South Dakota Democrats have filed their February FEC report covering the period of 1/1/20-1/31/20:

SDDP Feb 2020 FEC Report by Pat Powers on Scribd

And this is an interesting report. Democrats reported $26,908.03 in receipts, of which $15,784 came in the form of money from the national Democrat party to keep them afloat.

One donation (reported as coming 11/14/19) came in from Billionaire Gwendolyn Meyer, and state Democrats actually listed her employer as “American Heiress.”

Apparently, rich person wasn’t subtle enough for the State Democrat Party.

What else is the report telling us?  They had to put down a 2k deposit on using the Premier center in Sioux Falls for their McGovern Day Dinner.

Given their track record on paying vendors, I’d get it up front from state democrats too.

After taking in $26,908.03, they spent $27,898.39, leaving them with about $1000 less cash on hand than they started with (from $69,852.67 to $68,862.31).

State Democrats are still reporting they continue to have a loan out there for $23,706.09 to start the campaign with, at the same time they are still hunting for an executive director.

I had mentioned it earlier, but former Republican House Majority Whip Mike Stevens has announced his candidacy to return to the State House in District 18:

Yankton attorney Mike Stevens, a Republican, filed papers Friday to run for the South Dakota House of Representatives.

Stevens is no stranger to the Legislature, as he served three House terms before taking a break from office for medical reasons. However, he told the Press & Dakotan he is back in good health and ready to return to the statehouse.

“I served six years in the Legislature but, after being diagnosed with prostate cancer, I felt it was necessary not to run for re-election,” he said. “Two years later, I am now cancer free and would like to have the opportunity to serve District 18 again.”

Read the entire release here.

Currently Yankton is served by two Democrats (Sen. Kenney and Rep. Cwach) and one Republican Rep. Hunhoff).

There’s a good chance Steven’s entry into the House race could lead to the District flipping back to red, and a renaissance of Republican leadership in Yankton.

In a shift of gears from how she’s acted over the past few years on the Sioux Falls City Council, Theresa Stehly announced her re-election today, claiming she was going to run a “positive” race:

At-large City Councilor Theresa Stehly, 61, formally announced her intention to seek reelection in an email to the Argus Leader Wednesday afternoon, saying Sioux Falls citizens need a watchdog behind the council dais protecting them from the establishment status quo.

“I will be running a positive, grassroots campaign, continuing my emphasis on citizen advocacy and focusing on the issues,” she said in a statement.

Read it all here.

I mean, wasn’t it a few weeks back she was attacking a private citizen from her perch and demanding the censorship of an article about him because he dared to show a preference for someone else?  Or the whole “whispering whispering WHISPERING” incident before that?  Or the “Theresa blocks voters on Facebook” thing before that?

And that’s just been since December.

“Positive” from Theresa Stehly – literally the biggest force of chaos and negativity on the Sioux Falls City Council  – might be a pleasant change of pace.

Although I think even the voters have more of a memory than she might be betting on.

PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem today testified before the Senate State Affairs Committee in support of legislation that will ensure economic progress is possible for all of South Dakota’s communities (SB 157). This was the first time a governor has testified before a committee in more than a decade.

Noem’s Testimony (as prepared for delivery):

“Good morning. Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, and all those listening here today, my name is Kristi Noem and I’m the Governor of South Dakota. I’m here today to ask you to support legislation that will ensure economic progress is possible for all our communities long into the future – SB 157.

“Everyone here knows that South Dakota is the best state in the nation to do business. Our low taxes, smart regulations, and strong work ethic make us unique, but the world isn’t static. If we’re going to keep our state competitive, we must keep things fair, open, and honest.

“As I outlined in my State of the State address, my team and I are aggressively pushing the message that South Dakota is open for business. We are helping businesses expand and constantly looking for ways to attract new industries and businesses to the state. This is critical if we want to keep our kids here – at home – rather than sending them somewhere else to build their careers, families, and lives.

“We must fix the issues that are holding back progress. One of those problems is the conditional use permitting process. For those who may not know, at times this process is unnecessarily difficult; it takes a lot of time; and it often gets hijacked by a vocal few. This uncertainty is unfair to everyone involved.

“SB 157 is my proposal to create a fairer, more predictable process for businesses and families who want to create or expand their operations in South Dakota. 

“This legislation protects local control by putting decisions in the hands of a majority, not a vocal few. It provides certainty to what can be a very unpredictable process. And, it moves many decisions out of the court system and back into the hands of local residents.

“SB 157 does all of this without changing any environmental standards the state or counties must follow; without making changes to current or future zoning standards established by a county; and without changing public input or notice for conditional use permits. In just a few minutes, the committee will hear from business leaders, county commissioners, farmers and ranchers, bankers, energy developers, and many more.

“These are all people we’ve worked very closely with to develop this legislation. They have seen firsthand how broken this process can be and how important it is that we fix it.

“I will leave you with this thought. 

“I invite you to imagine a South Dakota where grandparents aren’t saying goodbye to their grandkids. Instead, the next generation is staying here – at home – because all our communities are growing and thriving.

“Please vote yes on SB 157. Thank you.”

