Anyone hear anything about Dusty Johnson’s Democrat challenger for Congress?

Me neither.

While there had been some earlier chatter about Democrat Remi Bald Eagle possibly giving it a go, no campaign committee seems to have materialized.

Neither have any petitions started circulating that I’ve heard about.

What seems to be shaping up, is that Democrats stand more than a good chance of giving Dusty Johnson a second pass in challenging him for the state’s lone Congressional seat.

I don’t know if there’s ever been a time in the state’s history where Democrats have abandoned one of the top 4 seats for two elections in a row.  Sure, they skip the lower tier Constitutional offices all the time. But Congress? It’s remarkable that they skip at all, much less two in a row.

Sure, anyone good is reluctant to take on Thune, but they came up with Jay Williams and Brian Bengs (if he makes the ballot).  They wouldn’t dare skip the Governor’s race. But now they seem poised ready to throw their hands up in a second election against Dusty Johnson.

Now, I wouldn’t be shocked for a libertarian to throw their hat in the ring to run, since all they have to do is get talked into it at their convention. But they’re libertarians, not one of the two major political parties.

Clearly, Democrats have fallen pretty hard and fast from the days when Tim Johnson or Stephanie Herseth Sandlin won and held on to the Congressional seat.

And with it looking like they’re going to bag out from the Congressional race for two in a row, they’re still falling.

Where has time gone?

I missed the anniversary of the inaugural post on February 5th, but this month, South Dakota War College turned seventeen.. which is really, really old in blog years, considering that most blogs have a life of 2-years before authors tire of them, or get busy with other things.

There were a few South Dakota Blogs already established when I came along, but they eventually went by the wayside.  Even the most long-lasting, Sibby Online, went silent in 2018, perked up for a bit in late 2020/early 2021, and has remained silent for the last year.   I do understand the desire to to different things, as I left it to others at one point for about 18 months, but came back, and have been at the helm ever since, now for just a few months shy of the last decade.

In my minds eye, I see myself continuing to do this at least through 2026.. Which would get me past the blog’s 21st birthday.. and god help me, my 60th.  It’s hard to think that I started blogging in my 30’s, and anticipate continuing to do so into my 60’s.  If that doesn’t give a person a sense of mortality, I’m not sure what else does.

But really, when you’ve been riding with the blogging monkey on your back for this long, it’s probably not going to be a habit that is so easily given up.

Stay tuned!  At least through our 18th!

From my mailbox –

Monae Johnson Announces Bid to Become South Dakota’s Next Secretary of State.

PIERRE, SD FEB. 24, 2022 – Monae Johnson has earned an impeccable reputation for hard work and integrity while serving under the current Secretary of State, along with two former Secretaries of State. Johnson, having worked with three Governors and three Attorneys General, has also earned the respect of her peers. With over eight years of experience working in every division of the South Dakota Secretary of State’s office, she is fully prepared to take on any challenge.

Focused on election integrity and voter confidence, Johnson is officially kicking off her campaign today, by releasing the following statement.

“We live in a time where trust and confidence are paramount in our institutions. I have listened to voters across South Dakota and I agree that we can work harder and do better. The act of voting is the sacred cornerstone of our free society and we must work together to protect it.

“Today, I am announcing my candidacy for Secretary of State in the great state of South Dakota. As South Dakota’s next Secretary of State, I will work hard to safeguard that which is sacred. The good, hard working people of South Dakota deserve full transparency, election integrity and peace of mind.”

###

From Facebook/Fox News:

Nelson to run for re-election to Public Utilities Commission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 23, 2022

Chris Nelson announced today that he will be a candidate for re-election to the Public Utilities Commission in 2022.  Chris made the announcement to a crowd gathered for the Hughes County Lincoln Day Dinner in Pierre.

Nelson said, “The complexities of the utility business demand commissioners who are dedicated to advocating for consumers, are able to dig into the details of cases before the commission, and have the integrity to make just and fair decisions based on law.  My record as commissioner over the past eleven years highlights my commitment in each of these areas.”

While on the commission Nelson has focused on three priorities.  First and foremost is listening to and advocating for utility consumers to keep rates as low as possible and service reliable.  PUC regulated electricity rate changes over the last five years have been held down to half the rate of inflation.

