Speaking of members of the Haggar family who are involved in the legislative process (congrats again, Jenna), Patriarch of the Haggar Clan, State Representative Don Haggar is at the Americans for Prosperity Conference, but he’s not just listening – Don is a panelist. 

State Representative Haggar is one of the panelists at the break out session tomorrow entitled “Rising Stars: State Legislators that are leading the fight for economic freedom.”  The purpose of the session is for session participants to “hear from legislators on we they are in the fight for lower taxes, less spending, and more freedom.”

I’m planning on attending & finding out what the panel (and Don) have to say, so stay tuned!

The Americans for Prosperity Defending the Dream conference is underway with loads of enthusiasm, even if everyone’s phones lit up and howled last evening with a tornado warning, spurred on from the edges of the tropical storm. At the event this weekend, 2000 folks from across the nation – considered AFP’s top activists – are in attendance this weekend, and these people have congregated in Orlando for activist training and fellowship.

There’s loads of buzz and activity you notice walking in the door, were I quickly ran into South Dakota AFP Executive Director Ben Lee, who has been doing a yeoman’s job in herding cats, and was kind enough to help me wrangle my media credentials…. Just in time to walk into a meeting with some of the national leadership team from AFP. 

Tim Phillips, the President of Americans for Prosperity met with members of the media this morning, and went through AFP’s focus this election, which nationally is primarily regarding US Senate races, with a few select House contests. They are also keying in on a few select issues, primarily attacks on free speech, which includes South Dakota’s Initiated Measure 22.

Initiated Measure 22, if you recall, is the measure which most of know as the “welfare for politicians law” which takes money that could be used for schools & highways and puts it into political campaigns. But another onerous part of it is that it rewrites disclosure regulations, as noted by the Attorney General: 

This measure extensively revises State campaign finance laws. It requires additional disclosures and increased reporting. It lowers contribution amounts to political action committees; political parties; and candidates for statewide, legislative, or county office. It also imposes limits on contributions from candidate campaign committees, political action committees, and political parties.

Read that here.

As you’ve ready seen by AFP’s participation in the Defeat 22 coalition with an ever growing list of partners including…

• Souh Dakota Retailers
• South Dakota Farm Bureau
• Family Heritage Alliance Action
• Concerned Women for America of South Dakota
• South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• South Dakoa Asociation of Cooperatives
• Western Dakota Families
• Associated General Contractors of South Dakota
• Minnehaha County GOP
• South Dakota Licensed Independent Contractors of America
• Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce
• South Dakota Grain & Feed Association
• South Dakota Agri-Business Association

…they’re on the right side of history in contesting the liberal re-write of election laws which limit constitutionally protected free speech, and mark the entrance of taxpayer dollars into financing political campaigns.

And that’s just the first hour. Stay tuned!

I did make it to the Americans For Prosperity conference in Orlando Florida this week. But it according to the radar, that flight was looking a little dicey at one point:

Yes, that plane was me in the sky at the time.

I suppose the locals look at that kind of weather system, and say “meh,” much like we scoff at 6 inches of snow. But when you’re flying through what people say could develop into a hurricane, that provides a little comfort.

With my later flight, I believe that completes the South Dakota contingent for the Defending the Dream Conference. 

Let the activism begin!

Oh well, it was a good way to get to Denver while it lasted. 

But this morning it sounds that the convenience of the Watertown/Pierre/Denver flight from ADI/Great Lakes might have been too much of a good thing:

Federal officials say the subsidy level in the city has surpassed $200 per passenger. Federal rules say any EAS community within 210 miles of a major hub airport must maintain a subsidy level below that mark, and the Transportation Department says Watertown is 207 miles from the Minneapolis airport.

Watertown Mayor Steve Thorson maintains the center of the city of 22,000 people is actually 4 miles farther west than under the government’s measurement. Thorson adds that he is not worried.

Read that at Today’s KCCR.

Jim Seward to Depart as Governor’s General Counsel

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced today that Jim Seward will depart his position as general counsel to the governor later this fall.

Seward has served as general counsel since Gov. Daugaard took office in 2011 and is a member of the Governor’s Executive Committee. He is departing for an opportunity in the private sector. 

“Jim Seward was one of the first people I hired when I was elected. Not only is Jim a valued member of my executive committee, but he is a policy advisor, policy maker and policy implementer,” said Gov. Daugaard. “Jim led our state’s efforts to reform the criminal justice system and our ongoing efforts to repeal unnecessary statutes and rules. He has been a trusted confident and advisor, and more importantly a good friend. I will miss him, but I wish him the very best.”