Senate Bill 157 has received widespread support from county commissioners, the agriculture community, energy companies, and groups including:

• Association of General Contractors
• Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce
• East River Electric
• Farm Credit Services of America
• NextEra Energy Resources
• Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
• South Dakota Association of Cooperatives
• South Dakota Association of County Commissioners
• South Dakota Bankers Association
• South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association
• South Dakota Chamber of Commerce
• South Dakota Corn
• South Dakota Dairy Producers
• South Dakota Electric Utility Companies
• South Dakota Ethanol Producers
• South Dakota Farm Bureau
• South Dakota Pork Producers
• South Dakota Poultry Industries Association
• South Dakota Retailers Association
• South Dakota Rural Electric Cooperatives
• South Dakota Soybean Association
• South Dakota Wind Energy Association

Following Noem’s testimony, the committee passed SB 157 with a 6-3 vote.

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Dusty Johnson Announces Re-Election Campaign for House

Rapid City, South Dakota – Today U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson officially announced his intent to seek re-election to the U.S. House.

“I said I had energy to burn and South Dakota sent me to Washington to make good on that promise,” said Johnson. “In Congress, I spend every day working to ensure South Dakota has a seat at the table.”

During his first term in the U.S. House, Johnson:

– Was named Republican leader of the Agriculture subcommittee that oversees  food stamps and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

– Introduced the FEEDD Act to ensure USDA moved the prevent plant harvest date for producers.

– Led efforts to secure bipartisan votes for President Trump’s USMCA trade deal, which was signed into law this year.

– Stood with the president during the government shutdown to secure funding for the border wall, ultimately securing billions for new construction.

– Opposed legislation that didn’t do enough to combat the nation’s $23 trillion debt and consistently voted against overreaching federal regulations.

– Supported the administration’s efforts to curb welfare abuses and promote work for able-bodied individuals receiving food stamps.

“I’m proud of what South Dakota’s congressional office has achieved in such a short time, but there’s so much more I want to get done. Agriculture is my number one priority and our farmers and ranchers need secure trade deals. We need to continue to prioritize border security, and I will be a solid partner in delivering the president’s goal of 400 new miles by the end of 2020. Rather than add to the problem, I want to deliver the solution to our national debt. I have big goals, but I have a lot more energy to burn for South Dakota.”

Click here to watch Johnson’s campaign announcement video.

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If you weren’t able to be there, here’s last night’s speeches from the GOP US House Candidates, first Liz May, and then Dusty Johnson.

And you’ll be left with the burning question.. Could Liz May beat Dusty Johnson in a sprint if Dusty was wearing his Toy Story pajamas?

Watch it, and you’ll understand:

Did I catch that Liz has been planning this campaign for 8 MONTHS?

Senate Bill 54, The bill to prevent nanny-state advocates at the municipal level from attacking local businesses by banning plastic straws and bags was reconsidered, and found new advocates as it moved forward in the House after Senate passage, and is now headed for the Governor’s Desk:

The Alex Jensen for Sioux Falls City Council campaign in Sioux Falls posted a campaign video on Facebook today. Check it out below:

Still no word on any opponent, particularly Theresa Stehly who continues to keep quiet about entering the race.

Remember last week when I brought up the mysterious list of 18 legislators allegedly endorsing her that Congressional candidate Liz May was clucking about?

If May is going to claim that “18 former/current South Dakota State Legislators formally endorsed” May’s candidacy..  why aren’t they saying who those “key endorsements” are?

Read that here.

I just had someone send me a link to the video that just went up on the consultant-led Liz May for Congress Facebook page (I’d share the video, but it won’t allow embedding), and they finally came out of the closet with the secret list:

Sen. Phil Jensen
Sen. Lance Russell
Rep. Tim Goodwin
Rep. Tina Mullaly
Rep. Tony Randolph
Rep. Julie Frye-Mueller
Rep. Taffy Howard
Rep. Thomas Brunner
Rep. Kevin Jensen
Rep. Kaleb Weis
Rep. Steve Livermont
Rep. Sam Marty
Rep. Tom Pischke
Former Rep/Sen Betty Olson
Former Rep. Don Kopp
Former Rep. Blaine Campbell
Former Rep. Glenn Freeman

I don’t think there were any surprises here. But… maybe my math is off, but I’m only counting 17 people here.

I mean, I’m glad the consultant finally bothered to look up how to spell Phil Jensen’s name, but the claim was that she had the endorsement of 18 current/former legislators.

(Are the endorsements already starting to drop like flies?)

UPDATE:

The video was down ALREADY for corrections.. (Did it make it 6 hours?)

The now deleted video is still playing in a tiny window in my text message as sent to me…

liz_may_Endorsement_Clip from Pat Powers on Vimeo.

There’s a replacement video up where they tacked on former Rep Dan Kaiser on to the front of the list, so they’re back up to 18 politicians endorsing Liz. (Maybe they should get a consultant who can count next time they do a video.)

Well, this is interesting…

Aside from those running for their current seats, in the Senate, State Rep. Herman Otten makes his previously announced senate race official. Bryan Breitling is running as a Republican for State Senate in District 23 (John Lake currently holds this seat).

No other surprises, but we do see termed out State Sen. Phil Jensen is dropping down to run for the State House, triggering a House primary between he, Taffy Howard, and Melanie Torno.

Lots more to come in the 42 days left to turn in petitions.