The website for Jamie Smith for Governor is up at www.smithforgov.org, where the Democrat’s candidate for Governor has posted an intro video for his campaign:

I did find it interesting today where he said he would not support an income tax among other statement this morning:

I get the distinct impression that Smith is going to deliberately avoid talking about some of the issues that highlight and define the differences between Republicans and Democrats in this state, and is going to portray himself as much of a vanilla Democrat as possible.

From the Senate GOP:

We’re just going to leave this right here. pic.twitter.com/nJ71MI6VkK

— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) January 31, 2022

Thune: Biden’s Crisis-Ridden First Year  

“The president has not only failed to unite the country, but, as his ugly and divisive speech in Georgia made clear, he has come to regard anyone who opposes his policies with active hostility – and contempt.”

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 crisis-ridden first year in the White House. Thune noted that the president has completely abandoned the promise of unity he made in his inaugural address and has failed to address multiple ongoing crises that are negatively affecting families across South Dakota.

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.”

Press Contact – Joe Desilets, Campaign Manager

House Minority Leader Jamie Smith, a realtor and former educator from Sioux Falls, is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor pic.twitter.com/lEUBB5PC61

— Joe Sneve (@Argus_Joe) February 1, 2022

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.

Read it here.

So, are Democrats going to set up an announcement shindig for Barry Hulse as well?

John Thune is posting good fundraising numbers for the 4th quarter of 2021. Stick a fork in his opponents. Those taters are just plain done:

John Thune 4q 2021 FEC by Pat Powers on Scribd

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.)

His opponents can read it and weep. They’re done.