Both Congresswoman Kristi Noem and State Rep Jim Bolin were featured in an Argus Leader article yesterday on people to watch in 2016 because of their elections this year:
Lederman had two more terms in the Senate, and Bolin said he would not have challenged his friend in a primary. But with Lederman gone, the calculus changed. “The odds are that I will,” he said. Bolin has been a worker bee for the state Republican Party. A conservative, Bolin has also parted ways with the governor on some key issues, which could explain why he wasn’t appointed to the seat. A primary between Bolin and Shorma would be one of the most watched in the state, pitting a veteran lawmaker against a newcomer who has the backing of the governor.
And..
When she first ran for the U.S. House in 2010, Kristi Noem predicted that she would only serve 10 years. While a successful re-election in 2016 wouldn’t bring her to the end of that self-imposed limit, it is the last election before the governor’s seat opens in 2018. To set the stage for a historic 2018 campaign for governor, Noem needs a convincing win in the 2016 House race against Democrat Paula Hawks. An overwhelming victory would make her an early favorite, and she last reported having $1.3 million in the bank, money which could be deployed in a race for governor.
And…
Some of her supporters are pushing her in that direction, and a big victory in this year’s House race would have all eyes on her as she makes a decision for 2018.
They are correct, the Bolin contest will be interesting to watch, and an expected Noem victory could set the stage for her entry into the 2018 gubernatorial race.
Bolin is the man! I wish I lived in his district and could vote for him.
Big fan of Jim Bolin. He swings a big stick.