Gov. Noem Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration for May 12 Storm Damage

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration and signed Executive Order 2022-06 to help South Dakota local governments recover from public infrastructure damage sustained as a result of tornadoes, severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding that occurred on May 12 in the eastern part of the state.

FEMA assistance is requested to help with repairs for damage done to public infrastructure. A preliminary damage assessment indicates more than $6.7 million in damage was done to public infrastructure in 20 counties and on two reservations.

Public infrastructure damage assistance is being requested for the counties of: Aurora, Beadle, Bon Homme, Brookings, Clay, Codington, Day, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Hanson, Hutchinson, Kingsbury, Lake, McCook, Minor, Minnehaha, Moody, Roberts, and Turner as well as the Flandreau Indian and Lake Traverse Reservations.

In a letter to President Biden, Noem wrote that the storm resulted in two deaths, a preliminary number of 14 reported tornadoes, and wind gusts of more than 100 miles per hour in some places. The storms also resulted in the temporary closure of roads and highways. Nearly 70,000 customers experienced power outages.

“Widespread damage, including downed power lines, overturned semi-trucks, vehicle crashes, uprooted or snapped trees, and destroyed traffic control signs, was reported,” wrote Governor Noem. “An EF2 tornado, with wind speeds estimated at 120 mph, passed through the town of Castlewood. Several structures and homes sustained significant damage, including the Castlewood school.”

Noem’s request does not guarantee federal funding will be made available to South Dakota. But the Governor, in her letter, said while South Dakotans are working together on the recovery process, federal assistance is still needed.

“The impact of this event will be felt in these communities well into the future,” Noemcontinued. “However, with the availability of federal assistance, combined with the state, local, and voluntary assistance provided, it will help individuals, businesses, and governments inch closer to recovering from this disaster.”

South Dakota currently has six open Presidential disaster declarations for other events and is working with FEMA on the recovery process for each of those disasters.

You can find the request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration here.

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In the department of the ‘important races,’  I managed to win my place in obscure political history as the victor in my precinct committeeman contest.

Will this lead to bigger and greater things? No. Absolutely not.

Post-primary, I’ve updated my 2022 Candidate list (subject to changes, and the conventions), which you can find here, running down who actually has a race this fall, as there were a lot of races decided this week in the primary.

In case you’re wondering what we have coming up this fall in the legislative arena, I’ve attached it, including the independents and libertarians on my list.  District 1 may be subject to a replacement candidate for Logan Manhart who has withdrawn, so I’m leaving that race as a contest that will be held this fall.  (If I made a mistake on any of these, I’m sure you’ll be quick to point it out.)

Legislative Races: (Races Bolded)

