Will the TV Commercials starring the mayor imploring us all to come to Sioux Falls be coming shortly?

I ask, because Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether seems awfully eager for the 2018 Gubernatorial campaign to begin.  First, he put up all these billboards with his face plastered all over them, and now he’s starting to travel around the state making thinly veiled campaign speeches:

Huether was in town Wednesday to impart some of what he’s learned from his own experiences of running a city and was quick to point out that while he is a great supporter of Yankton, he also intended to issue the city as challenge to strive to be better.

“I’m here for a reason — I love this town, but I am going to mention some things today that are going to make some of you uncomfortable, and I think you need it,” he said. “There were times in my life where I was challenged to an even greater level. … Yankton, I’m going to do the same for you today. “

For nearly two hours, Huether testified on the importance of confidence, partnerships between public and private enterprises, and keeping the fiscal house in order while stressing the critical need to maintain and procure solid infrastructure systems and quality-of-life investments in the community.

Read it all here.

“For nearly two hours, Huether testified on the importance of confidence…?”   I can hardly imagine!  And Is it just me, or does he say “I” an awful lot?

This is just the latest move in shameless self-promotion from the state’s highest ranking Democrat as he continues with his self-aggrandizing, and naked lust for higher office.

It’s not as if this comes as a great shock, given that it’s been standard operating procedure from Huether since he was first elected. But as the months tick away until he’s out of office and moving on towards the next one, it seems as if it’s only getting worse.

In addition to his antics that make the media, I’ve actually had people note to me that in a speech or two, Huether actually compared himself to Governor Bill Janklow. Because by including it in his speeches, he somehow thinks it will become so. Forgetting the fact that the former Governor didn’t actively seek the spotlight, as opposed to seeking to get things done.

With Huether stepping up the “I love Mike Huether” campaign machine, it’s going to be a long, long three years until 2018. Especially for the residents of Sioux Falls.

After an unexpected void was created in South Dakota GOP Senate Leadership by the twin resignations of Assistant Majority Leader Dan Lederman, and Majority Leader Tim Rave a day later, many have been have been wondering who is going to take the reins, and when the decision is going to be made.

Well, wait no more.  The word I’m getting is that the Republican Senators are tentatively planning to caucus in about 2 1/2 weeks on May 9th to choose who will assume those positions.

And, while the list of those who are running is still rumbling quietly, one of those I’ve been able to confirm will be running is President Pro Temp Corey Brown who will be seeking the Senate Majority Leader position.

In my mind, that’s actually the best of all scenarios, allowing an experienced hand to manage caucus affairs while bringing others who might  be in whip positions up to speed to be ready to lead the following year. It sounds as if the decision was made with a bit of reluctance, as Brown noted to me that “it wasn’t an easy decision,” but serving in the majority leader role is “better for the caucus.”

We’ll find out who else might be running, and how the caucus will reconfigure in the coming days. So, keep your bookmarks at SDWC for the latest on what’s happening in caucus elections!

I did a double take, as I thought someone was referring to him as a moron, but no. The Tweet was that Larry Pressler was now a Mormon.

Having observed him over the past few decades, if someone was referring to him as a moron, I could understand where they were coming from.  But, you got me with this one. Apparently, former US Senator Larry Pressler has now officially been baptized as a Mormon:

The announcement was ordinary and without fanfare. Larry Pressler would be confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the weekly services of the Chevy Chase congregation.

But those who know the man from his three terms in the U.S. Senate and who have shared in his spiritual journey count Pressler — whether referring to him as “senator,” “brother” or just “Larry” — as extraordinary.

On Sunday, April 19, Pressler was confirmed as a church member by Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, a Mormon who introduced him to the faith’s signature book of scripture. He was baptized earlier in the day by Clayton Christensen, whose conviction of the Book of Mormon detailed in The New Yorker magazine compelled the former senator to seriously study the book.

Read it here.

Ooookay.  Not something I expected to see. Or read in the paper.

His Wikipedia reference refers to him as a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints, It had noted his religion as “Christianity” prior to it’s most recent change, and to be more specific, most bios note his religion as Roman Catholic.

It’s not often you see someone in his 70’s changing religions.

Since he’s leaving the Catholic faith, is this a bad time to ask if he’s going to hell?