Seward joined the Daugaard transition team in December 2010 and became general counsel when Daugaard was sworn in as governor in January 2011. Prior to joining the Governor’s Office, Seward was a practicing attorney in Spearfish. He served from 2001-06 as the Butte County states’ attorney. Seward is a judge advocate general in the South Dakota National Guard. His military service included a tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2004-05, and he was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.

“I want to thank the Governor for his leadership and friendship,” said Seward. “We have taken on and solved enormous challenges together from the Missouri River flood of 2011 to our efforts to reform the corrections system to hold offenders more accountable. It has been an honor and a blessing to serve him, his staff and cabinet, and the people of South Dakota.” 

Seward’s last day will be Oct. 31, 2016. 

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The annual Americans for Prosperity – Defending the dream conference is this weekend, and I’m currently in the Sioux Falls airport terminal as I await my flight to sunny Orlando, Florida.

Oops… It might be more rainy than sunny this weekend, but we’ll all be indoors.

Marco Rubio, Joni Ernst, Scott Walker, Carly Fiorina and a host of others will be speaking at the 2-day event, where I hear we will also find South Dakota State Representative Don Haggar as part of a panel discussion.

The event is designed to give activists the tools to promote free market policies, and to elect candidates supporting those values in both Washington and their home state.  

As it’s billed on the summit website, “it’s a chance for thousands of defenders of freedom to come together to learn, be inspired, and celebrate liberty.”

I can’t think of a better way to spend the weekend.

I just received this via e-mail from State Senator Jenna Haggar, who is out raising funds to run her campaign for State Senate. Check it out, and if you’re so inclined…:

Thanks for being on this “political rollercoaster” with me.

As I seek my second term in the South Dakota State Senate and fourth term overall I write you this note with extreme gratitude because of the goals you have communicated and the support you have offered. Your willingness to take a conservative position on today’s political issues have such meaningful influence, not just on me or what I personally strive to accomplish with each year I serve in our Capitol but also for the greater good of mankind and seeing the true responsibility (and privilege!) of creating a society that fits our definition of prosperity, a country under God and also the American dream.

But I need your help. Because of the aggressive nature of this year’s political season my campaign expenses will increase and my efforts will be redoubled. Will you make a financial contribution to my campaign today at www.JennaHaggar.com?

The Democrat party in South Dakota recruited a candidate to challenge me. In a year where their registration numbers are declining, they primarily focus on liberal democrats to run for office. The extreme positions taken by the democrats are in such contradiction with many South Dakotans. But many liberal national groups send candidates money in South Dakota with hopes of negatively influencing our state against issues that you and I hold dear to us. 

My legislative campaigns have always been financially supported by individuals, small contributions add so much to my campaign. Being supported by like-minded folks across South Dakota is a good thing! Each election I am committed to knocking on hundreds of doors, reaching out to thousands of voters and blanketing the community with a message of conservative principles and family values. And while these campaigns are very expensive they are always rewarding. And it is only because of your donation my campaigns are even possible.

There are 35 Senate seats in South Dakota; these positions are expensive and highly sought after because of the decisions that are made in our capitol. In my six years in the legislature and with the approach I have I hope to reflect the goals and values you have communicated with me. If re-elected to the senate I will continue to represent your beliefs. 

You’ve helped me so much already please continue to help me reach my fundraising goal by making a contribution today of $1000, $500, $100 or even $50!

This campaign isn’t about personality; it’s not even about being a particular political party. It is about effectively and honestly serving the people nearest you, which I am proud to do as a Republican. Serving in the Capitol isn’t possible without your help. Because of you, I am thankful and also ready to countdown to Election Day…68 days left! 

Jenna

Please visit my website at www.JennaHaggar.com

Paid for by Jenna Haggar Campaign
District 10
PO Box 763
Sioux Falls, SD 57101
605/610-9779
www.jennahaggar.com

Hughes County Jury Convicts Aberdeen Man of First Degree Murder in Domestic Violence Case

PIERRE, S.D. – Attorney General Marty Jackley and Brown County States Attorney Larry Lovrien announced that a Hughes County jury returned a guilty verdict today finding John Hemminger, 35, Aberdeen, guilty of first degree murder, class A felony, mandatory life sentence in the state penitentiary or  death.

“I want to thank the jury and our joint prosecution team for their work on this tragic case,” said Jackley. “The jury weighed the horrific evidence which included Jessica’s 23 stab wounds and a history of domestic violence. Today’s verdict sends a strong message that domestic violence will not be tolerated.”

Charges stem from an incident on January 2015, where Hemminger attacked 26-year- old Jessica Goebel and causing her death a week after the incident.

This case was investigated by the Aberdeen Police Department and the Division of Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by the Brown County States Attorney’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office.

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