Race	District	Name	Party
State Senator	District 01	Michael H. Rohl	REP
State Senator	District 01	Susan Wismer	IND
State Representative	District 01	Steven D. McCleerey	DEM
State Representative	District 01	Tamara St John	REP
State Senator	District 02	Steve Kolbeck	REP
State Representative	District 02	Gary Leighton	DEM
State Representative	District 02	John Sjaarda	REP
State Representative	District 02	David Kull	REP
State Senator	District 03	Al Novstrup	REP
State Representative	District 03	Emily Meier	DEM
State Representative	District 03	Brandei Schaefbauer	REP
State Representative	District 03	Carl E. Perry	REP
State Senator	District 04	John Wiik	REP
State Representative	District 04	Travis D. Paulson	DEM
State Representative	District 04	Fred Deutsch	REP
State Representative	District 04	Stephanie Sauder	REP
State Senator	District 05	Lee Schoenbeck	REP
State Representative	District 05	Kahden Mooney	DEM
State Representative	District 05	Byron I. Callies	REP
State Representative	District 05	Hugh M. Bartels	REP
State Senator	District 06	Herman Otten	REP
State Representative	District 06	Aaron Aylward	REP
State Representative	District 06	Ernie Otten	REP
State Senator	District 07	Tim Reed	REP
State Representative	District 07	Mary J. Perpich	DEM
State Representative	District 07	Lisa R Johnsen	DEM
State Representative	District 07	Mellissa Heermann	REP
State Representative	District 07	Roger DeGroot	REP
State Senator	District 08	Casey Crabtree	REP
State Representative	District 08	John Mills	REP
State Representative	District 08	Tim Reisch	REP
State Senator	District 09	Brent Hoffman	REP
State Representative	District 09	Nick Winkler	DEM
State Representative	District 09	Kenneth Teunissen	REP
State Representative	District 09	Bethany Soye	REP
State Senator	District 10	Liz Larson	DEM
State Senator	District 10	Maggie Sutton	REP
State Representative	District 10	Erin Healy	DEM
State Representative	District 10	Kameron Nelson	DEM
State Representative	District 10	John G. Mogen	REP
State Representative	District 10	Tom E Sutton	REP
State Senator	District 11	Sheryl L. Johnson	DEM
State Senator	District 11	Jim Stalzer	REP
State Representative	District 11	Margaret Kuipers	DEM
State Representative	District 11	Kim Parke	DEM
State Representative	District 11	Brian K. Mulder	REP
State Representative	District 11	Chris Karr	REP
State Senator	District 12	Jessica Meyers	DEM
State Senator	District 12	Arch Beal	REP
State Representative	District 12	Erin Royer	DEM
State Representative	District 12	Kristin Hayward	DEM
State Representative	District 12	Greg Jamison	REP
State Representative	District 12	Amber Arlint	REP
State Senator	District 13	Jack Kolbeck	REP
State Senator	District 13	Lora Hubbel	IND
State Representative	District 13	Sue Peterson	REP
State Representative	District 13	Tony Venhuizen	REP
State Senator	District 14	Matthew Tysdal	DEM
State Senator	District 14	Larry P. Zikmund	REP
State Representative	District 14	Mike Huber	DEM
State Representative	District 14	Wendy Mamer	DEM
State Representative	District 14	Taylor Rae Rehfeldt	REP
State Representative	District 14	Tyler Tordsen	REP
State Senator	District 15	Reynold F. Nesiba	DEM
State Senator	District 15	Brenda Lawrence	REP
State Representative	District 15	Kadyn Wittman	DEM
State Representative	District 15	Linda Duba	DEM
State Representative	District 15	Joni Tschetter	REP
State Representative	District 15	Matt Rosburg	REP
State Senator	District 16	Donn Larson	DEM
State Senator	District 16	Brian J. Burge	IND
State Senator	District 16	Jim Bolin	REP
State Representative	District 16	Matt Ness	DEM
State Representative	District 16	Kevin D. Jensen	REP
State Representative	District 16	Karla J. Lems	REP
State Senator	District 17	Sydney Davis	REP
State Representative	District 17	Paige Schroeder	DEM
State Representative	District 17	Rebecca “Bekki” Engquist-Schroeder	DEM
State Representative	District 17	Chris Kassin	REP
State Representative	District 17	William “Bill” Shorma	REP
State Senator	District 18	Fredrick Bender	DEM
State Senator	District 18	Jean M. Hunhoff	REP
State Representative	District 18	Jay Williams	DEM
State Representative	District 18	Ryan D. Cwach	DEM
State Representative	District 18	Julie Auch	REP
State Representative	District 18	Mike Stevens	REP
State Senator	District 19	Daniel F. Brandt	DEM
State Senator	District 19	Kyle Schoenfish	REP
State Representative	District 19	Jessica Bahmuller	REP
State Representative	District 19	Drew Peterson	REP
State Senator	District 20	Joshua Klumb	REP
State Representative	District 20	Ben Krohmer	REP
State Representative	District 20	Lance Koth	REP
State Senator	District 21	Dan Andersson	DEM
State Senator	District 21	Erin Tobin	REP
State Representative	District 21	Marty Overweg	REP
State Representative	District 21	Rocky Blare	REP
State Senator	District 22	David Wheeler	REP
State Representative	District 22	Shane Milne	DEM
State Representative	District 22	Lynn Schneider	REP
State Representative	District 22	Roger Chase	REP
State Senator	District 23	Bryan J. Breitling	REP
State Representative	District 23	Scott Moore	REP
State Representative	District 23	James D. Wangsness	REP
State Senator	District 24	Jim Mehlhaff	REP
State Representative	District 24	Mike Weisgram	REP
State Representative	District 24	Will D. Mortenson	REP
State Senator	District 25	Tom Pischke	REP
State Representative	District 25	Dan Ahlers	DEM
State Representative	District 25	David Kills A Hundred	DEM
State Representative	District 25	Jon Hansen	REP
State Representative	District 25	Randy Gross	REP
State Senator	District 26	Shawn Bordeaux	DEM
State Senator	District 26	Joel Koskan	REP
State Representative	District 26A	Eric Emery	DEM
State Representative	District 26A	Joyce Glynn	REP
State Representative	District 26B	Rebecca Reimer	REP
State Senator	District 27	Red Dawn Foster	DEM
State Senator	District 27	David Jones	REP
State Representative	District 27	Norma Rendon	DEM
State Representative	District 27	Peri Pourier	DEM
State Representative	District 27	Bud May	REP
State Representative	District 27	Liz May	REP
State Senator	District 28	Ryan M. Maher	REP
State Representative	District 28A	Oren L Lesmeister	DEM
State Representative	District 28A	Ralph Lyon	IND
State Representative	District 28B	Neal Pinnow	REP
State Representative	District 28B	Calvin Reilly	IND
State Senator	District 29	Dean Wink	REP
State Representative	District 29	Kirk Chaffee	REP
State Representative	District 29	Gary L Cammack	REP
State Representative	District 29	Sean Natche	LIB
State Senator	District 30	Julie Frye-Mueller	REP
State Representative	District 30	Bret Swanson	DEM
State Representative	District 30	Dennis Krull	REP
State Representative	District 30	Trish Ladner	REP
State Senator	District 31	Randy Deibert	REP
State Representative	District 31	Scott Odenbach	REP
State Representative	District 31	Mary J. Fitzgerald	REP
State Senator	District 32	Nicole A. Heenan	DEM
State Senator	District 32	Helene Duhamel	REP
State Representative	District 32	Jonathan M. Old Horse	DEM
State Representative	District 32	Christine Stephenson	DEM
State Representative	District 32	Becky J. Drury	REP
State Representative	District 32	Steve Duffy	REP
State Senator	District 33	David Johnson	REP
State Representative	District 33	Darren Freidel	LIB
State Representative	District 33	Curt Massie	REP
State Representative	District 33	Phil Jensen	REP
State Representative	District 33	Vince Vidal	DEM
State Senator	District 34	Michael Diedrich	REP
State Representative	District 34	Darla Drew	DEM
State Representative	District 34	Jay Shultz	DEM
State Representative	District 34	Mike Derby	REP
State Representative	District 34	Jess Olson	REP
State Senator	District 35	Jessica Castleberry	REP
State Representative	District 35	David A. Hubbard	DEM
State Representative	District 35	Pat Cromwell	DEM
State Representative	District 35	Tony Randolph	REP
State Representative	District 35	Tina L Mulally	REP

