Last night, South Dakota voters continued a trend that shouldn’t surprise anyone as they rejected legalizing recreational marijuana as a stand alone measure. When separated from the medical marijuana argument, recreational pot failed as it has in the past.

Not that we won’t see it back on the ballot in the near future. But it’s a good indicator to the sponsors of such measures that it isn’t quite as popular as they might think.

I would say to my worthy opponent, Jeff Barth, who is a chess player – check mate" – Chris Nelson, re-elected to another term on the Public Utilities Commission. pic.twitter.com/LvBtIPKOTG

— John Hult (@JohnEHult) November 9, 2022

As I was writing yesterday, there were 3 races that I was keeping a particular eye on in 1, 12 & 27. I was very pleased with the outcome in 2/3 of them.

In District 1, despite spending thousands in the last 2 weeks to reclaim her Senate Seat, Mike Rohl took Susan Wismer to school. And defeated her on a 59-41% basis.

In District 12, Arch Beal showed everyone that strong name ID aid important as he sent Democrat challenger Jessica Meyers packing.

District 27 was the sole disappointment, as David Jones was within 200 votes of capturing the Senate seat from Red Dawn Foster after leading the race all night. Ugh.. so close, yet so far.

What else do we know? District 15 was crazy close between the two parties, showing this former black hole of despair for Republicans can be flipped with the right effort. We’ll be back.

District 18 got redder.. all three seats are now in Republican hands. Good thoughts for the future.

District 32 had always had hints of blue, but now it might be considered a purple district. Republicans Helene Duhamel, Becky Drury and Steve Duffy all came out of the election victorious, but it was touch and go for a while, showing that future races need to be closely targeted as numbers flipped all night as the returns came in.

The final numbers for the SDGOP came in with 31 Senate victories and 63 House. We lost several close ones overnight, as the red wave we were expecting nationally wasn’t big enough to surf on as we might have originally thought.

Our super-majority increased by 1 in the House but decreased by 1 in the Senate.

While it would have been nice to pick up the close ones, we can be extremely happy in holding on to historic numbers.

Good night for the SDGOP. A very good night.

How about that SDSU opinion poll now?

With a margin that is currently 63% to 34% as of this writing, Governor Kristi Noem has absolutely dominated her opponent Jamie Smith in the 2022 gubernatorial race to lead South Dakota for the next four years.

At no point in the evenings returns did Smith even show a glimmer of being competitive as Noem has outpaced him constantly with an ever-widening margin of success.

The strength of her campaign almost seems contrary to the media narrative that has been disseminated over the course of the last several months, trying to paint the race as having a slimmer margin or being more competitive. Even the Smith campaign has been claiming in social media ads all the way through today that the race was within 3 percentage points.

They probably should have moved the decimal point over a place. Because the margin tonight is nearly 30 points not three.

Tonight is a well deserved victory lap for Governor Kristi Noem. She won the race, decisively and definitively.

In one of the three races I have been watching closely tonight, the District 1 State Senate rematch with Michael Rohl versus Susan Wismer.. Despite Wismer unloading a pick up load full of cash into the race in the final 2 weeks, she has gained no traction.

With one precinct left to go, Rohl’s lead is absolutely insurmountable at this point, with him leading in a landslide over Wismer on a 59% to 41% advantage.

Wismer is done, crushed in the race by Michael Rohl.

Dusty Johnson Secures Blowout Victory

Sioux Falls, S.D. – Tonight, U.S. Congressman Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) secured a third term for South Dakota’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. A leader on agriculture and transportation issues, earlier this year Johnson’s historic legislation to hold foreign ocean carriers accountable was signed into law. Johnson has also played a lead role in getting legislation passed out of the House dealing with livestock, tribal, and trade issues.

“South Dakotans have one voice in the U.S. House – they deserve a representative who punches well above their weight – I’m proud to be that guy for another term,” said Johnson. “I’ve worked hard to get singles and doubles for South Dakotans, but I’m ready for home runs in the House.

“Americans are facing record inflation and crime in their communities – effective leadership is needed. More than ever, I’m determined to produce results for all South Dakotans in the U.S. House.”

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So will the media call the congressional race for Dusty Johnson at 8:15, or do we have to wait until 8:30?

