural Resources Committee hearing this week. Getting a hearing on a bill in Congress is a big deal. Tens of thousands of bills get introduced every two years, but only several hundred receive a hearing. I’m glad this bill is one of those few and hope it passes the Committee soon.

Chairwoman Janet Alkire from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and I testified in support of my bill. You can see my remarks here.

Johnson and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairwoman Janet Alkire

BIG Idea

Regulations and bureaucratic red tape make it difficult to deploy new broadband infrastructure in rural America. I introduced the FOREST Act this week to streamline the permitting process for new broadband infrastructure projects to keep rural Americans up to speed.

BIG News

The United States Postal Service announced its final reorganization plan for South Dakota’s facilities. The Sioux Falls Processing and Distribution Center will be turned into a Local Processing Center and a Sorting and Delivery Center. The nationwide restructuring is intended to increase efficiency for mail deliveries, but there are concerns this will decrease mail delivery speeds in rural areas like South Dakota, where mail will now travel hundreds of extra miles to reach its final destination. It’s unfortunate dozens of jobs will be lost or transferred out of state, forcing families to relocate or find another job. This week, I met with Brandon Delzer, the President of South Dakota Rural Letter Carriers Association, to discuss the restructuring and other postal issues.

Johnson and Brandon Delzer, President of South Dakota Rural Letter Carriers Association

South Dakota Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Program Hosts Awareness/Training Event Monday in Rapid City 

South Dakota Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Program Hosts Awareness/Training Event Monday in Rapid City 

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) program is hosting its first-ever awareness and training event Monday in Rapid City.

“This training is a collaborative effort designed to emphasize and strengthen efforts for missing and murdered indigenous persons,” said Attorney General Marty Jackley. “We owe it to the families and friends of those who are no longer with us, either through death or absence, to keep searching for the truth.

Monday’s event will include presentations on issues such as what people should do when someone is missing or murdered, how the prosecution process works, and the boundaries of the court protection order. Also to be discussed is the cultural relevancy for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons.

South Dakota’s MMIP program is part of the Attorney General’s Office. It was created in 2022 by former Attorney General Mark Vargo.  Allison Morrisette is the director.

Monday’s event is being held at the Dahl Fine Arts Center in Rapid City.

Sunday is National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Day.

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