Thune: Radical Student Loan Forgiveness Plan Wouldn’t Lower Tuition Costs

“With inflation near a 40-year high and the president’s approval rating hitting a new low – and with Democrat prospects for November looking less than rosy – it’s not exactly surprising that the president would look toward student loan forgiveness as a way of distracting voters.”

Click here or on the picture above to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed President Biden’s proposal to forgive student loans and how it would be unfair to Americans who have already paid off their student loans or never incurred student loan debt. He also noted that it would do absolutely nothing to address the underlying problem: the rising cost of higher education.

Here’s a few thoughts as the election ends from those who may not have found the favor of voters..

“I congratulate Governor Noem on her win in the election. We are all called to ‘pray for those in authority’ and we will continue to do that on behalf of the Governor and all of our elected leaders.”
– Steve Haugaard, Candidate for Governor, Facebook.

“I entered this race because I believe we are losing our country and we need to send people to DC who will stand up and fight for our citizens, our Constitution, and the principles that made this nation the greatest nation on earth. I still believe that, but I respect the will of the people of this great state.”
– Taffy Howard, Candidate for Congress, Facebook.

“The primary over, I offer my congratulations to the candidates more for my own good than for any others’. In the midst of disappointment, time to lay aside talk and gestures that cause hurt.”
 – Mark Mowry, Candidate for US Senate, Facebook.