No wonder the judge wanted to think on the plea agreement before her in the matter of the Koskan accusations. Because according to an article in the Argus Leader, the plea agreement which was arranged before any of this became public seems like it’s not going to go over well with the public at large:

In the proposed plea agreement filed Monday, but appearing to have been signed off on in early September, before Koskan was formally charged, the defendant would agree to plea guilty to exposing a minor to foreseeable harm.

The charge, punishable by a maximum 10 years in prison, would have all jail and prison time suspended for Koskan, according to the proposed plea agreement.

and..

The 44-year-old political candidate would also continue to support the victim in the same or similar manner as he did before the allegations were made..

Read the entire story here.

So, this was arranged in early September, for accusations which collectively shocked the conscience of the entire state. And they’ve negotiated zero prison time?

That’s not going to go over well. And it probably shouldn’t.

All of that work for the past 2 years is going to come to fruition today.  It’s time. If you haven’t voted yet, get out there and do so.

And here’s your opportunity for your predictions on how the races are going to go.

On the races.. here are mine..

US Senate:

John Thune (R) – 68%
Brian Bengs (D) – 28%
Tamara Lesnar (L) – 4%

I think Lesnar and Bengs will hold Senator Thune under 70%. But just barely.

Congress:

Dusty Johnson (R) – 80%
Collin Duprel (L) – 20%

Duprel will have more than a single digit showing just because of the contrarian vote, but not because of anything he did. It’s just that there are always people who will vote against the incumbent. Dusty may reach as high as 85%, but I don’t want to be overconfident. I’m sure he’ll be just as happy with 80%.

Governor:

Kristi L. Noem (R) – 56%
Jamie Smith (D) – 40%
Tracey Quint (L) – 4%

Repeat after me. Jamie Smith is not Billie Sutton. Jamie Smith is not Billie Sutton. In Noem’s first race for Governor, she had just come off of a bruising primary, and then faced a Democrat who pretended to be conservative. There was no such hurdle in this election.

Noem’s 2022 primary race had her as a more reasonable candidate against a hard right opponent who had one of the worst run primary opposition campaigns in recent memory. Now, in the fall, her opponent Jamie Smith didn’t bother to try to be conservative, and instead just ran as a Democrat. And Kristi got to point that out over and over against an ineffective Smith campaign that never found it’s footing, as much as running a campaign who’s only point was that he wasn’t Kristi.

When your closing message is that “it’s ok to vote Democrat..” It shows how inept his campaign was. That’s not really a message to make the case to change their vote. If anything, it reinforces his identification with the minority party that keeps shrinking in the state. And let’s not forget the utter gift Smith gave the Noem campaign when Smith declared in a forum at the Sioux Falls Rotary “we need more things to tax.”  A perfect soundbite message highlighting his willingness to do just that. And a message his opponent Kristi Noem put to good use, as she had the money to pound it into voter’s minds. Over and over and over.

Smith will do well and be competitive in his home of Sioux Falls, but as the votes move across the river, I have the feeling this race will not resemble the last one.

Constitutional offices:

I think we’re in pretty safe territory for all Republicans, as Democrats put up little (or no) opposition with the exception of Secretary of State.  That race will be closer than the others, but it will still be in the win column.

State Senate: 

The question here is how many aren’t we going to win.

Losses…

I think we will have Democrat wins in 10, 15, & 26.

• In 10, the electoral math turned it into a hard Dem district. Unless the Democrat is so unknown or unlikeable, Democrats will push her through.
• In 15, it’s now a Republican District, but after decades upon decades of not being a Republican area, it’s a hard sell. We’re up against an established Senator in Nesiba, and while I’d like it, I think it could be a nearly impossible lift this year.
• 26 was doubtful before Joel Koskan, now even Republicans are telling people to vote for someone else. Scratch that race.

Closer to the wire..

• District 1 might be tight in the Rohl/Wismer rematch, as I’m told she is pouring buckets of money into the race. But with Rohl having the upper hand, and an actual record of accomplishment, and Wismer not only screwed up her petitions and having to run as an indy, but she was utterly ineffective when she was there before, and Rohl came in as a breath of fresh air. I think we win this one.
• District 12 could be another tight contest. Arch Beal/Jessica Meyers is a race that some are pointing to as being close. But I think Arch wins this. He has tremendous name ID as well as sign coverage all over the place. For as long as people have voted for Arch, I’m not sure Meyers has made the case to choose someone else.
• I think District 27 is on the bubble. David Jones/Red Dawn Foster was always going to be a tough race, but from what I hear, Jones is very visible, while Democrat incumbent Red Dawn is not.

