From the Argus Leader, Mark Mickelson is profiled, with discussions surrounding his potential entrance into the contest for Governor in 2018:
The stars are aligning for a gubernatorial run in 2018, with Mickelson already building his war chest through a political action committee for a possible Republican primary showdown with attorney general Marty Jackley and perhaps U.S. Representative Kristi Noem.
“There are things you need to prepare for if you feel like that’s something you would be good at and find rewarding,” says Mickelson carefully, mindful of his 2016 House re-election bid. “I’d be lying to you if I said I didn’t have an interest in running (for governor), but it’s premature to talk about it.”
And just as Mickelson stresses that he must make his way politically as more than just a famous name, legislative colleagues agree that any future laurels will be merit-based.
“His name recognition is good, but I still don’t think a lot of people truly know who he is,” says Dean Wink, a West River rancher and current House speaker. “He’ll have a chance to win them over.”
Lee Schoenbeck, a Watertown lawyer and longtime state legislator, agreed that Mickelson still has work to do to prove that he’s more about leadership than legacy.
“With the populist nature of South Dakota, nobody gets to inherit anything in politics,” said Schoenbeck. “He may have found some early opportunities in the legislature because of who he is, but the governor’s race is going to be won by somebody who earns it.”
None of this is news to Mickelson, whose passion for economic development, technical schools and agricultural modernization has him excited about becoming more than the grandson or son of a famous governor and simply someone who can make South Dakota better.
What are your opinions on Mickelson’s chances if he gets into the race? If there a favorite among he, Marty Jackley, Congresswoman Kristi Noem, or anyone else who might enter the race?
Both Jackley and Noem will have their hands full with this freight train in 2018.
He will box Noem out.
How many times have Mickelson, Noem and Jackley been on the ballot statewide?
Kristi will be hard to beat. First female Governor in South Dakota history!
Mickelson is a Sioux Falls Liberal. That dog is not going to hunt In a GOP primary.
Get serious.
That poster is-serious–Mikelson is for common core; voted for like one gun bill out of 7; joined with Democrats to have no fault divorce brought out of committee before then voting against it on the floor when the tide turned. Shall I go on? Look at his record, watch his votes.
Being against Medicaid expansion would be a step in the right direction…
He’s not for common core.
I agree with the earlier poster…Mikelson gives me pause…I went and looked at the common core vote last year on HB1223 and Mikelson voted for keeping common core…looks like he supports it to me.
FOR COMMON CORE on that vote
Bartling, Bordeaux, Conzit, Cronin, Deutsch, Dreyden, Duvall, Gibson, Harrison, Hawks, Hawley, Leslie Heinemann, Holmes, Hunhoff, Jensen, Johns, Killer, Kirschman, McCleerey, Mickelson, Muensterman, Otten, Partridge, Peterson, Ring, Romkema, Rounds, Rozum, Schoenbeck, Schoenfish, Schrempp, Sly, Soli, Solum, Stevens, Tulson, Werner, Willadsen. Wallmann.
AGAINST COMMON CORE
Anderson, Beal, Bolin, Brunner, Campbell, Craig, DiSanto, Feickert, Gosch, Lana Greenfield, Haggar, Haugaard, Hickey, Hunt, Kaiser, Klumb, Langer, Latterell, Marty, May, Novstrup, Qualm, Rasmussen, Russell, Schaefer, Stalzer, Verchio, Westra, Wiik, Zikmund, and Wink.
Nobody even knows what the common cores are, let alone cares. They are like the boogie men that Mr. Nelson used to talk about.
Booga booga booga. Common cores gonna get ya.
Get real, gentlemen, and focus on issues that matter. Or go sit in the corner with Stace.
Ah, the brutal primary has already begun. Keep it up,……. but wait a minute, I need to go get some more popcorn….. When is intermission?…. Anybody, when?
I honestly think all 3 of them would make a pretty good governor and I would have no problem voting for any of them in the general election.
I’m with Noem though. I think she’ll be tough to beat because she’s the only one of the 3 that’s been through a tough race. And, while I think we’ve had some good Governors, I’m ready for someone to change it up a little. I think Mickelson and Jackley both represent a continuation of the status quo in Pierre. They’re both in the good ole boys club and if given the choice I say we go with someone from out side that .
Noem is a good ‘campaigner’ who has no record of accomplishment in Pierre or DC. Voters would be betting, not knowing, that she could actually do the job.
Lee is right. Name ID, legacy, past statewide success, etc. is not going to be the criteria for getting the nomination.
Neither is is going to be a single vote on a single issue in the past (agree or disagree). The voters know if the only person they agree with100% of the time is the themselves and only if they have never changed their mind.
