Brian Bengs is not your traditional Democrat running for US Senate, and you could arguably say the same about the politics he advocates for.

I was looking for some info for another article I’m working on, and came across this article in the Aberdeen American News about Bengs, who plans to mount a campaign against John Thune.

And I’m not entirely sure how his politics are going to sell in tax-averse South Dakota:

His plan would exempt people from federal income tax if they make up to four times the median income. In South Dakota, that’s $124,000. That means, he said, with income verification, no taxes need to be filed, but also no tax refunds.

and..

The goal, he said, is to shift the tax burden to the states, which then create their own systems.

and..

Bengs said one program he would advocate cutting would be federally subsidized flood insurance..

Read it here.

So, Bengs’ plan is that he wants more state taxes?  Hmm. If memory serves, who was the last person who advocated for that?  That would be Senator Thune’s last opponent, Jay Williams!

“Instead of looking for spending cuts, we must look for ways to increase tax revenue. Look at yourself, if you have property, ask for property taxes to be raised. If you have income, lobby for a state income tax. If you buy lots of things, go for a sales tax.”

Read that here.

I think I have an inkling how this campaign is going to go.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, November 29, 2021 

COURT HALTS BIDEN ADMINISTRATION’S HEALTHCARE WORKER VACCINE MANDATE FOLLOWING LAWSUIT FROM 10 STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL COALITION 

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg announced today that a Missouri federal court granted South Dakota’s request for an injunction on the Biden Administration’s vaccine mandate for healthcare workers. Earlier this month, South Dakota joined a coalition of ten states challenging the mandate. In addition to South Dakota, the coalition includes Missouri, Nebraska, Arkansas, Kansas, Iowa, Wyoming, Alaska, North Dakota, and New Hampshire. 

In the ruling U.S. District Judge Matthew Schelp writes that “the court cannot, in good faith, allow CMS to enact an unprecedented mandate that lacks a ‘rational connection between the facts found and the choice made.’” 

“This is a huge victory for healthcare workers in South Dakota, and especially for our rural hospitals and health care professionals who provide such crucial care to so many of our residents,” said Ravnsborg. “This ruling is a big win against this unprecedented federal overreach.” 

The full ruling can be read here. 

-30- 

Guest Column: Be Kind and Shop Locally
By: Tom Rounds
November 29, 2021 

This guest column is written by Tom Rounds. Tom, along with his wife Shelly, own four businesses in the Pierre community. He is also the brother of Senator Mike Rounds.

With Christmas just weeks away, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush of buying gifts. It’s easy to be excited about seeing family and friends.  And it’s easy to forget to be kind to those who are working in the retail, manufacturing or service industries.

As a small business owner, I know firsthand the challenges that come during the holiday season. And this year, our biggest challenge is finding employees. You’ve undoubtedly noticed the help wanted signs in hundreds of businesses across the state. It’s alarming, but what’s even more alarming is when the sign says, “Closed today due to staff shortage.”

Owning a small business is hard. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 20 percent of businesses fail within the first year. By year five, that number jumped to 50 percent. But every year, thousands of South Dakotans embark on the American dream of owning their own business. And every year, these business owners become the new mentors and new donors for our communities.

We all know shopping locally keeps more money in our economy, supports local jobs and is good for our towns. But let’s talk about what else these local businesses do for our communities.

They are the people who serve as the first work mentors for our children. They take a chance on inexperienced teenagers and teach them about responsibility and work ethic. And they give your kids a paycheck so they can begin to learn fiscal responsibility.

Local business owners are the first ones tapped to donate for school functions, sporting events and any other fundraiser you can think of. And most of the time, these businesses give, and they give and they give some more because they know they are supporting their community and their customers.

And then when they aren’t being asked to donate, some business owners take it upon themselves to continue to find ways to help. They might donate 10 percent of their profits to a local family or organization.  Or in the case of one Pierre eating establishment, they donated a portion of their profits to a competing business who had recently lost everything to a fire. If that’s not a sense of community, I don’t know what is.

