Category: Uncategorized

State Representative John Mills didn’t seem to earn any brownie points with Governor Noem today, as he is the chief legislative source for a hit piece written today at the National Review website attacking Governor Noem, mainly over legislation which would have prohibited transgendered people from participating in high school sports.

Of which there aren’t any right now, but whatever:

But even as she began to position herself as a national contender in the first months of 2021, Noem’s status as a rising Republican star has been dampened by a number of controversies back home. Most notably, her surprise “style-and-form” veto of House Bill 1217 — a law that would have banned biological males from competing in women’s sports — did serious damage to the young governor’s star power. The move effectively gutted the legislation and hurt her self-styled image as a staunch conservative fighter; Noem was accused of caving to the demands of the NCAA, Amazon, and the number of other powerful left-leaning corporations that had opposed the legislation. For many of those on the right who had viewed her as an island of sanity and courage, the decision was a betrayal.

and..

I think one of the most common words that I have heard in recent years in relation to the governor is ‘disappointment,’” says John Mills, a Republican lawmaker representing South Dakota’s House District 4. “And you know, many of us who had high hopes for her have felt that disappointment.”

Noem’s office declined to give an interview but pushed back firmly in an emailed statement on any suggestion that the governor is being improperly influenced.

“Nobody is making decisions for her,” a spokesman tells National Review.

Read the entire article here.

Several months back at a local GOP meeting, Rep. Mills and Senator VJ Smith got in a bit of a loud disagreement across the meeting room over transgendered people in sports, with Rep. Mills having a biblical view of transgenderism in sports, and Senator Smith having an opposing view over whether legislation was needed.

So, I’m not surprised over his vocal opinion.. but maybe a little surprised he’d take after the Governor in this manner as part of a hit piece.

Ultimately, Governor Noem has to do just that – govern. And that’s not just govern those who consider themselves conservative christians, but everyone who lives in the state, regardless of party. And dying on the hill of legislation that would affect 2-3 people across her entire term of office, versus letting the High School Activities Association deal with it on as as needed basis, seems a lot more sensible.

Flags at Half-Staff in Honor of Former Legislator Bob Faehn

PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem has ordered that flags be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol from sunrise until sundown on Friday, September 17 in honor of former State Representative Robert (Bob) Faehn. Faehn served as state representative from 2005 to 2010, including as Majority Leader from 2009 to 2010 and as Majority Whip from 2007 to 2008.

“Bob was a dear friend, and it was a tremendous privilege to serve as his assistant majority leader. Bryon and I are praying for his family,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “He was a tremendous statesman and a gentleman besides. He advocated tirelessly on behalf of South Dakota’s technical colleges, helping to make them among the very best in America.”

A memorial service for Faehn will be held on Friday, September 17, 2:00 pm CT at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Watertown.

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If you saw the coverage of the rally across the street from Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls yesterday, there appears to be a bit of a story behind the story.

It appears that the “Medical Freedom” rally which took place in Sioux falls yesterday with State Representative Jon Hansen and Anti-Vaxxer Mya Olson was less an organic movement of concerned citizens, and more an organized political rally. At least, according to a filing with the Secretary of State from the organization that sponsored said rally.

On Facebook and elsewhere, a poster declared the march to be sponsored or at least in conjunction with a group calling themselves “Patriot Ripple Effect.”

Well, ok. But who are they?   There’s not really a readily available Facebook presence or website. Just an e-mail address. But despite the flyer lacking any sort of political disclaimer, according to a June 9 filing with the Secretary of State, “Ripple Effect” actually seems to be organized as a Political Action Committee:

Ripple Effect Sdcfdisclosure by Pat Powers on Scribd

With Adam Broin acting as President of the group, and former Minnehaha Co GOP Chair Dave Roetman noted as the group’s Treasurer on the filing, “Ripple Effect” expressly delineates as their “Statement of Purpose or Goals” that the group exists “To support candidates for office in South Dakota.”  Which doesn’t seem to have much to do with promoting “Medical Freedom.”

Broin was speaking as part of the “Medical Freedom” Rally yesterday as part of the group’s sponsorship of the event…

But that wasn’t the first time he’s been in front of a crowd speaking about his organization. Apparently, Broin was representing the “Ripple Effect” group as part of the fringe “Primary John Thune” group’s America First rally in Sioux Falls, (ironically, Bruce Whalen cited the date of the rally as when he caught COVID).

(Broin’s comments start at about 1:48)

It kind of leaves you wondering what the group is actually up to, and what the goal is they’re trying to accomplish.

The group seems to be insinuating themselves into Sioux Falls political scene on behalf of the most hard-right elements in politics. And given their participation in the Anti-Thune rally, and stated goal to “support candidates for office in South Dakota,” it remains to be seen who they’ll be promoting in the upcoming election.