It’s about the total package, including their ability to run the government and get things done, ability to communicate their vision for the future, willingness to work hard meeting and listening with voters to understand their vision and expectations, and then best ability to deliver.
Mark may be the least known vs. Noem and Jackley but so was his dad in 1986 and we know how that turned out. If all he has to offer is his dad’s name, he won’t go far. But if he inherited his dad’s work ethic, human skills to both lead and listen, and ability to grasp the collective aspirations of the people, he will be a most formidable candidate and superb Governor.
Oooo, this is going to be a tough selection for our group. Kristi is such a peach, and a frequent visitor at our gatherings. She even brings treats! General Jackley came to visit, and while we agree that he had a nice smile, he doesn’t seem at ease. Our group thinks Mr. Jackley will need to get out of Pierre; connect with real people…..go to a few chislic feeds and fish fries. Don’t get us wrong, we are impressed with his record, but he seems kind of in it for himself. Mark, well, nice smile, comfortable, conversational, he definitely reminds the older members of his Dad. I was in my twentys, so I didn’t have the chance to meet Governor Mickelson, but I heard he was fantastic. Again, we are unsettled on our decision, but we have lots of time for our sponsor fund to grow before we have to decide.
What group is that?
What kind of treats does she bring?
Mickelson is kind of like Jeb Bush. Lots of money, big donors and smart on policy.
I don’t now if he would want to be compared to Jeb Bush these days…horrible at debates, low energy, way behind in all the polls state and national and no chance to winning….
I’m not knocking him for being like Jeb Bush. That is just what he makes me think of.
He’s following the same model also. Raise lots of money and try to scare other people out of the race. I don’t know if that will work against Noem or not. She will have to decide if she wants to take him on or take a pass on the governor’s race like she did for the senate. At some point I think she will try to flex her muscles and prove to SD that she really is a big deal to be feared on the campaign trail. So far she seems risk averse.
The Jeb Bush comparison is what I thought.
He doesn’t have the experience.
He also went to Haaaaaavard which automatically raises issues of authenticity.
Really? He is accomplished and smart. This bothers you?
What has he accomplished?
Who claimed that he was not smart?
Noem holds all of the cards in her hands. Assuming she is re-elected this year and runs for governor in ’18, then Huether will be the next governor and Brendan Johnson will be the next congressperson…. The future fate of the two parties in South Dakota is all up to her.
I agree with Lee and Troy, that it will take more than I.D. and legacy to win the Republican gubernatorial race in ’18 in SD, but those same qualities will be imperative if Mickelson wants to defeat Huether in the fall, however. But if Noem runs for governor, regardless of who ends up with the Republican gubernatorial nomination, her candidacy will divide the GOP and hand the Governor’s mansion to Huether….. Noem holds all of the cards….
Mickelson is the strongest Republican gubernatorial candidate for 2018 in my estimation, but you Republicans know better than a Dem like me if he can for sure get the nomination. It will be fun to watch.
No one seems to be talking about Michels, however, but I would not count him out for the nomination. Daugaard seems to have broken the historic jinx against ambitious LG candidates and it is now up to Michels to prove it is truly gone. He could be the SD GOP’s “2002 Rounds” in 2018. If the SD GOP ends up with a broker convention, that is. Michels is sharp and often ignored or underestimated. But I question if he can beat Huether in the long run. Huether has a stronger name I.D. and definitely more cash.
That’s such a load of crap. Is this going to be the tactic of the MIckelson camp? “Kristi better not run for Governor or she’ll ruin things for the party. If she really cares about the GOP then she’ll stay in Congress like a good little girl…”
I am smiling right now…..
Winston, I don’t see Noem being interested in running for Governor. It may be fun to throw her in there for speculation and spur more discussion but just don’t believe it will happen. She has a good gig in DC and is gaining more seniority.
More than likely it will be a race between future Governor Mark Mickelson and our present AG Marty Jackley. Marty Jackley would probably also be a very good Governor but I see Mickelson being the front runner in what could be a very good primary which will be the real race. The state Democrats won’t offer much of a challenge.
She’s interested but she’s getting boxed out by two heavyweights.
But isn’t she a “heavy-weight”, too? Given the recent DWC blog piece which exemplifies her electoral dominance?
Huether will get drilled. I like him ok but he’d get drilled. He’s a Sioux Falls guy.
I agree that Michels shouldn’t be written off. He’s great.
Why do most people claim to be “anonymous” on this site? Most are afraid to say what they think in South Dakota … Especially members of the dominant party. That does not indicate “freedom”. South Dakota Republicans are afraid of their party bosses. George Mickelson had the guts to call for Reconciliation. This version of the party is more concerned with maintaining control of the party and the state.