Always wonderful when you wake up to the images being gone from your website, as my image host seems to be down at the moment.

Sorry for any momentary site weirdness, as I’m sure they’re working to being it back up.

How soon we forget that the State Senate was a crazier place not all that long ago.

But then we’re reminded when things bubble to the surface, and in this case former State Senator Lynne/Lyndi/I can’t keep track DiSanto hits the road, slaps some face filters on, and declares she isn’t interested in any “libtards.”

@allamericanlyndiNice to meet you!!! Let’s be friends! ##viral ##follow ##conservative ##maga ##republican ##dogs♬ SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY Remix (feat. Kali Uchis and Moliy) – Amaarae & Kali Uchis

TikTok declares that “The action in this video could result in serious injury.”

After her last go around, I don’t think we need to worry about her trying to come back.

At least, we can hope.

Governor Kristi Noem Announces Re-Election Campaign
Governor Noem has more than $10M total raised and over $6.5M cash on hand upon the announcement

Pierre, SD – Today, Governor Kristi Noem formally announced her campaign to serve a second term as Governor of South Dakota. Governor Noem heads into the campaign with over $10 million raised since her last election.  Her campaign has more than $6.5 million cash on hand between all campaign accounts.

In making the announcement, Governor Noem released the following video:

Continuing, Governor Noem released the following statement today:

“I was humbled and honored three years ago when the people of South Dakota put their trust in me to lead our state as Governor.

We have been through challenging times but have also accomplished great things together. We’ve embraced fiscal responsibility, protected the freedoms of our people, fought federal government intrusions and invested in the next generation through education, healthcare, expanding broadband, and providing new career opportunities so our children can stay in South Dakota.

We have the best economy in the nation as well as the best people and quality of life.  There is so much more we can do together – I will never forget the South Dakota motto ‘Under God the People Rule.’ My administration has embraced this pledge, and it has led to success for our state.

My family and I ask for your support as we announce today that I will be running for re-election as Governor of this great state. South Dakota’s best days are still ahead.”

Leading Governor Noem’s campaign will be Joe Desilets as Campaign Manager, Chris Hupke as Deputy Campaign Manager, Kennedy Noem as Finance Director and Madison Sheahan as Operations Director.

For more information, visit www.KristiNoem.com

Direct link to video: https://youtu.be/IAb-xvAXD48

A little goes a long way during this Season of Giving
By Governor Kristi Noem
November 12, 2021

The season of giving is here and there are numerous organizations that South Dakotans support in their communities. Food pantries, shelters for women and children, clothing drives, and toy drives are all causes that fill our hearts while helping those less fortunate, especially during the holiday season.

As kids, we are taught that our purpose in life is to serve others.  We know that giving someone a meal serves an immediate need, but that food may only go so far in helping our neighbors face other challenges in their lives. We also know that giving of our time to support local organizations should go beyond seasonal solutions when helping to lift people out of their struggles.

There are many organizations throughout our state that operate year-round to provide services to meet both short-term and long-term needs in our communities. These organizations are grateful for our financial support for their missions; however, perhaps we should all go beyond financial donations. For those who want to give the gift of service and time, there are many opportunities for giving this holiday season.

For most of us time is limited because of how much we pack into our daily schedules. This makes time a gift that we all cherish.  When you give of your time, think about how that can positively impact someone who is struggling with working and raising a family on their own.  Compassion Child Care is a group that strengthens working families through affordable daycare, housing solutions, and options for early childhood education. This organization serves many homeless single moms who are working and struggling to provide for their children.

Consider giving your time as a house manager for Compassion Child Care’s housing program and encouraging the young families who this group supports. Also, volunteering at their daycare program gives these working moms an affordable option so they can work during the day to support their families.

You may want to help others by mentoring them or preparing them for their next career or job. Love INC is an organization that coordinates volunteers for more than 60 churches in Rapid City and the surrounding area. These volunteers mentor individuals and families who are in need of shelter, housing, training, and guidance to get back on their feet. This also includes training them for financial independence and teaching interview skills for job seekers.

You can also serve others by using your skills to help head up an organization or teach leadership skills to those who have never had the opportunity to step into a leadership role.  Our young people are looking for leaders to follow.  Social media is so attractive to the younger generation and it offers access to a variety of personalities who can fill those leadership roles. We know real leadership comes from a tangible connection. Groups like the Aberdeen Boys and Girls Club, Teen Challenge, and the McCrossan Boys Ranch are taking kids away from their devices and teaching them to develop skills and seek positive mentorship. There is also the OneHeart group that is teaching young adults life skills after overcoming addiction. You could be the one who gives your neighbor a second chance at life.

There are myriad ways to help others rather than just contributing funds or resources. I know that however you choose to give back this season and beyond, it will make South Dakota a better place. No matter the season, we are a reflection of our values, and I hope you’ll join me in ensuring our South Dakota values will always be rooted in serving others.