So, keep your eyes open. And stay tuned.

The Argus Leader has a story this morning on David Barranco’s entrance into the Sioux Falls City Council race for Rick Kiley’s seat being vacated in 2022:

David Barranco filed a statement of organization Monday, stating he would be running to represent the southeast district, a seat currently occupied by Councilor Rick Kiley, who is term-limited.

The paperwork was filed shortly after an active campaign website with pages on his personal life, vision for Sioux Falls, donations and campaigning went live.

Go read the entire story here.

And make sure you check out Dave’s website at https://www.barranco.solutions/

After a long illness, former Republican House Majority Leader Bob Faehn passed away on Monday.

From the obituary:

Bob Faehn, age 63 of Watertown, SD passed away September 13, 2021.

Services will be 2:00 pm, Friday, September 17, 2021 at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Watertown.

Visitation will be from 3:30 pm – 7:30 pm, with a prayer service at 7:30 pm., on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church.

Burial will be private.

The family asks that memorials be directed to the Watertown Area Breast Cancer Support Group, 25 Third Ave SW, Watertown, SD 57201.

Read and offer your remembrance here.

Bob served in the South Dakota House for 6 years, serving as Majority Whip and later Majority Leader from 2009-2010.

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Sioux Falls City Council races are starting to get more active with candidates starting to make it known that “they’re in,” such as Mayor Paul TenHaken announcing re-election yesterday.

I’ve heard rumors that other candidates are quietly getting prepped to run, including for the council seat currently held Janet Brekke. Word is that people are thinking she could stand to move on down the road.  Curt Soehl is also up, but not a big movement to challenge him.

With term limits coming into play, Councilor Christine Erickson and Rick Kiley are termed out in 2022. And for Kiley’s seat, one aspirant for the Council is making it known that he’s in the race for the open seat.

David Barranco is getting ready to move forward with his candidacy and this past Friday announced to friends privately that he’s running, and is noting his interest, in an e-mail statement provided to SDWC:

In 2022, when Councilman Kiley’s term ends, his seat will be open. I am excited to run for that position. My hope is to serve working families, keeping a pragmatic, problem-solving focus. I’m dedicated to building a bright future for Sioux Falls, with a strong economy and reliable infrastructure.

I’m passionate about expanding the local workforce and creating more affordable housing. As a husband, father, and FCA coach, I’m dedicated to keeping kids safe by supporting law enforcement and defending public health. I’ll endeavor to grow pet-friendly spaces, reduce automobile traffic, and plant thousands of trees. Most importantly, I’ll strive to be a cooperative consensus builder — one who embraces good policy but eschews divisive rhetoric.

After the last couple of years, can we have a Sioux Falls city campaign that isn’t divisive? We’ll see!

Congratulations for David for his willingness to serve, and it should be interesting to see who else announces in the coming months.

Stay tuned!

“Norm @normmacdonald was a great talent, and I loved laughing with him on SNL. *Bob Dole* will miss Norm Macdonald.” pic.twitter.com/gPsdyJ5tS9

— Senator Bob Dole (@SenatorDole) September 14, 2021

Here’s the latest on COVID hospitalizations from Sanford Health:

As compared to last weeks’ numbers:

Those numbers continue to be creeping upwards..

 

Thune: Biden’s Disastrous Afghanistan Withdrawal Emboldens Terrorists, Abandons Americans and Allies

“The United States’ disastrous, hasty withdrawal is a stain on our nation’s history and a betrayal of the men and women who fought there.” 

Click here or on the picture above to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today called for Congress to conduct a thorough investigation into the Biden administration’s disastrous and chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. With the nation having recently marked the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Thune reiterated that the service and sacrifice of those American troops who served in Afghanistan was not in vain. Thune also discussed the Democrats’ out-of-control spending in Washington, D.C., and the urgent need to prevent saddling future generations with burdensome debt.

A while back I’d heard some rumors that state Democrats might be running Dan Ahlers for US Senate as their sacrificial lamb candidate against US Senator John Thune.

And given his performance in the last election (35.3% to Mike Rounds’ 65.7%), one would not be considered poorly for thinking “naaahhh.”

Because seriously, he got smoked. Trounced. Soundly defeated and shellacked.

But this morning, a Federal Elections Commission filing was made, correcting an error on an old filing.  And it drew my attention to his most recent FEC filing, for April through the end of June where apparently Ahlers is spending a bit to keep up his US Senate website. And he’s still actively sitting on $20k in cash.

Interesting.  And maybe an indication that there’s at least a hint of truth to the rumors.