“The Whalen candidacy was ultimately a referendum on South Dakota. The state chose Thune and other status quo candidates to continue the march toward ratifying itself as a Giant Indian Reservation. The Stockholm Syndrome is strong with this state. The rescue continues.”
– Bruce Whalen, Candidate for US Senate, Public Statement

 

 

Wow. That is a tremendous turnout.

Republican voters in South Dakota are breaking more records. Thanks to over 43% turnout of Republicans, this Primary Election had the biggest turnout in over a decade. With only 2.8% of Democrats voting it was still a record of 32% turnout. Thank you South Dakota Republicans!

— South Dakota GOP (@sdgop) June 9, 2022

As I was driving home last night after the election event at the Hilton Garden Inn, going up Minnesota Avenue in Sioux Falls, I noticed this big “Cole Heisey for House” billboard that was nowhere near his District.

And seeing the results today, where Amber Arlint and Terry Loudenslager are 13 votes apart waiting for the canvas and likely recount, I can’t help but wonder…

If Cole had spent more time running his race against his opponents, instead of a semi-obnoxious political blog, I wonder how many of the 220 votes he needed to move from fourth place to second could he have made up?

If we can sense last night was about anything’s races, it was that voters were not in the mood to upset the applecart.

John Thune, Dusty Johnson, and Kristi Noem.. all re-elected with authority.

If you look at those who were already in their position, the losses were Kaleb Weis, Richard Thomason, Richard Vasgaard, and Caleb Finck in the House, with Mary Duvall in the Senate. Turning away challenges were Mike Rohl, Al Novstrup, Carl Perry, Fred Deutsch, Lee Schoenbeck, Casey Crabtree, John Mills, Bethany Soye, Chris Karr, Greg Jamison, Sue Peterson, Taylor Rehfeldt, Jim Bolin, Kevin Jensen, Lance Koth, Bryan Breitling, Mike Weisgram, Will Mortenson, Kirk Chaffee, (ugh) Julie Frye Mueller, Trish Ladner, Scott Odenbach, Mary Fitzgerald, Becky Drury, David Johnson, Phil Jensen, Mike Derby, Jess Olson, Tony Randolph, and Tina Mulally.

Literally in 30 of 35 races – 85% of those legislative contests, no one was looking for anything resembling change. When they were there, incumbents largely pulled through.

That’s a pretty strong trend.

Announcement
June 8th 2022

Recent speculation has circulated in the news regarding my past residency as well as residency requirements for the Legislature specifically. While I have remained publicly silent during this time as I explore every possible option and outcome, I have come to the decision that the people of District 1 and the residents of South Dakota are what truly matter in this election. I have realized that If I were to proceed with the race, it may put the voters of District 1 in a compromising position come November when they have an important choice to make. After consulting with my legal counsel as well as friends and family, I have made the decision that it’s in the best interest for all for me to withdraw from the race. During the past two weeks I have explored every legal and political option at my disposal and at the end of the day I must abide by all rules and laws that have been set forth for this position.

Recent allegations were made that I had not met the full two-year requirement of being a South Dakota resident, and despite being approved to run initially, I cannot proceed. While I take full responsibility for the ramifications of this decision, I believe that each voter should be able to compare the candidates on their merit, free of the negativity and misinformation spread by others regarding my candidacy. Make no mistake, I plan to remain here in my home in South Dakota and help elect the candidates who stand with the conservative values we believe in.

Moving forward, I will be paying close attention to how things shake out both in the 2022 midterms and 2024 Presidential election. Thank you for the overwhelming support during these last 6 months. The race may be over for me, but the fight for the cause has just begun!

-Logan Manhart

Despite earlier notes that he might still be in, the Argus Leader is reporting this morning that former State Senator Jordan Youngberg is out of the race for the office of School & Public Lands, and the path is clear for Senator Brock Greenfield to take it all:

But there will likely be one fewer race for the GOP nomination of a statewide office after former lawmaker Jordan Youngberg has bowed out of the contest for the open South Dakota Schools and Public Lands seat this week.

“I just want to concentrate on hanging out with my kids now,” said the 31-year-old Madison man who in February 2021 became the first to enter the race for the seat. “It’s more fun than any committee meeting I’ve ever been at.”

Read it here.

Convention races might start to be more dynamic & fluid now, but this definitely clears the deck for Brock to move forward to November and the win!