Gov. Noem Proclaims Today Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Noem proclaimed May 5^th as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day in South Dakota.

“Today, we remember the Indigenous people who have been murdered and those who remain missing. We are committed to working with Tribal Nations to address this ongoing tragedy and help our fellow South Dakotans, the Oceti Sakowin people,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “I encourage every South Dakotan to take a moment today to reflect on and help raise awareness for those within this vulnerable population. Let’s give them our help and support and continue to lift them and their families up in prayer.”

Actions taken by Governor Noem to address the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered indigenous people include:

• Establishing procedures for the investigation of missing and murdered indigenous persons;
• Establishing a missing person clearinghouse;
• Creating and fully funding the Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People; and
• Working on state legislation for the last 4 years to better combat human trafficking.

Additionally, while serving in the United States House of Representatives, then-Congresswoman Noem sponsored the “Protect Our Native Women Act” and legislation to make tribes eligible for AMBER Alert grants. She also co-sponsored anti-human trafficking legislation that was signed into law by both PresidentsObama and Trump.

“While these efforts have made a positive lasting impact, we have more work to do,” continued Governor Noem. “Through further collaboration between our Tribal Nations, federal agencies, and the State of South Dakota, we will continue working to end this terrible crisis.”

You can find Governor Noem’s proclamation here. To learn more about Native American culture and education, visit the Department of Tribal Relations’website.

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According to the Secretary of State’s office, the deadline to submit an independent candidate nominating petition was April 26, 2022.

But, wasn’t Lora Hubbel allegedly running as an Independent candidate for that office?

We all must have missed those petitions being turned in.

Wondering what all this primary election folderol is on the Republican side of the aisle? Check out our helpful infographic below for an update on the races.

There’s an article posted at the Argus Leader this evening noting Governor Kristi Noem’s importance in the Republican primaries, and the fact she’s taking an active role in the primaries as the symbolic head of the Republican Party in South Dakota in encouraging people to run:

Not seen as vulnerable in her primary, Noem says she’s still not taking her party’s nomination for governor for granted. But she is managing to find time to involve herself in some battleground legislative contests. She’s offered candidate school seminars to up-and-coming politicians, making endorsements and even going as far as publicly chastising Republican incumbents she doesn’t see eye to eye politically.

and..

“In the primary, she’s probably the greatest asset we have,” said Sen. Lee Schoenbeck, the president pro tempore of the Legislature’s higher chamber who’s engaging in open hostilities with a handful of the governor’s political nemesis.

Read that here.

(Is that nemesis, or nemeses?). Of course, the Governor’s agenda does have it’s detractors – and by the looks of it, they’re putting some cash into attacking Senator Schoenbeck for leading the charge:

Pischke launched a campaign ad accusing him of being the “liberal leader of the Senate.” And last week, Rep. Liz May, a Republican who lives hundreds of miles from Watertown, began running a billboard spot in Schoenbeck’s district pegging him as a “tax and spend” politician for helping Noem block a sales tax cut last winter.

and..

“I’m going to do what it takes to expose him and this cabal of Republicans,” she said, though she declined to share the level of campaign funds she intends to focus on Schoenbeck’s race.

Read that here.

Interestingly, the Pischke ad campaign and the PAC billboard comes on the heels of Tom Pischke calling everyone and their dog to try to raise cash. I spoke with at least two people who had gotten calls. This might possibly be what he’s spending the campaign bucks on that he’s trying to raise.

Given Liz May’s electoral skill (such as when she lost to Dusty Johnson 81-19%).. or lack thereof, throwing cash against Lee Schoenbeck might be the second biggest waste of her money after her Congressional race. Given that Schoenbeck is the legislature’s OG campaign machine, and is completely and utterly indefatigable when it comes to political races, Liz has a pretty uphill battle if she thinks she’s going to take him down a peg.

But, it is endlessly entertaining political theater.   Stay tuned.

From my mailbox:

Jessica Bahmuller Running for District 19 House

Alexandria, SD — Jessica Bahmuller, finance director for Alexandria, is running in the Republican primary for the opportunity to represent District 19 in the South Dakota House.

“Growing up in rural South Dakota and being involved in 4-H and FFA, I realized the importance of community service and working hard for the values in which you believe. I’ve been a strong Conservative, active in the Republican Party my entire life. I know the values of small government and want to preserve our South Dakota way of life for our kids. With ten years of experience working in local government for my neighbors in Alexandria, I’m ready to put my small town values to work in Pierre for District 19.”

Bahmuller graduated from SDSU with a degree in business. In addition to her work for the city of Alexandria, Bahmuller works part-time for her family’s business. She served on the SD Wildlife Expo board, is an avid hunter, a member of the NRA, and is active in other community organizations.

Bahmuller is a fiscal conservative and supports keeping the government small and accountable with more local control. She is pro-life and pro-family and supports the 2nd Amendment.

Bahmuller and her husband Aaron, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, have three children, Brayden, Lily, and Archer, active in the Hanson School District.