I give Republicans 2 of these three races.. but if we’re in a wave election where Republicans turn out, and Dems stay home.. I’m crossing my fingers we pick up all three.

Let’s cut it off there. What do you think about these races, as well as what is coming in the House of Representatives? Your predictions, Please.

Summit Carbon Solutions Achieves Major Project-Wide Milestone

• Company has secured easement agreements for more than 50% of the proposed pipeline route across its entire project footprint, or approximately 1,030 total miles 
• Summit Carbon Solutions has successfully partnered with nearly 2,100 landowners to sign approximately 3,400 easement agreements, distributing more than $200 million to Midwest landowners

AMES, Iowa (November 8, 2022) – Demonstrating its ongoing commitment to partner with landowners across the Midwest, Summit Carbon Solutions has reached another major milestone as it continues to advance its transformative carbon capture, transportation, and storage project. By signing approximately 3,400 easement agreements totaling 1,030 miles across Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota, the company has now secured agreements for more than half of the proposed pipeline route project wide.

“Summit Carbon Solutions was formed to open new economic opportunities for ethanol producers and strengthen the ag economy that is so critical to families and communities across the Midwest,” Summit Carbon Solutions CEO Lee Blank said. “Securing easement agreements for more than 50% of the proposed route across our entire project footprint demonstrates the significant momentum behind our project and the growing recognition that carbon capture, transportation and storage projects will create jobs, improve environmental outcomes, and generate new sources of revenue for local communities.”

Summit Carbon Solutions is partnering with dozens of ethanol plants across the Midwest to develop the largest carbon capture and storage project in the world. Through a multi-billion-dollar private investment, these partners will be able to sell their product in the growing number of markets that pay more for low carbon fuels. California, the largest ethanol consuming state, and Canada, the largest U.S. ethanol importer, have both adopted policies that incentivize the use of low carbon fuels. Access to these markets is essential to the long-term viability of the ethanol industry that today purchases approximately 40% of all the corn grown in the United States and remains a key driver of commodity prices and land values.

In addition to driving growth in the ethanol and agricultural industries, Summit Carbon Solutions will support local economies across the Midwest by investing an average of $45 million in each of the 82 counties where the project is located during construction, which are dollars that will flow back to hotels, restaurants, hardware stores and other local businesses to generate ongoing economic growth. After construction, according to a study by global accounting leader Ernst & Young, Summit Carbon Solutions will pay an average of $930,000 in new property taxes annually to every county where the project is located, helping communities support key local priorities such as schools, road construction, public safety, and more.

In addition to crossing the 50%-mark project-wide, there are a number of counties that have far exceeded that pace, including:

Iowa (56%)		South Dakota (49%)		North Dakota (53%)
Boone (79%)		Beadle (75%)		Emmons (60%)
Cerro Gordo (67%)		Clark (86%)		Logan (100%)
Cherokee (68%)		Edmunds (68%)		McIntosh (67%)
Chickasaw (82%)		Kingsbury (85%)		Mercer (100%)
Crawford (77%)		Lake (75%)		Oliver (82%)
Floyd (73%)		McCook (100%)		Sargent (63%)
Greene (81%)		Miner (61%)
Ida (66%)		Turner (62%)		Nebraska (46%)
Montgomery (61%)				Dakota (60%)
O’Brien (73%)		Minnesota (55% for		Merrick (61%)
Plymouth (70%)		Submitted Permit Route)		Stanton (62%)
Pottawattamie (85%)		Wilkin (77%)
Sioux (67%)

“As a company rooted in agriculture, Summit Carbon Solutions is committed to partnering with farmers to drive long-term economic growth in our rural communities and we are incredibly encouraged by the number of landowners across the Midwest who have signed easement agreements to help achieve that goal,” Blank said. “We look forward to continuing to meet directly with landowners in the five states where our project is proposed to be located to discuss this critical investment, answer their questions, and work together to advance the ethanol and agricultural industries that remain so vital to our state and region.”

To date, Summit Carbon Solutions has distributed more than $200 million in easement payments to landowners.

To learn more about Summit Carbon Solutions, please visit www.SummitCarbonSolutions.com.

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