The other day I saw a sign that said, “Be kind to our employees. We are short staffed and they are doing the best they can.” Let’s face it, the last two years have been tough for local businesses and we need your support now more than ever.

It’s easy to get caught up in the convenience of online shopping or traveling to a bigger town to get what you need. But before you hit send on that next order – especially with all of your holiday shopping coming up – think about your local businesses and the people they employ, the taxes they pay and the products they offer. And don’t forget to be kind.

Via the Secretary of State’s website, new candidates are popping up daily.  And today we have two new candidates who might prove to be the next generation of leaders for the South Dakota Republican Party.

First off (and appropriately first in District 1) Republican Logan Manhart has filed a statement of organization to run for the House of Representatives:

Manhart, a resident of Bath, SD, brings campaign experience from working as a Regional Field Director for the Wisconsin GOP as well as the Wisconsin Trump campaign.

His entrance into the race is particularly interesting, as with three quality candidates in D1 (Rohl, St. John & Manhart), for the first time possibly ever, the GOP could conceivably capture all three seats in what has been a Democrat stronghold for decades.

Also filing a statement of organization and equally experienced in politics comes a new District 2 Candidate who has campaigning ingrained in his DNA:

Republican Jacob or “Jake” Schoenbeck just filed paperwork for the District 2 House of Representatives.

If you’re in South Dakota politics, you know the name, as his father Senate President Pro Tempore Lee Schoenbeck is arguably the state’s most influential legislator in terms of his campaign knowledge and position.

Jake has been alongside his dad on the campaign trail for at least two of his dad’s three runs in Pierre, as well as having matriculated up through the teenage Republicans organization and so on. So if there’s anything he knows how to do, it’s how to campaign. Jacob is currently an Internal Auditor at Plains Commerce Bank.

From my mailbox, Governor Kristi Noem turns 50 next week, and you can sign the card and leave her a message by clicking on the image:

Thankful to Gather
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
November 23, 2021

This Thanksgiving, like so many South Dakotans, I’m looking forward to spending time with my wife and three boys at home. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, not only because of the roasted turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes, but because it brings people together in a spirit of thankfulness and allows me to reflect on what I am truly grateful for.

This year in particular, I am especially thankful for the ability to safely gather again after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s no greater way to celebrate moving past a couple tough years than to connect around a table filled with delicious food and even better company. The events of the last year and a half serve as a reminder to never take these moments for granted.

Since last year, scientists developed a Covid-19 vaccine in record time, allowing much of our lives to go back to normal. Our kids have stayed in school, traveling is safer, our favorite sports teams are playing with fans in the stands, and events have resumed.

I’m also grateful for the opportunity to serve each South Dakotan in the halls of Congress. This job is an honor of a lifetime and I feel immensely privileged to be trusted with this opportunity.

With annual events coming back – like the Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® – be on the lookout for the South Dakota Department of Tourism’s “Mount Rushmore’s American Pride” float. My family watches every year and this year will be no exception.

Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy Thanksgiving.

Ron Moeller Announces for District 31 Senate

Lead, SD – Today, Ron Moeller announced his candidacy to become the next State Senator for District 31.

Ron Moeller made the following statement:

I’m excited to publicly announce my candidacy for the State Senate seat representing District 31. Lawrence County is the finest area of the great state of South Dakota, where the prairie and the northern Black Hills combine to create a wonderful place to live, raise a family, and enjoy life.

For the past 5 months, I have traveled across Lawrence County listening to the voters and their heartfelt concerns. Our current State Senator has been in public service, both local and in the legislature, for as long as anyone can remember. It is time to change to a real conservative who truly and honestly represents to voters of Lawrence County.

We can no longer afford to keep electing the same politicians over and over again and expecting a different result. I bring a fresh set of eyes and energy to the challenges we are facing.

