Category: Uncategorized

It hasn’t widely hit the news, but former Democrat PUC Commissioner Ken Stofferahn passed away on March 18th in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Stofferahn had ran for US Senate in 1972 as a Republican, and served as a State Representative as a Republican from 1975-1977, at which time he was one of the rare South Dakota public officials who switched over to become a Democrat, running under that party’s banner for U.S. Senate (1978), U.S. House (1980), and Governor (1986).  From 1978-1996, Stofferahn served in the Public Utilities Commission as one of the state’s few Democrat officeholders.

An Obituary is available here, and a memorial service will be held at 9 AM Saturday, March 23 at First Lutheran Church, 1551 S 70th St, Lincoln, NE.

Former Speaker of the House Spencer Gosch has apparently filed petitions this afternoon to run for the South Dakota House of Representatives once again.

It’s hard to imagine Gosch trying to come back after his disastrous stint as speaker, where he led a closed door impeachment process..

Back in September, Speaker @SpencerGosch promised a transparent impeachment process. Since then, he’s failed repeatedly to live up to that. https://t.co/iWfvahhbEe

— Joe Sneve (@Argus_Joe) December 27, 2021

… which earned him a lawsuit for his lack of open government.

And it comes after his taxpayer funded junket to Hawaii after he lost for Senate during his last time at bat.

In fact, that incident was so egregious, just a little over a year ago a bill was introduced in the State Legislature to try to prevent what happened the last time he was there:

The bill stems from a legislative trip to Hawaii the former Speaker of the House, Spencer Gosch, and former House Minority Leader took in December with other legislators to a legislative conference in Hawaii. Gosch was defeated in the 2022 Republican primary for Senate, and Smith, a Democrat, lost to Gov. Kristi Noem in her 2022 re-election race.

and..

Bill supporter, Republican Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt of Sioux Falls, said the measure is about legislators’ accountability. She said there might be times when a non-returning legislature might be suitable to represent the state at an out-of-state conference.

You can read that here.

If he thinks he can run again, I guess it’s a free country. But I have the feeling the postcards are going to come flying..

Flags at Half-Staff at State Capitol in Honor of Former State Legislator Claire B. Konold

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem ordered that flags be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol from sunrise until sunset on Monday, March 25^th, 2024, in honor of former state legislator Claire B. Konold. He represented Codington County in the South Dakota State House of Representatives from 1997-2004.

Funeral services for former state legislator Claire B. Konold will take place at 11:00 am on March 25^th, 2024, at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Watertown, SD.

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According to court records, on Monday former Black Hills area newscaster Shad Olson received a continuance from the court on his impending trial for Domestic Abuse Aggravated Assault/Strangulation, a third degree felony under South Dakota law.

If you recall, as related in the Argus Leader, the victim alleged that Olson had assaulted her on more than one occasions:

The victim asked Olson “if he was drinking already and he became mad.” She then told Olson, who she described as unemployed and lacking a source of income, that she “works hard to support their family,” to which he simply retorted she was a “crazy [expletive],” documents state.

and..

From there, the victim said Olson chased after her as she ran away from her home. They had been living together from some time, but she told the officer “she pays for everything in the home while Olson worries about the country,” the documents read.

The officer asked the victim if Olson had assaulted her before, with her replying “yes.”

The victim said Olson, who runs his own far-right, eponymic podcast, is “stressed over politics,” which influences his drinking. She then told the officer Olson blames his political frustrations on her.

Read that here.

Back on February 10, Olson pled “Not Guilty” to charges, and had been jailed through February 23rd until a $5000 cash bond was posted by former District 34 Legislative Candidate Jodi Frye.

A motions hearing is now scheduled for May 10.

So I got an odd press release yesterday from ‘Heather Baxter’ from who is announcing her candidacy for South Dakota District 34 House. If you’re not familiar with Baxter, she’s the secretary of the Pennington County GOP, and along with Phil Jensen has sued the Pennington County Auditor a couple of times in the last year (51CIV22-001283, 51CIV22-001288) over something or another, costing taxpayers money for the hiring of outside counsel with expertise in elections.