Second has been working to expand broadband availability in rural South Dakota.  With his roots in agriculture Nelson understands the importance of high speed broadband connections to the business needs of farmers and ranchers as well as education and healthcare advancements.  Federal Communication Commission data show that in the last five years 25 mbps broadband has increased from availability in 58% of South Dakota’s census blocks to 94% of census blocks.

Third is a commitment to making decisions on issues before the PUC based on law and facts, not political whims or personal agendas.  Chris has a reputation for digging into the details of each case to make sure consumers are protected throughout the process.

Chris will be seeking nomination for Public Utilities Commissioner at the state Republican convention held June 23-25.  The nomination will place his name on the ballot in the November general election.

Nelson was appointed to a vacancy on the PUC in January 2011 by Governor Dennis Daugaard, won election in 2012 to serve the remainder of the six year term, and won reelection in 2016.  He previously served two terms as Secretary of State.

Additional information is available at www.nelsonforsd.com.

 

A couple of new candidates came in from under the radar today that no one had heard much about until now.

First is Republican Mary Beth Weinheimer, who filed the campaign finance forms for House campaign committee in District 24.

Her entrance into the race would trigger a new primary in District 24 House (there’s already a Senate primary in D24) against incumbents Will Mortenson and Mike Weisgram, who successfully came out of the House primary in 2020.  And both were pretty good campaigners, so I don’t anticipate they’re going to go without a fight.

Next new candidate is Republican Kerry Loudenslager running in D12, who filed paperwork to join that already crowded primary with Cole Heisey, Greg Jamison, Gary Schuster, and Amber Arlint.

And that’s Loudenslager.  While phonetically it might sound alike, no relation to the more infamous Lautenschlager’s of SD Gun Owners’  and Taffy Howard’s campaign from out on the other end of the state.

Still more than a month left until petitions are due, so we should start seeing a lot more filings in the weeks to come.

Stay tuned.

State Reps Steve Haugaard and Taffy Howard are certainly setting themselves apart today as they vote no on the Bio-medical research facility in Sioux Falls. And then reject upkeep for the world class music museum facility in Vermillion.

Music museum funding bill narrowly passed. Initially, it only had 46 yes votes – which would be short of passage – but House Speaker @SpencerGosch changed vote to yes pic.twitter.com/Nt7AL6tyz9

— Joe Sneve (@Argus_Joe) February 23, 2022

and..

Discovery District passes with 53 votes. It will next be considered in the Senate. pic.twitter.com/6tpcDRV6tb

— Joe Sneve (@Argus_Joe) February 23, 2022

Looks like science wins again, as the the South Dakota State Senate rejects State Representative Phil Jensen’s bill to allow off label use of the horse dewormer invermectin in the treatment of COVID:

Ivermectin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved prescription medication used to treat certain infections caused by internal and external parasites. There’s also veterinary formulations of ivermectin, sometimes available over the counter, to be used as a de-wormer for dogs, cats, horses, cows and pigs.

Rep. Phil Jensen (R-Rapid City) was the bill’s prime sponsor. He said the bill was not a mandate and turned testimony over to a number of doctors testifying remotely as well as a few South Dakotans touting the use of ivermectin to combat COVID-19.

and..

The South Dakota State Medical Association spoke against it and lobbyist Justin Bell said people with authority to prescribe drugs can already prescribe ivermectin. He said under the bill, a veterinarian could give a prescription to humans.

Read the entire story here.

From Twitter, Governor Noem is announcing her authorship of a book that will be coming out this summer.

Governor Noem announced on Fox and Friends this morning she’s writing a book, which will be coming out this Summer. https://t.co/o0NuhrdXl1

— Austin Goss (@AustinGossSD) February 23, 2022

Sharing an announcement that was sent over to me today. District 23 State Representative Charlie Hoffman is deciding to take a pass on another term of office at this time, leaving an open seat.

I have decided to end my political career on a WIN and will not be running again for the legislature. 

I have all the time in the world during the winter to be spending time with my six grandchildren in South Dakota and sitting in Pierre doesn’t allow that.  I hate putting a suit on every day too. LOL

Thank you everyone for eight great years in the SD House and know that I’m not going away just changing gears. Also anyone wishing to run please contact me as I will help you in your campaign.
Respectfully,
Charlie Hoffman

And it’s too bad because Charlie is such a good guy. Representative Hoffman – thank you for your service to the people of South Dakota and best wishes for the future.