Contact Bahmuller on her website: www.bahmuller4sd.com and on Facebook at /bahmuller4sd

Great forum tonight by the Watertown Chamber of Commerce with the District 4 House and District 5 State Senate Republican candidates:

There were some good comments from candidates. And some not so good. District 4’s Adam Grimm came out in opposition to corn being used for ethanol. And he certainly grabbed my attention when he declared “getting Government out of education is a plus.”  Well.. I’m not sure who is supposed to run local schools then?

In the District 5 Senate race, I’m not sure Lee Schoenbeck’s opponent generates enough mental power to ambulate. I think the moderator spent more time picking apart some of the dumb things he said than Lee Schoenbeck had to address. That, and Colin Paulsen slammed the Governor talking about Marijuana getting more votes than she did.  Not sure that’s going to earn him any points in Watertown.

Line of the night did come from the Senator, when he declared: “If leaders don’t speak out, you get people like this Pischke from Dell Rapids and Frye Mueller from out in the Hills.. you get people you wouldn’t want taking care of your dog.”

Ouch.

Thune: Senate Will Vote Today to Overturn Biden’s Toddler Mask Mandate

“Everybody’s going to have an opportunity to go on the record on whether or not toddlers, toddlers under the age of five, even when they’re outside on the playground, ought to be required to wear masks.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today announced at a press conference that the Senate will vote today on his resolution to repeal the Biden administration’s toddler mask mandate.

Thune’s remarks below:

“Last week, the president of the United States made a fairly revealing comment when he said that children are not their parents’ children when they’re in the classroom.

“And it’s revealing in a lot of ways, because I think it emphasizes the Democrats’ view when it comes to kids and the teachers’ unions use when it comes to our kids.

“And I think that was probably put on full display when the administration adopted a rule that requires toddlers to wear masks if they are in a Head Start facility, even if they are outside on the playground.

“It was a very sweeping rule, and it’s one that I think is completely inconsistent with what we understand to be the role of parents when it comes to making decisions that are in the best interest of their kids.

“So we’re gonna vote today on a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval that would disapprove of this rule.

“Everybody’s going to have an opportunity to go on the record on whether or not toddlers, toddlers under the age of five, even when they’re outside on the playground, ought to be required to wear masks.

“And I would point out that even the World Health Organization has concluded that toddlers shouldn’t have to wear masks, that that’s not necessary, and that there isn’t a public health or safety benefit associated with that.

“We think this is a great example of government overreach, of government putting themselves in the role that should be reserved for parents making decisions that are in the best interest of their children.

“So that vote is going to happen later today, and I certainly hope that we not only have every Republican, which I believe we will, but that will have some wise Democrats who want to make sure that our parents are in charge of their children and not the government.”

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Rounds Issues Statement on Leaked Supreme Court Draft Decision

WASHINGTON – Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after the leak of a draft decision authored by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization:

“Our Framers intended for the Supreme Court to be an independent judiciary, separate and distinct from the executive and legislative branches. The information being reported on the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case was wrongfully leaked from the Court. The Court should investigate and hold accountable whoever is responsible for this breach.

“I am pro-life and firmly believe abortion is wrong. However, I recognize that if this case is decided as reported, individuals across the country will be faced with difficult, emotional decisions. Our job as policymakers should be to make it easier for individuals to choose life, whether that be making certain they have the proper means to raise a child or the confidence to know adoption is a viable option.

“I remain focused on promoting policies that protect life from conception to natural death.”

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REPUBLICAN KEVIN CRISP ANNOUNCES RUN FOR DISTRICT 25 STATE SENATE

Dell Rapids, SD…Kevin R. Crisp of Dell Rapids has announced his candidacy for South Dakota State Senator of District 25. Crisp will run in the Republican primary on June 7.

Crisp served two terms in the S.D. House of Representatives from 1997 to 2001. He has farmed since 1980 and had a successful career in business and sales. Crisp is also a U.S. Army veteran and graduate of South Dakota State University.

“It’s been said that what’s good for farmers is good for South Dakota, and I agree with this statement,” said Crisp. “As a lifelong resident of the Dell Rapids area and a farmer for 40 years, I truly understand agriculture and our farming communities.”

As a Christian conservative, Crisp emphasizes the importance of fair taxation, accountability and keeping rural communities strong, viable and safe. He follows politics closely and believes state government can be more efficient and effective.

“South Dakota faces many challenges,” Crisp said. “District 25 needs mature and experienced leadership to ensure that voters’ concerns and values are heard in Pierre.”

“If elected, I pledge to be available to answer questions and explain what I’m doing to represent voters. I live here in Dell Rapids year-round, and have no ties with lobbyists or special interest groups—I will answer only to voters.”

Crisp is a longtime community leader, serving as township treasurer, clerk and supervisor, Southeast South Dakota Experiment Farm Board President, South Dakota Corn Utilization Council President and Minnehaha County Planning Commissioner. He has served on the South Dakota Extension Board, Minnehaha County Extension Board, U.S. Grains Council
and as part of many other organizations.

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