Democrat Senator Jamie Smith says Sioux Falls needs action. History shows that you shouldn’t look to Jamie Smith for anything resembling action.

@SoDakCampaigns

This ad caught my eye on Facebook today, as Democrat State Senator Jamie Smith rattled off the things that he believes Sioux Falls needs to move forward.

As he dons a Republican-red Duluth Trading Co vest which looks like it still has the tags on it, Smith tells the residents of Sioux Falls that he will prioritize affordable living, public safety and infrastructure in his advertising. Unfortunately, in looking at his long legislative record, it doesn’t seem like any of these has been a big deal to him.

He’s been in a unique position as a state legislator where he can actually do things.  But, at least to date, Smith has not been big on doing things. Especially when it comes to the things he says Sioux Falls needs. Despite having all the power in the world to initiate action, most of them haven’t really haven’t been on his wish list. At all.  Take this last years’ session, for instance:

Repeal Capital Punishment… not exactly a public safety measure as much as a go softer on crime measure.  Kind of like his Rename the Department of Corrections measure. .. something about corrections and hugs…   I’m being sarcastic there, but what would a name change without any specific policy directives accomplish other than be a feel-good measure?  He did manage to pass a measure to allow interpreters for a portion of driving tests – doing nothing for affordable living, public safety and infrastructure. And he wanted to honor a former Democrat legislator, in a resolution that was killed.

In fact, looking at his top issue, affordable living, I went back through his entire legislative tenure, starting with his first session in 2017, where he was in the House, and on the Local Government Committee.  2017 – ZERO bills brought.  2018 – Nothing on affordable living. I don’t think “property assessed clean energy programs” is anything in that category. In fact it might be the opposite.

Here’s where it gets better. 2019 – ZERO bills brought.  2020 – No affordable living bills. He did sponsor the measure where government officials could seek to strip you of your rights if you had COVID.  But nothing for affordable living.   2021 –  Nothing on affordable living or much of anything. 2022 – Same thing. Definitely nothing on affordable living.

Why did I point out these years in particular? For 4 years he was the House Minority Leader. The leader of all Democrats in the South Dakota State House. In other words, over the years, despite affordable living being one of the state’s biggest issues, then and now, especially in terms of housing and despite being one of the top Democrats in all of South Dakota; Jamie Smith has sat on his hands, if he could be bothered to do anything at all.

At least until he decided he wants to run for yet another political office. Then things like “affordable living” suddenly become a top priority.

Sioux Falls Mayoral candidate Jamie Smith might put on his shiny new red vest, and make a lot of declarations. But a look at his history does not give one the impression that he’s ever been much for action.

32 thoughts on “Democrat Senator Jamie Smith says Sioux Falls needs action. History shows that you shouldn’t look to Jamie Smith for anything resembling action.”

  1. So the leader of one of the country’s largest superminorities doesn’t meet your mettle because he didn’t have the votes to do the job?

    Okay, Pat. Go off.

      1. Purpose bills that Republicans are vocal they would shoot down and having to run around to committees day in and out vs. Working with moderate Republicans to ensure crazy shit doesn’t infiltrate our state.

        Being the House Minority Leader would actually take more of his time too.

        You usually have okay takes but this one is just horrendous. If you’re going to criticize him then make if about the plan itself. You didn’t say anything about the proposals but spent more energy talking about his clean jacket.
        Do better

    1. This is the fellow who got famous for riding down the falls of the Big Sioux in a barrel, not just once, but twice in one afternoon, right? grudznick thinks that is pretty swell, but remains unconvinced when he is up against Mr. Jamison, Mr. Zokaites, and that nice young lady from Rapid City.

      1. Clearly Grudznick forgot that Jamison still hasn’t announced.. given his latency and lack of campaign time it seems as though he chickened out

            1. Indeed, but he is grudznick’s nephew’s best friend. So I need to give a little love to Mr. Zokaites.

      1. Be sure to the the extra affordability Trump bigly-biggest ever size diaper. I suspect you need the extra capacity.

  4. Wow! You have no idea how the legislature works then. South Dakota is the largest Republican super majority (by percentage) in the entire US. Senator Smith has tirelessly worked to advocate, build relationships, in a hostile, often petty environment where a Democrat could not even get a “second” in committee on a resolution affirming the superiority of Republicans. In this opaque cabal of one-party domination which our for founding fathers warned us about, Sen Smith has done everything humanly possible to use his voice to advocate for his constituents. Your analysis is incorrect and misleading in what it presents.

    1. I agree that Senator Smith has probably little chance to get any bill passed due his minority party status. We can look at this another way, though. He did not push a lot of bills just for the sake of having new laws on the booKs. Shouldn’t this be a positive for him as he runs for Sioux Falls Mayor? Also shouldn’t some Republicans follow his lead before dumb, time wasting legislation that NEVER WILL I pass is introduced??

      1. Yeah, if our legislature stopped proposing dumb bills then they could spend the time needed to address bigger issues (recidivism numbers and property taxes namely). Instead, they spend half their time trying to defund Huron schools, lock up librarians, and finding ways to dismantle public education. Oh, how could I forget laws that are unconstitutional and cost tax payers millions.
        So, yes, it’s better to propose things that have a chance instead of overloading the docket. Another stupid take from Pat.

    1. Only the anally fixated MAGAS make an issue of such things GOP’ers need to stay out of others bedrooms and bathrooms and take on the big issues

      1. true that; I think the solution to the bathroom and lockerroom problems is to equip the girls with tazers, and if they see anything in there they’ve never seen before, zap it.
        Good old-fashioned vigilantism is better than legislation any day. We don’t need laws!!!

    2. MAGAs have this creepy fixation with other people’s genitals. Must be why Grindr is famously overloaded whenever there is CPAC, TPUSA or some other MAGA event going on. Probably when our legislature is in session too.

  6. Repealing the death penalty is fiscally conservative. It is for more expensove than life imprisonment. Life in prison is not “soft on crime.” Braindead take, Pat.

  7. Nice hatchet job. If he wins I guess we’ll see. City races shouldn’t be marred by the taint of partisan politics, ideally. Not like ideals are a Republican concern in the Trump era.

  8. “you shouldn’t look to Jamie Smith for anything resembling action.”

    Unless he’s getting first in line at an all you can eat buffet.

    2. Wow I never thought of putting something out on the internet so poetically. Maybe put your name behind something so beautifully spoke so we can properly accredit you next time. Very insightful

      1. “Maybe put your name behind something so beautifully spoke so we can properly accredit you next time”

        Says Anonymous.

  9. To be fair, he is pretty outnumbered in modern South Dakota politics with the Dem title. Has any dem been “successful” in modern SD where there is a 10:1 ratio of the majority party?

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