State Senator John Wiik wins chairmanship of the South Dakota Republican Party on a vote of xxx 103 (correction) to 66 over Tom Brunner

The South Dakota Republican Party is currently tallying ballots for the chairman contest between State Senator John Wiik and Tom Brunner. 

An announcement on the race will be coming shortly.

This morning in the South Dakota Republican State central committee, the group rejected a proposed amendment to remove precinct committee people from participating in the state convention at this time.

Suprisingly, the group held off an any amendments to the precinct proposal, leaving the state’s republican party in the same position as it left the last convention, where concerns were raised over precinct people not representing the voters in their precincts, and not participating after convention.

This may drive further action by the state legislature, who is set to hear Senate Bill 40 in the near future, which is proposed to change how several statewide candidates are nominated for the November election by political parties.

The group did agree to consider further amendments at a later date, with several discussed at the meeting to be forwarded to the bylaws committee.

The SDGOP Winter central committee meeting is approaching quickly in the coming minutes, and it’s already proving lively.

City police had to pop by after being called by the Sgt at Arms to reinforce getting out of the way by some goofy guy with a camera. A bunch of people who have no voting rights at the meeting are carrying signs in the back hall for Tom Brunner.

A little more lively than some of the GOP meetings I’ve been to, but I suspect things will settle down as we get down to the meat of things.

Sad news tonight comes that former South Dakota state legislator Dick Kelly passed away today.

Kelly was first appointed to Senate, July 1, 2002, to fill vacancy of Kermit Staggers, and served through 2006.

Kelly was first elected to the Minnehaha County Commission in 2008, and served two terms. He was Sioux Falls Central District’s representative on the City Council from 1997 to 2002

Flags at Half-Staff at State Capitol Friday in Honor of Former Senator David Laustsen

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem ordered that flags be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol from sunrise until sunset on Saturday, January 14, in honor of former state Senator David Laustsen. He served in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 1977-1984 and in the South Dakota State Senate from 1985-1987. 

Funeral services for former Sen. Laustsen will take place on Saturday, January 14, at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 241 East Butler Ave. in New Britain, PA. His interment will follow at Doylestown Cemetery.

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An organized phone spamming effort is being made in reference to the South Dakota Republican Party’s proposed bylaw changes. Myself and many others are receiving the following text messages on our cellphones:

It’s not really his phone number the messages are coming from, but one used by spam messages and prior candidates in the Rapid City area, including “Friends for Funke.”

I do wonder if they need a campaign disclaimer for this one, since obviously somebody is spending money on it.

South Dakota’s economy has been thriving over the past few years, but even though our unemployment rate in 2022 was the lowest it’s been in our state’s history, we still have 23,000 open jobs in our state. These are growing pains, and we’re tackling them head on. That is how we will continue to build and advance the American Dream.

Occupational licenses are a great place to start. My first year in office, I signed legislation that recognized occupational licenses for military spouses who moved to our state. Then I proposed and signed legislation to recognize the healthcare licenses of folks moving here from other states, helping us fill jobs. Now, we have an opportunity to finish the job we started by providing a path to recognize the licenses of nearly every profession in the state.

States with similar policies have seen workforce growth almost immediately. Arizona’s workforce has grown by about 5,000 workers since their law was implemented, and thousands more are sure to come. That’s the kind of drastic workforce boost that we need here in South Dakota.

I am working with legislators like Senator Jim Stalzer on this bill. He is leading this effort because he knows the lasting impact this will have on South Dakota’s workforce. I want to thank him for his support.

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development worked with partners to help facilitate $1.7 billion in new economic investments in South Dakota over the last year, creating 2,400 new jobs. During my first term we delivered more economic investment in South Dakota than in the previous 10 years combined. That’s the kind of success you only see in a state where government is limited, personal responsibility is central to everything, and the private sector is unleashed.

South Dakota continues to attract the careers of the future. Last year, we expanded Dakota State University’s cyber research capabilities, which will bring 500 six-figure jobs to Sioux Falls. More importantly, it will allow future generations to pursue the career of their dreams right here in South Dakota. I promised to bring the next big industry to South Dakota – and this is it.

We also broke ground on Gevo’s Net-Zero 1 Site, the largest economic development project in state history. The first billion-dollar investment in South Dakota will literally turn corn into jet fuel.

We aren’t just bringing new businesses to South Dakota – our existing businesses are growing and thriving. Valley Queen in Milbank began a $200 million expansion that will create an additional 140 jobs for the community. South Dakota’s total milk production has risen 11% in the last year, and that will continue to increase with the completion of this project.

We were the only state to reject the additional elevated unemployment benefits offered by the federal government. Our people kept working, our unemployment rate remained low, our economy remained strong, and new businesses moved here. Now, our healthy unemployment trust fund balance gives us the opportunity to cut the unemployment tax, delivering an estimated $18 million savings to South Dakota businesses.