And now, she’s apparently got a beef with the incumbents in District 34 House, as included in her announcement..

Who ever cobbled together her utterly gobbledygook of a press release needs to work on formatting when they’re cutting and pasting, because the end product that arrived in mailboxes was a mess. And I haven’t gotten to the content yet.

“My decision to run for office is deeply influenced by the lack of responsive leadership we see from our elected officials,” Baxter said, “we deserve leadership that hears, understands and cares for the people’s needs in the South Dakota Legislature, just like we would a patient.”

That’s just awful, and could stand to be trimmed up by half, if not 2/3.  Is the point of a press release getting a point across that someone will actually use, or self-aggrandizing?

The campaign season has begun. I have no doubt this is not the last awful communication we’re going to read from a candidate.

Well, that’s a new one.

Yesterday, the Hand County Republican Party announced the speaker for their Republican Lincoln Day Dinner, a function designed to raise money for the group to conduct election related activities. And, It’s not something I’ve ever seen in 35 years of Republican Party activism.

Are they highlighting one of our elected officials, taking time from Washington or Pierre? No. No it’s not. Or featuring someone from another community who might be looking at running for higher office in the near future?  Nope. Someone from out of State, promoting a message of Republican unity to win elections in the fall?  Well, we can’t have that.

Well, who are they bringing in?

Stu Cvrk, Chair of the recently formed Bon Homme GOP.

No, really.

As opposed to bringing in someone who might help the local party raise money and bring people in, they’re bringing in someone from a different county whose claim to fame in the SDGOP is working to replace ‘establishment Republicans?‘  (click on the link, I’m not kidding)

I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a GOP group featuring someone working to throw out the people they’ve elected to office within the GOP.

Working to beat Democrats? Sure. But typically not working to beat members of their own party.

So, Statewide GOP and Hand County Republican elected officials.. I really hate to ask the question – but you aren’t going to buy tickets, and place ads in the Lincoln Day Dinner program to support a message of giving you the boot, are you? Because that seems counter-productive.

Food for thought.

Senator Mike Diedrich Endorses Jason Green for Senate in Rapid City’s District 34

Rapid City, SD – After serving the people of District 34 for 13 years in the South Dakota Legislature, Senator Mike Diedrich announced today that he will not seek re-election to the South Dakota Senate after the conclusion of his current term.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve my neighbors in District 34 as your Senator,” said Diedrich.  “As I serve the remainder of this term, I would like to thank all my colleagues and friends who I’ve been blessed to work with over the years. So many have reached out to me, and I draw strength from them as I continue to fight cancer.  Most of all, I thank my wife Connie and my sons Chris and Ross for their unwavering support. They are my rock.”

We need good people who come without an agenda to solve problems and leave our state better for their time in Pierre.  That is why as my successor for District 34 Senate, I enthusiastically endorse my friend, Jason Green.”

“Like me, Jason is a former City Attorney and current in-house counsel for Monument Health. The experiences of solving problems every day prepared me very well to serve in the Senate. With those same experiences, I am confident Jason will continue District 34’s tradition of bringing people together and solving problems through steady leadership in the State Senate,” Diedrich said.

Jason Green states “I am humbled and honored to receive Senator Diedrich’s endorsement.  The community greatly benefited from Senator Diedrich’s service in many capacities over the years.  I intend to continue working hard for the people of District 34 just as he does.”

Green brings a wealth of experience to the Senate.  After more than 10 years in the City Attorney’s Office in Rapid City, Jason has continued to serve the community working as Associate General Counsel at Monument Health.  Green is a 2005 graduate of Leadership Rapid City, a former adjunct professor at the University of South Dakota West River Campus, and a Life Member of the NRA.

As a conservative Republican, Jason will focus on ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent in a fiscally responsible manner, improving infrastructure to provide Rapid City with access to vital resources and economic opportunity, supporting public safety, and continuing South Dakota’s tradition of limited government to maximize individual freedom.

