Couple of Valentine’s Days items I didn’t see until the trip home this morning, so I have to play catch up on them.

An Aberdeen reader sent me this Valentine’s poem circulating on one of the local facebook groups from a resident to former Congressional Explorer Toby Doeden:

I think the blurred part said friend you, don’t you think?

Who didn’t get a Valentine’s Day card yesterday?  Probably Shad Olson, who remains in Meade County custody after being arrested on charges of “22-18-1.1 – Aggravated Assault Domestic.”

If he did get a valentines day card, it probably would have been slipped under the door by someone wearing orange… Probably not the kind he was looking for.

Bringing back Pierre donut shop donuts to Brookings!

This morning while haunting the halls of the State Capital, I was given challenge coins by Senators Stalzer and Schoenbeck, and they are pretty darned nice!

Especially since I’ve been dealing with people lately who are challenged by those with an opinion.

Senators, thank you very much, it’s very appreciated.

Pierre, SD – Governor Kristi Noem will be sharing a “big announcement” as keynote speaker of the Hughes County/Stanley County/CENKOTA Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner on February 20 at the Ramkota in Pierre.

“Not only are we thrilled to have our governor speak at our event, but we are especially excited to have our governor making her big announcement at our Lincoln Day Dinner” said Hughes County GOP Chair Jason Williams.  “It’s an event no one will want to miss.”

Noem’s keynote will be the grand finale to an all-star line-up of speakers who include Senator Mike Rounds and other Constitutional Officers.

Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m. with dinner starting at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets cost $35 per person or $280 for a table.  Anyone interested in attending may purchase tickets at the door or contact a member of the Hughes County Republican Central Committee.

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While up at the South Dakota State Capitol today, I had the opportunity to listen to a presentation on Senate Bill 13, a measure that was amended by Senator Schoenbeck to have the party candidates for Attorney General and Secretary of State chosen as part of the primary process.

While listening, I decided to offer my 2 cents worth. Here is (roughly) my testimony in favor of the measure:

Good morning – Mr. Chair and committee members.

Pat Powers, Brookings resident and 35 year volunteer and political activist.

Through legislation, the political parties have been granted great latitude and franchise to choose many of their statewide candidates on their own for the general election.. It has changed over the years within those guidelines, and I would offer some history as a participant.

In 1988 , when I first started working in politics, the down ticket candidates for the Republican Party were chosen by a little over 100 people at my first convention.

In 1990, the system was changed, because the GOP chair decided he needed more campaign workers for precinct level poll-watching, to cross names off of green bar sheets for each precinct and so it was opened up to 800-1000 people.

Over time, technology has rendered those precinct level jobs obsolete. So now it’s a group of people who just show up and vote, and that’s about it. They have no special qualifications other than signing a piece of paper. I’m a precinct person – one of the first ones who filled out the form this year. And trust me, the people at the precinct level positions do not go door to door or otherwise poll or ask the voters in their precincts for their opinions. They show up to convention and just make their own call.

This measure proposes increasing the number of people who choose to the electorate at large for two offices. I would ask the members of the committee – don’t be afraid of the voters. More so than smaller groups of unrepresentative people acting on their own, the voters as a group are smart people and acting together they make good decisions.

If voters at large can choose their coroner, their county auditor, legislators and governor in a primary, they can choose their Attorney General and Secretary of State the same way as well.

Thank you for your yes vote on Senate Bill 13 as amended.

The measure passed committee unanimously, and is now headed to the Senate floor.

Stopped up in the Senate Gallery today to get some photos, noting the seats of a couple of my favorite legislators to write about.

.. I notice they currently have as much substance as when the chairs are filled.

Gov. Noem Launches “33 in a 65” Ad for Freedom Works Here

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem launched the “33 in a 65”ad as part of the Freedom Works Here nationwide workforce recruitment campaign. The ad features Governor Noem as a state trooper to recruit more law enforcement officers to South Dakota.

 “South Dakota is the Freest state in America,” said Governor Noem. “Now we’re making it the safest by putting more police on our streets. So I’m on the road until we can hire more.”

In the ad, Governor Noem pulls over Congressman Dusty Johnson for driving too slow – “33 in a 65.”

“We respect law enforcement because they protect our Freedoms,” continued Governor Noem. “We have no state income tax and the fastest growing incomes.”

Governor Noem launched Freedom Works Here in June to tell South Dakota’s story and recruit more Freedom-loving Americans to the state. It has been the most successful workforce recruitment campaign in state history. More than 8,800 people have expressed interest in moving to South Dakota, and 2,230 of those have connected with our team to begin their move – some have already moved here! The ads have been viewed over 950 million times.

These numbers represent those working directly through the “Freedom Works Here” program. Even more people are finding jobs and moving to South Dakota of their own accord after seeing the ads.

You can read about some Freedom Works Here success stories here and here. More information about the Freedom Works Here campaign can be found at FreedomWorksHere.com.

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It’s not you, Republican State Central Committee, it’s me. My heart is broken over what a complete sh*t show of a mess you’ve become, as you seem intent on losing elections and bashing those left standing. So I’m going out on my own to face the world..

For Valentine’s Day I’m taking the opportunity to have some fun, and continue riffing on the Republican State Central Committee’s public breakup with me for Valentine’s Day from our seat in government in Pierre. I’m going to walk the halls of power, stop in and see many friends, and maybe even testify on legislation if I’m so inclined.

So check in from time to time for updates on the Heartbreaker tour straight from dakotawarcollege.com.

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And an appropriate musical interlude…   Stay Tuned!

Johnson Votes to Impeach Mayorkas

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for his handling of the southern border.

“The southern border is an abject disaster,” said Johnson. “His willful and systemic refusal to comply with laws set by Congress has created a safety and security crisis around America. Mayorkas has failed to uphold his oath of office and should be removed.”

Background:

• Since January 2021, there have been over 8.3 million illegal crossings nationwide. More than 7 million of these are from the southern border.
• The Biden Administration has taken over 60 actions to undermine border security.
• Johnson is a strong proponent of border security measures. He has:
  • Voted 72 times for stronger border policies
  • Voted 21 times to increase resources to DHS, CBP, and ICE
  • Voted 9 times to protest harmful border policies while Nancy Pelosi was Speaker
  • Voted 8 times to hold the Biden administration accountable for border failures
  • Voted 7 times to halt the flow of illegal drugs across the border

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No wonder the GOP Central Committee uninvited me from working with the party because I point out stupid things.

The latest in silliness is the Butte County GOP announcing their guest speaker for their 2024 Lincoln Day Dinner, former Speaker of the House Steve Haugaard, the man who lost both a race for Governor (3-1) AND Lt. Governor within a 30 day timespan.

You know, you can’t make this stuff up.

It’s like they sat on the ground in a sharing circle (criss-cross applesauce, everyone), and thought Who is the one person that people want to see speak at a GOP Dinner?  Unfortunately, someone left their car running and backed up to the building, and they all inhaled too many exhaust fumes while they were sitting on the ground, and someone addled by the fumes uttered how about Steve Haugaard, before they slipped into unconsciousness and fire/rescue had to be called.

Tickets are $35 each, and no. They will not pay you $35 if you attend. That’s what has to come out of your own pocket.

The person who spent 6 months attacking the Governor and running literally one of the most uninspirational races we’ve ever seen. BEFORE he doubled down and went after the Lt. Governor seat.

No words.