When people move to South Dakota to join this record-breaking economy, they are literally pursuing happiness. They are choosing South Dakota to build the American Dream, and we need to be ready for them. We will do this by continuing to tackle our workforce challenges, inviting businesses and Freedom-loving Americans to join us, and providing a level playing field where everyone can succeed.

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The South Dakota Republican Party is having an internal contest tomorrow as to who will guide the organization at least through the next two year election cycle.

Two candidates have offered themselves for serving the members of South Dakota’s Republican Party as chair. One, Former State Representative Tom Brunner, announced that he intended to run for the chairmanship when State Representative Kevin Jensen withdrew from the race.  At this writing, Brunner has been a candidate for State GOP Chair for less than 100 hours.  His running mate for vice-chair, Tamera Weis, has been in the race less than 24 hours.  It seems from the onset that their candidacies were not ones that involved careful contemplation of the job, the extensive and often thankless and never-ending duties, and the weight they would be taking on their shoulders. Rather, it sure seems they were talked into running so a faction of oppositional people could get warm bodies in the race.

I have often said that the only problem with being chairman is that once you get the job, you actually have to be chairman.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked for the party way back thirty years ago, and more recently, work with them on projects over the last several campaign cycles. I can tell you first-hand the Chairmanship role is not one to be taken as a lark. It is not for the faint of heart, and from the moment they take office, they take on massive responsibilities, a exhausting travel schedule both in-state and out of state, and they take on the mantle of having to raise a million dollars or more to keep the lights on.  You can hire staff to do some of it, increasing your expenses, but the buck stops with the chairman. It’s mentally and physically taxing, sucking up time from your family and your employment.

And not only are you taking on a challenge of earning enough to keep the lights on, you are also taking on the challenge of earning legitimacy and buy-in from the people you serve at all levels.  You have to have the cooperation of the stakeholders in the Republican party. Both organizationally and from the elected officials who are in the public’s eye the figureheads for the organization.

Governor Noem doesn’t need the party to raise tens of millions of dollars. Senator Thune doesn’t need the party to raise tens of millions of dollars. Neither does Mike Rounds or Dusty Johnson, or even Marty Jackley.  Generally the State House and State Senate can raise significant funds on their own as well. However, their working in synergy with the party helps bring up the next generation to serve in office. It allows the party to raise funds for themselves, as well help candidates who need technical assistance, such as some constitutional offices. Providing technical assistance to new legislative candidates as well as county and other candidates.  Buy-in at the top helps the mission of the organization to keep the party healthy and thriving.  A healthy and vibrant Republican party is good for all members of the GOP.

And there’s only one candidate for Chairman who has taken the time and effort to make his case, and earn the buy-in from stakeholders. 

John Wiik has been on the road (and on the phone) making his case to become the next chair of the Republican Party. Wiik has worked as a member of his county Republican organization, and has served in the legislature for a decade, successfully running for election without a break in service.  Wiik has been talking to people about serving in the role of chairman informally since late November, and announced officially over a month ago that he was running with the endorsement of all of our State’s elected officials, as well as with a massive number of members of GOP Leadership, numbering at 100 or more at this writing.

As a long-time member of our local Central Committee,  I can tell you that Senator Wiik is known to most members of our local group, as he is with many Republicans across the state.  I can’t say the same for his opponent, who I have yet to see even an e-mail from regarding his candidacy (and yes, I’m voting tomorrow, as I am carrying a proxy).

Since announcing, John Wiik has held telephone town halls with members of the central committee, as well as spoken with individual members directly. He has been answering questions and has made his case to be the next chairman.  Senator John Wiik has earned the opportunity to serve as the next chair for the entire GOP throughout South Dakota, not just a person representing a faction who is only concerned with getting their guy in.  Because Wiik knows it’s not just about one person, or one group. It’s about the health and strength of the entire South Dakota Republican Party.

 

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Similarly, I would also encourage the election of State Representative Mary Fitzgerald as Vice Chair. I can say that I haven’t always seen eye to eye with Mary.  But I can also tell you that she is not afraid to reach out and bridge a divide, which she absolutely has. And without a doubt, she is the strongest candidate. Mary Fitzgerald should be the next Vice-Chair of the South Dakota Republican Party. 

As John Wiik noted when he announced Mary as his running mate, “Mary is a dedicated county party chair and state legislator.” said John Wiik “She knows a lot about long days of hard work in public service and will be a great addition to the leadership team.”  Mary IS a dedicated County Chair, and has been involved with the party for decades. She knows what it takes to run a successful Republican organization in one of our State’s largest counties.

