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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Recalling former Republican Legislator Tom Holmes entrance into the Minnehaha County Commission race as a Democrat, I had a rumor passed my way last evening that former Democrat Party Executive Director and City Council candidate Pam Cole is supposedly going to be assisting him with his race.

Well, that doesn’t bode well.

For Tom, I mean. That doesn’t bode well for Tom.

So apparently a new billboard went up in Watertown today.

Spotted this evening in Watertown. State legislative battles heating up. pic.twitter.com/ZLKlUfbmTY

— Austin Goss (@AustinGossSD) May 3, 2022

The political action committee sponsoring it is being fronted by Dusty Johnson’s 2020 primary conquest, Liz May. But I can’t help but have a inkling of where it came from.

Misspelled words.. an out of context quote.. that seems to smell like the usual suspects. I mean, It’s just not “anbody” who would cock up a couple thousand dollar billboard like that.

The Minnehaha County GOP is hosting a duo of candidate forums this week and next week to introduce State & County Candidates to the public, according to a flyer put out by the Minnehaha County GOP this last weekend:

Check it out, and add it to your calendar.

In a story this morning at the Argus Leader website, Bethany Soye found herself standing alone as the only Legislative candidate in all of District 9 who opposed impeachment.

As noted in the Argus, Soye based her opinion on the standards set by the House committee:

As an attorney, I agree with the clear and convincing standard of proof the committee determined was necessary for articles of impeachment to issue. I do not believe the facts that were presented meet this standard. Despite over a year of investigation, there was insufficient evidence to charge more than two traffic misdemeanors. Neither of these offenses was committed “in office or by virtue of the office.”

Read it here.

Is this going to set her apart in the House Primary?

And will siding with what many view as a flawed committee process – one rejected by a majority of House members – affect her ability to be re-elected?