###

State Representative Drew Dennert who is credited (blamed) with being the architect of the State House of Representative’s redistricting plans, which culminated in the unsuccessful “Grouse” maps took to Facebook yesterday to throw rocks at the negotiated legislative redistricting map worked out between the House and the Senate, referred to as the “Sparrow” Map.

This process was about gamesmanship as much as it was anything. The Senate strategy was to hold strong, willing to negotiate, but more than willing to let it go to the Supreme Court, because they believed their map was that much better than what the House had.

The House never in the process acted with that level of conviction, and seemed somewhat divided, possibly coming as a result of poor communication of their goals and map.  Literally, I had House members call me and ask if I’d seen a map, because it hadn’t been shared with them until much later.

Moving into the finish line, the Senate hung strong. On the final day a group of House members led by State Representative and Congressional Candidate Taffy Howard proposed that the sparrow map painfully negotiated by House and Senate Leaders be thrown out, and they could just start all over. She said they could even go home, and come back if they had to.

Start Over? Come back? Not the thing to say after three days of 2 painful special sessions, as well as services for a former Governor, and the majority leader has to be taken out on a stretcher. It was a ridiculous proposal, and only the most intractable in the House went for it.

Thankfully, there were those in the House whose better angels recognized that change is inevitable, and as much as they want to keep it the same, there’s a reason we do this process every decade.

If this kind of rock throwing after the fact from Representative Dennert is the fruit of Dennert’s labors this week, it seems to be a lot of sour grapes. Dennert’s whining over the measure should ring hollow, as had the group of House members not dug in their heels, there would not have had to be concessions in the successful proposals to get House Democrats to sign off.  Literally, they put the GOP Caucus in a weaker negotiating position.

And it’s even more disingenuous, because he was the primary architect for the House effort. Dennert was given the golden opportunity to chart the course for the next decade. And what he offered wasn’t progress. It was an attempt to stand still as the best as he could justify.

As the House’s champion of redistricting, in this heroic epic, he had the chance to come out of it looking like Luke Skywalker. Instead, he’s JarJar Binks.

SOUTH DAKOTA REPUBLICAN PARTY HOSTING CAMPAIGN SCHOOL FOR PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES AND CAMPAIGN WORKERS

Now that Legislative redistricting is complete, and with fewer than 60 days until petitions start circulating for political offices, the South Dakota GOP is active in not just recruiting Republican candidates for office, but in helping them equip them with the right tools as they prepare to run.

The South Dakota Republican Party is hosting a Campaign School put on by the Leadership Institute in Sioux Falls on Saturday, November 20th, 2021 from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM at the Military Heritage Alliance, 1600 W Russell Street.

Republican Party Chairman Dan Lederman noted this is the third or fourth time the group has worked with candidates on behalf of the party. “The GOP Candidate school focuses on preparing Republicans for service as elected officials and community leaders. Ideal attendees for the workshop are Republican party members who are looking to become more politically active, including candidates and campaign staff. Curriculum will include forming a campaign plan, running an effective communications strategy and fundraising to achieve victory.”

“The Republican Party recognizes that 2022 is going to be a competitive year with new legislative districts, so the time for candidates to build a good foundation for their campaigns is now,” Lederman said.

You can sign up for the Candidate Workshop here, and the cost for the workshop is $20 which includes lunch.

Governor Noem has signed the Sparrow map into law.

— Ian Fury (@IanTFury) November 10, 2021

“Other guy,” a.k.a. Patrick Schubert Jr., a previously announced candidate against Senator Thune filed his paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission today for his entrance into the contest for US Senate:

Patrick Schubert FEC Filing by Pat Powers on Scribd

Not sure how much farther he’s going to get beyond filing paperwork, but here it is for your review.

In the new District 3 map, there’s an interesting consequence of making the city whole as whole can be.

Based on their current home residences, State Rep Drew Dennert, State Rep Carl Perry, and State Rep Kaleb Weis are on a collision course to all face off against each other for two legislative seats.

Despite immense temptation to offer a comment, I should probably just leave it at that.

District 16 was one of the areas for redistricting where there was intense pushback from serving legislators in both the House and the Senate for the area. Why? Because it has the potential for a large primary from several players who want to be in Pierre.

Senator Jim Bolin represents the area in the Senate, as does State Rep Kevin Jensen in the House. State Rep Dave Anderson is termed out of the House, which means his only path forward – if he chooses to run – would be in the Senate.

Republican Karla Lems – who played a part in the formation of the anti-Thune “Primary John Thune” group earlier this year – announced her intention to run for District 16 House at the Lincoln County GOP Dinner.  But not so fast – with the reconfiguration District 17’s State Rep Richard Vasgaard shifts from his current District to the one North of him and now occupies that formerly vacated seat, making 2 incumbents in the House, and setting up a Primary.

But that’s not all!

Former State Rep. Nancy Rasmussen was also said to be looking to come back, and now she’s in District 16 too! With a very full House, and a 3-way House primary and an occupied Senate Seat, where someone might look to pick off Bolin.

That’s all assuming there’s no one else who jumps in to run in the primary.