Mary is also an indefatigable campaigner who has won elected office. People might not give this a lot of credence, but I think this is an important quality in our party’s elected officials considering the very job of the Republican party is to elect candidates. Good Candidates make great Republican Party leaders. If you look a the successes the party has had under past leaders such as Bob Gray, Tim Rave, and Dan Lederman, they understand what the party can do to bolster and complement the efforts of candidates when they are in the waning days of a campaign.

John Wiik and Mary Fitzgerald are the only effective team who can lead the South Dakota Republican Party through the next election.  They have the experience at the grassroots in the Republican Party, and they have the experience in running effective campaigns for office.

I hope you will join me in hoping for their success tomorrow and supporting their candidacies to lead the South Dakota Republican Party.

Governor Kristi Noem‘s chief of communications, Ian Fury, sent out a note to State media tonight, criticizing the state of the tribe address that was given today by Chairman Lengkeek of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe.

Folks,

Our state’s Native American heritage and culture is such an important part of what makes South Dakota a special place. Governor Noem recognizes that. She acknowledges it every time we deploy resources to help the tribes, sign law enforcement MOUs to keep our tribal people safe, and incorporate Native American heritage and culture into our education standards. She invested in the first ever tribal-run meth treatment facility to help the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. She has repeatedly invested in regional mental health resources, which will also help our tribal communities. She highlighted the Department of Tourism’s efforts to advance tribal tourism in her State of the State Address this week. She has repeatedly made efforts to reconcile our differences and come together as one state.

I wish the same spirit of shared culture and reconciliation was present at today’s State of the Tribes Address. Chairman Lengkeek of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe chose instead to deliver a message of division and perpetuate false narratives about Governor Noem and her Administration.

I will make corrections to many of his statements today, in turn.

Chairman Lengkeek criticized Governor Noem’s proposed Social Studies Standards, both in content and in process. He repeatedly stated that “Oceti Sakowin history is South Dakota history.” We agree! Governor Noem’s standards represent the largest emphasis on Native American history of any proposed standards to date. Commission members very specifically focused on the importance of incorporating Native American history by infusing them throughout every grade level, and they contain significantly more references to Native American topics than the current standards. It is important to note that a number of the proposed standards are directly aligned to the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings (OSEUs); the Standards repeatedly cite to the OSEUs. Teachers are encouraged to continue using the OSEUs as they address Native American history and civic topics, as well as in other academic content areas where they might be applied. However, Chairman Lengkeek insinuated that the OSEUs are not being utilized – Governor Noem’s standards ensure that they will be.

Regarding the recent winter storms, Chairman Lengkeek stated that “emergency services were slow to react.” This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, former Chairman of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Rodney Bordeaux recently wrote a letter to Governor Noem thanking her for the efforts of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety (which are detailed here) and the South Dakota National Guard (which are detailed here and here) to assist in the storm response. In fact, after the false media narrative that the Governor was not responding to tribes like Rosebud was corrected, Rosebud Chairman Scott Herman statedthat he was grateful for the assistance the state provided. Communication between the Office of Emergency Management and the tribes remained robust throughout. It’s a shame that Chairman Lengkeek chose to perpetuate a false narrative.

Chairman Lengkeek then blamed the state for the fact that the Code Talker Memorial at Capitol Lake hadn’t been completed. Every veteran memorial at Capitol Lake was built through fundraising by various veterans’ organizations. And that was the plan for the Code Talker Memorial, as well. The fundraising efforts have not materialized, so now they are asking the state to foot the bill. The reason this conversation resurfaced in the first place after years of silence was that Governor Noem and Secretary David Flute reopened the door to discussion about the Code Talker Memorial.

In an unprompted diatribe, Chairman Lengkeek also implied that he wants boys to play girls’ sports.

Governor Noem pushed for the funding of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons office when disgraced, impeached, and removed former Attorney General Ravnsborg neglected it. She has entered into agreements with tribes to fight the meth epidemic, and her Department of Tribal Relations has hosted meth summits to fight this scourge – the 5th of which will be held later this month. She has hosted tribal leadership breakfasts, luncheons, and a Round Dance at the State Capitol. Chairman Lengkeek was invited to these but chose not to attend. She has visited tribal leaders on their reservations at their invitation. She has never received such an invitation from Chairman Lengkeek. She has also delivered major broadband investments to the reservations, including $456,000 in grants to Flandreau Sioux Tribe and $474,500 in grants to Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Unfortunately, other tribes chose to reject the Governor’s broadband grants.

“It is time to put aside personal and political discord and recognize and embrace our shared history for the benefit of all South Dakotans,” Chairman Lengkeek said at the end of his address. We agree – but that message is polar opposite to the spirit with which he delivered this address.

Sincerely,

Ian Fury
Chief of Communications
Governor Kristi Noem (