Jason has a long history of community involvement, including volunteering with the Black Hills Federal Credit Union for more than 14 years, serving in many roles including being elected to several terms as Chairman by his fellow Board and Committee members.  Additionally, he has served on the Governing Board and Finance Committees for Wellfully, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to providing addiction recovery, behavioral and psychiatric residential care to youth in the Black Hills area.  Green also serves on the Rapid City Parks and Recreation Golf Course advisory committee.

Jason Green is a graduate of the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and was recognized as an Outstanding Recent Graduate in 2007.  He also holds two law degrees, one from the University of South Dakota School of Law and the other from Loyola University Chicago.

“My promise to taxpayers is that I look forward to working hard every day for the people of District 34 and I ask for your support on June 4th in the Republican primary election.”

Johnson Welcomes Governor Noem to House Ag Committee

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as a witness before the House Agriculture Committee hearing titled “The Danger China Poses to American Agriculture.” Noem and Johnson have been outspoken about the threat of the Chinese Communist Party purchasing U.S. farmland.

“China is our biggest adversary. Governor Noem has been active in stopping the threat of the Chinese Communist Party in South Dakota,” said Johnson. “I’m proud to welcome Governor Noem back to the House Ag Committee to share her perspective on how the state and federal government can work together to protect the U.S. from the CCP.”

HALVERSON ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE

(Winner, SD) Jim Halverson announced today that he will be running for State Representative in District 21, which covers the counties of Aurora, Charles Mix, Douglas, Gregory, and Tripp. Halverson has been a resident of the Winner area for nearly 40 years and currently works as an electrician at H&O Electric in Winner and coaches the Winner High School boys and girls golf teams. He resides just west of Winner with his wife, Coni.

“As I look forward to the coming years, I want to represent the people of all these communities and ensure all of their perspectives are finding a platform in Pierre. I believe my conservative values, common sense approach to good legislation, and ability to listen makes me someone who can serve our people well,” said Halverson.

Halverson brings a lifetime of experience serving our communities to the role. He moved back to the area in 1981 after serving with the South Dakota Highway Patrol. He’s since worked as a journeyman electrician at H&O Electric, and as the farm store manager at the Country Pride Coop. He’s also an active member of the South Central Economic Development Corporation and the El Riad Shrine Club.

Halverson also brings a wealth of shared knowledge and wisdom from his father, Harold Halverson, who served 26 years in the SD Legislature. For years, he watched as his father built relationships and demonstrated thoughtful decision-making to help South Dakota. He witnessed and studied what honest public service looks like and wants to serve his state with that same devotion.

“South central South Dakota is an amazing place to live, work, grow, and raise a family. I want to go to Pierre to help us make good decisions to give the next generation – the young people and families of our communities – a reason to come back here and make a home. We need to keep taxes as low as possible, invest thoughtfully in education and workforce development, and improve our laws rather than just add more of them. I know I can do that with the help of the good people of this area.”

Halverson’s addition to the race sets up a three-way Republican Party Primary in District 21. The Primary Election will be held on June 4, 2024.

KRISTI GOLDEN ANNOUNCES DISTRICT 9 HOUSE CANDIDACY

Hartford, SD — Kristi Golden has announced her candidacy as a Republican for District 9 House.

“After raising my family in District 9, I am thrilled at the chance to represent my friends and neighbors. Throughout my career, I’ve been involved in serving the community and public service which has included a variety of experiences that have shaped my skills and perspectives. I’ve learned that big, top-down approaches aren’t always effective in solving problems. It’s the grassroots, local-up solutions that truly create meaningful change,” said Golden.

Golden is a founding member of the West Central Education Foundation which has raised and distributed nearly $200,000 for projects in the district.

“I’m proud to have deep South Dakota roots and strong core values. I believe in supporting strong, healthy families, fiscally conservative management of our resources, and investing in our state’s future,” said Golden. “I’m excited to bring a fresh outlook to the table and am eager to tackle the issues that matter most to the people of South Dakota.”

Golden is a graduate of Washington High School and the University of Sioux Falls. She and husband, Bill have two adult daughters. Golden experience includes working on Capitol Hill for U.S. Senator Larry Pressler, guest hosting and covering local politics on local talk radio, and running her own business.

For more information about Kristi Golden’s campaign for State House, please visit www.kristigolden.com or connect on social media.