Statement from GOP Chair Dan Lederman on Democrat Jamie Smith announcement for Governor
“Jamie Smith’s candidacy for governor is a stark reminder of what could have been if Democrats were in power during the pandemic: jobs lost, businesses closed, classrooms empty, and parents silenced as their children suffered. Thanks to Governor Kristi Noem, our economy thrived and led the nation, we welcomed businesses to open their doors, we kept kids in the classroom, and stayed true to our motto that under God, the people rule.”
“This November, South Dakotans will choose to move forward, not back.”
Statement from Kristi for Governor Campaign Manager Joe Desilets on Democrat Jamie Smith’s Campaign Announcement
FEBRUARY 1, 2022
“Jamie’s voting record and values don’t align with the people of South Dakota. He has an F rating with the NRA, supports abortion on demand, government mandates, and marched with BLM. He is an extreme liberal whose policies have been rejected by South Dakotans for decades.”
House Minority Leader Jamie Smith, a realtor and former educator from Sioux Falls, is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor pic.twitter.com/lEUBB5PC61
Looks like they’re in the midst of their rebranding effort for Jamie Smith, with a House of Representatives logo, but a title that he’s running for Gov.
But that’s ok. It gives Republicans a tangible opponent, as opposed to looking inward to fight against something as they have the last few years.
Release: First head-to-head fundraising comparison in the gubernatorial primary
PRESS RELEASE JANUARY 31, 2022
With the posting of Rep. Steve Haugaard’s Year-End Report this morning, we have our first head-to-head comparison between his fundraising and Governor Noem’s.
Highlights:
Governor Noem has raised over $11.8 million cycle-to-date, Haugaard has raised just $56,000.
This equates to Haugaard having raised just 0.47% of Governor Noem’s total and Governor Noem has out-raised Haugaard 210 to 1.
Governor Noem has over $7.3 million cash on hand across her committees, Haugaard has less than $36,000.
Haugaard’s cash on hand is 0.49% of Governor Noem’s total and Governor Noem’s cash on hand bests Haugaard’s 204 to 1.
Governor Noem has over 8,700 individual donors in the state of South Dakota vs 43 itemized donors from South Dakota for Haugaard.
Governor Noem is grateful for the support of the thousands of people who have supported her campaign. The campaign is excited about the opportunity to talk with the voters over the next 9 months and make our case for four more years.
There is much to be proud of from Governor Noem’s first term, including South Dakota’s best in the nation economy, historic investments in the future of our state through education and infrastructure, and the continued protection of our constitutional rights and freedoms from government encroachment.
KELOland is reporting that Jamie Smith will be making an announcement with “statewide implications” tomorrow:
In a news release, the S.D. Democratic Party says Smith, the current Minority Leader in the House, will deliver a speech and take questions from journalists at 11 a.m. at the Capitol Lake Visitor Center in Pierre.
While Bruce Whalen is happy to be approaching $5000 in the bank, incumbent US Senator John Thune is gearing up to take on all comers.
For the Friends of John Thune Committee, Thune is posting $233,025.86 raised in the 4th quarter against $185,302.92 in expenses. Leaving him a phenomenal (and possibly record setting for a SD committee) $15,152,231.03 in the bank for the primary election.
(Not that he’s going to have a primary. I still don’t think the others will get on the ballot.)
After failing to reach the threshold for financial reporting in his previous FEC Report, Bruce Whalen finally has some numbers to show us. And it’s not pretty.
In his first report, Whalen reports raising $17,137.00, against expenses of $12,166.36 leaving him $4,970 in the bank.
Pro-Life Leaders Support Governor Noem’s Legislation
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, pro-life leaders announced their support for Governor Noem’s two proposed bills to protect unborn lives. The first will ban abortions once a child’s heartbeat can be detected; the second will ban telemedicine abortions in South Dakota.
“We’re proud to again stand with Gov. Noem and pro-life South Dakotans in their tireless efforts to make South Dakota the safest place in the nation for unborn children and their mothers,” saidSusan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. “This legislation will save the lives of babies in the womb, with beating hearts like you and me, and establish permanent state-level safeguards for women’s health and safety against dangerous mail-order abortion drugs. Under Gov. Noem’s bold leadership, South Dakota continually raises the bar for pro-life protections in America.”
Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice, pledged to represent the State of South Dakota in any potential litigation against this legislation. Jay is already working with the State’s legal team in the ongoing Planned Parenthood v. Noem litigation, and he is conducting that work pro bono.
“It is an honor and privilege to stand with Gov. Noem and her fight for the protection of life of the unborn. We will be honored to defend this legislation alongside the Governor and the Attorney General for the great people of South Dakota,” said Jay Sekulow.
You can read the heartbeat legislation here. You can read the telemedicine abortion ban here.
After transferring $10k from his legislative campaign, Haugaard still failed to break $50k in donations otherwise.
$3,221 unitemized. $43,000 itemized against $20,411.86 in expenditures, leaving him with $35,809.14 cash on hand.
For a gubernatorial effort against a campaign with reportedly $7 Million plus in the bank, this campaign isn’t going anywhere very fast, because it’s not really a campaign. And it might be over before it has started.
Update – I had to run out, but as I get home and look at this report, $18,717.14 of his 20k in expenses was for consulting.
