It sounds like Independent candidate Neal Tapio did not want to answer questions at a local debate that he’d already agreed to participate in:
From the Story:
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD — District 5 House candidate Neal Tapio announced Tuesday, about two hours before the event, that he will not participate in tonight’s legislative debate hosted by the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce, saying the selection of the event’s moderator compromises the forum’s fairness.
Tapio, a 2021 Watertown Businessman of the Year and former State Senator, said his decision stems from concerns about moderator Lee Schoenbeck’s neutrality, a longtime state legislator and political figure.
and..
Tapio also criticized the Chamber’s selection process, saying Schoenbeck’s role as moderator…
“is a stain on the reputation of the Watertown Chamber of Commerce and is unfair for the voters of Watertown.”
Tapio, who is running as an Independent, said his decision reflects broader concerns about political leadership and party dynamics.
“I am a lifelong Republican who believes strongly in hard work, sacrifice, merit, faith and family,” Tapio said. “The very reason I am running as an Independent is because too many in the Republican (and Democrat) Party leadership are not guided by ethical behavior and a simple belief in right and wrong.”
Basically, he’s the only politician in the world who meets the standards in his head, so that’s why he’s running as an independent, and can’t handle questions posed to him that everyone else at the podium is going to answer.
This is the same person who, last time he ran, started yelling at faith leaders, and said he’d get elected to Congress if terrorists attacked America.
If he was elected, would he run away and leave the Capitol anytime someone disagrees with him? (We had one of those already, and we got rid of him.)
Neal, if you can’t stand the heat, don’t try to push your way into the kitchen.
NUT BAG!!
Is Shadra, Shandie or whatever managing Neal’s campaign again?
Talked with Lee today. He not even making up the questions. They are coming from the Chamber’s website or the audience.
Tapio was once elected as the District 5 Senator only because he had an R after his name. He proved to be a terrible rep for District 5 and even the staunchest republicans couldn’t wait for his term to end. I’m surprised he is running again.
He’s been a joke for a long time – supported by Koistinen and Holien. What does that tell you! He claimed residency in Watertown – nope. Lived in Colorado. I can’t believe the people of Dist. 5 were dumb enough to elect him the first time. He made a fool of them with his fit-for-the-nuthouse antics in Pierre.
To be fair to Mr. Tapio, he has been slapped around a few times in the past with logic from people far smarter than him. Particularly in the legislatures room they call the Senate. grudznick, and you fellows to,might enjoy but appreciate his anxiety over getting another dose of that treatment.
Mr. Tapio has been conditioned. Science.
When was Schoenbeck selected as moderator?
Mr. Schoenbeck is always the moderator.
Weeks ago.
So Mr. Tapio is not paying attention, or crying out for attention. Tapio is the official loser of the debates, as usual.
There are no appeals to the chair. Any such whining is out of order and not subject to appeal. Tapio loses again.
grudznick has ruled.
Yeah, this is why I asked the question. If Tapio was informed weeks ago, why announce he’s dropping out of the debate now? Coward moves coming out of the Tapio camp.
Attended this event. Very straightforward and no gotcha questions. Candidates, crowd and moderator were well behaved. Mr. Tapio’s name was not mentioned at all although I heard several members of the audience refer to him in subdued sidebar conversations as a chickensh*t. No-show Tapio.
Cool, now do Rounds who is too chicken to debate.
Can’t help yourself can you ?
Rounds doesnt need to debate…Tapio does. Big Difference
A politician should debate, if they want an office again. They don’t HAVE to, but in the past two years Congress as done little oversight or even submitted many bills. Answering question as to why that is, in a debate format, seems like the least Sen. Rounds could do.
Tapio, wasn’t he really good buddies with Jason Ravnsberg?
Tapio was completely ineffective when he was in office. He was prime sponsor of only a half dozen bills, and only one made it out of committee. Not a single bill he was prime sponsor of passed. NOT A SINGLE ONE. And that was when he was elected as a Republican and was able to be in the Republican caucus. As an independent, he would be even less effective…if such a thing was even possible.
Neal Tapio might not be the worst legislator in South Dakota history—he has serious competition, Frye, Jensen, Carly and others—but he’s a front runner.
The Messrs. Kloucek and Nelson have positions #1 and #2 locked up. You are listing candidates for #3-#9. grudznick is not saying your point is wrong, but about the absolute worst, just sayin…
Well, he went 0 for six as far as bills getting passed. Ismay is 0 for 18 (and counting).
Tapio trolling the Doeden fans for responsiveness to his voter appeals. There is no place for him in a legislature that’s turning away from the Freedom Caucus. Gordon Howie ran as an independent once or twice too when he felt he needed to.
So i recognize the last name. But i wasn’t paying attention when he actually was in office, though. So what are some of the things that he has done. That makes him nutty?
Everyone in government is a grifter and corrupt except him.
Tapioca is a coward like all the independent candidates!
Say what you want about Toby he squared up like a man and went toe to toes with the heavyweights in the Republican party.
When Larry knocked him out, he took his beating like a Man!
Between tapioca, banging bengs, mona, and crazy Osborn in Nebraska, are an embarrassment to the freedoms I fought for in combat!
RLTW
There’s no way you are a real person. I’m finally throwing the bs flag on this post.
You may be on to something!
He’s a real “something.”