I’m conservative with bedrock principles of faith, family, hard work, integrity, and patriotism.

These principles have guided me throughout my life, both at home and overseas serving our great nation in multiple war zones.

I am looking forward to meeting all the voters, knocking on doors, introducing myself, letting them take my measure, and earning their vote.

If you want to help improve and protect Lawrence County from higher taxes, keeping our schools and streets safe, maintaining a business-friendly environment, and keeping the character of the Northern Hills intact, please consider assisting my campaign.

Here’s how you can join me: First, you can contribute your hard-earned dollars – local financial support helps get my name in front of the voters of District 31. You can also help by discussing my candidacy with your friends and neighbors, hosting a coffee or small event where I’d be happy to speak, and when the time comes, placing a sign in front of your home or business. All forms of support and assistance are welcome.

If you have further questions about me and/or my positions on the issues I believe we’re facing, please visit my website www.friendsofronmoeller.com or email me at friendsofronmoeller@gmail.com .

Thank you for your kind consideration,

Sincerely,
Ron Moeller
Candidate, District 31 Senate

An article from Christopher Vondracek this morning in the Forum News Service/Grand Forks Herald doesn’t exactly paint a bright portrait of how things are progressing in the House Select Committee for Impeachment in the case where they’re attempting to bring action against the Attorney General:

“This is way beyond the scope of anything we’ve done,” said Jensen, who added he was just “trying to figure out how to get things done in a timely manner.”

And..

Moreover, the Legislature’s select committee hasn’t been keeping the most brisk of calendars. After meeting more than two weeks ago, they’ve yet to meet since. On Tuesday, Nov. 23, Gosch told Forum News Service that “likely next week” would be when the team next meets.

And..

On Wednesday, Nov. 24, the committee’s vice-chair, Rep. Mike Stevens, R-Yankton, also said he’d yet to hear a meeting for next week confirmed. Asked if they’d hired the special counsel yet, Stevens said, “You’d have to talk to the speaker about that.”

Read the entire article here.

Considering the AG pled No Contest to minor traffic offenses (a lane change violation and using his phone while driving a few miles before the accident) this whole impeachment business might be a lot more complicated than people think.

2014 South Dakota Democrat Congressional candidate Corinna Robinson is apparently a candidate for Congress again. Except, this time she is running in Florida’s 18th congressional district.

In 2014, Robinson ran as a pro-second amendment Democrat against incumbent Congresswoman Kristi Noem, and lost 66.5% to 33.5%.

Robinson is running for the seat currently held by Republican Congressman Brian Mast, who defeated his last Democrat opponent 56% – 41%.

Gov. Noem Announces Department of Corrections Staffing Changes

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced several staffing changes at the South Dakota Department of Corrections (DOC). Doug Clark, Deputy Secretary of Corrections and Acting Warden of the State Penitentiary, will be the new Interim Secretary of Corrections. Interim Secretary Tim Reisch will be stepping down, effective December 8.

Governor Noem has also appointed Daniel Sullivan to serve as Warden of the South Dakota State Penitentiary, effective December 13.

“We are tremendously grateful to General Reisch for stepping in during a time of great need for DOC. Doug also stepped up and steered the Penitentiary through a challenging period,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “Our top priority continues to be the safety of the men and women who work at our DOC facilities and those who are confined there. Daniel Sullivan will bring fresh eyes and a wealth of experience to our State Penitentiary, and we are glad to have him on the team.”

Daniel recently retired as an associate warden at the Federal Correctional Institution in Sandstone, MN. He has served as a correctional officer, case manager, unit manager, complex case management coordinator, associate warden, and acting warden during his 23-year career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Daniel served nearly 10 years in the United States Navy Reserve, attaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He was mobilized to active duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2006-2007 at Lackland Air Force Base as the Leading Petty Officer at the Naval Corrections Academy.

Daniel has earned multiple degrees in criminal justice, including a Master of Arts degree from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

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