I got caught behind a funeral procession on the way over, making me tremendously late, but Attorney General Marty Jackley was still working the crowd over at Nick’s Hamburgers when I arrived for his campaign’s final tour through Brookings before tomorrow’s primary election:

I’ll be over at the Noem campaign stop this evening too.

Apparently (and oddly) one of the South Dakota Gun Owner related groups hit the District 24 primary against the incumbents, and in favor of the gal who switched parties from Democrat to Republican in order to run as a Republican for the State House.

And according to facebook, Duvall & Rounds are addressing the false postcard, which also misspelled Duvall’s name:

An old pro in campaigns said something to me on the 1980 Senate campaign: “After Sunday night, nothing a campaign says makes any difference. Minds are made up. The only focus left is Get Out The Vote. Nowwe just thank our supporters and motivate our volunteers to GOTV.” I think that is true for one reason: “What really can one say that will be new to the debate?”

So, for the next 30+ hours we are on the final stretch and will soon know who our Governor, US Rep. & legislative nominees will be. So, I’m interested for what hit for you during the campaigns. Good, bad, the ugly. Just so you know, if you are answering to try to sell a particular candidate, I will delete the comment. Selling is over. Its time to begin the evaluation period before we have results so we have a base upon which to judge against.

Why you went one way or another? Did you change your mind and why? What was your candidate’s biggest error (especially unforced)? What was the biggest decision point for you? What do you think is the biggest decision point in the campaign? I have my personal answers to these but I don’t want to answer to derail your thoughts. I’ll answer before the polls close for sure.

It’s a pretty open thread so long you aren’t trying to litigate the campaign. It’s over but we don’t know the results. I want to begin an analysis of what happened for you and globally. Thanks for playing.

Pro-Life Leaders Fact Check Defamatory Noem Mailer

SIOUX FALLS, SD: Two prominent pro-life leaders are speaking up after Congresswoman Kristi Noem sent a desperate mailer that attempts to discredit Attorney General Marty Jackley’s proven pro-life record.

“Marty Jackley has litigated the most successful pro-life lawsuits ever litigated by any state in the history of our country,” said Dr. Patti Giebink. “As a result of the two lawsuits litigated by Marty Jackley, including the one that is on-going, South Dakota has established important pro-life precedent that has gained national attention.”

“The misleading statement made by the Noem campaign that the Attorney General did not pursue the 72 wait period is false. The 72 hour wait period – the strictest in the nation – has been in effect for a number of years. It is enforced precisely because of the case that the Attorney General is litigating. Because of that litigation, 15% of the pregnant mothers who go to Planned Parenthood for an initial session do not return for an abortion—in contrast to the past when women were herded through the clinic before they could change their minds.

“As to the claims that Attorney General Jackley has not enforced the law against Planned Parenthood’s failure to properly disclose that ‘an abortion terminates the life of a whole, separate,unique, living human being,’ it was Attorney General Marty Jackley who successfully completed the landmark litigation that upheld that precise South Dakota statutory requirement as constitutional. As to the current legal action taken by Attorney General Jackley because of Planned Parenthood’s failure to comply with the court order, it is an issue being litigated in the current lawsuit against Planned Parenthood. The experts of the state and intervenors have addressed it at great length. There is no need for a second lawsuit which is both undesirable and counterproductive.

“I supported Kriti Noem for Congress, but her campaign’s false and misleading statements about Attorney General Marty Jackley’s superb pro-life record is beneath her and must be corrected,” Giebink said.

Alpha Center leader and long-time pro-life champion Leslee Unruh also rebuked Noem’s attack on Jackley’s record on protecting life.

“We at Alpha Center, and our attorneys, working side by side with the Attorney General’s office have had the privilege to witness Attorney General Marty Jackley’s commitment and devotion to the pro-life cause. South Dakota has passed some of the strictest laws protecting the children of our state and protecting the pregnant mothers against uninformed and involuntary abortion, when pregnant mothers prefer to keep their children,” Unruh said.

“As a result, South Dakota has established important precedent in this area of the law which has gained national notice. Attorney General Jackley has continued to litigate and succeed in these complex issues in current litigation. We at Alpha Center, who have dedicated our lives to protecting the children and the true rights of their mothers, know that Attorney General Jackley is as fervently committed to those issues to the complete extent any public servant can be.

“As one who has devoted her life to protecting children and pregnant mothers against abortion and the unwelcomed pressure of others upon these mothers, I am most impressed with Attorney General Jackley’s devotion to pro-life issues, and his unique competence in those matters,” Unruh said.

Jackley Shreds “Clean” Campaign Pledge, Doubles Down on False Attacks Against Noem

Again violating his “clean” campaign pledge, Marty Jackley doubles down on his false attacks against Noem in his latest negative ad.

CHECK THE RECORD: Kristi Noem pushed for passage of a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

• Kristi Noem’s office budget has fallen 17 percent since she took office. Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s budget has grown 44.3% during Marty Jackley’s tenure, costing taxpayers $8+ million more today than when Jackley first took office.

CHECK THE RECORD: Kristi Noem got more than $6 trillion of spending cuts passed through the House.

• Pierre Capital Journal: Some highlights of Noem’s tenure in office include: “Congress’s cutting of discretionary spending for the past two years, the House passage of a budget every year and her voting in favor of $6 trillion in spending cuts.”

CHECK THE RECORD: In addition to gutting Obamacare through tax reform, Kristi Noem pushed a full repeal of Obamacare through the House, relentlessly pushing 50+ repeals or delays in the years prior.

• Washington Post: The House has voted 54 times in four years on Obamacare

• Argus Leader: Noem votes to repeal, replace Obamacare

• The Hill: Congress repeals ObamaCare mandate, fulfilling longtime GOP goal

In the last couple of weeks, a Political Action Committee was apparently formed and has gone on the hard attack against State Senator Lance Russell over the airwaves. The Political Action Committee “Committee for Responsible Government PAC” is helmed by Jim Sword of Hot Springs, as per the filing made on 5/22:

Sword and Russell have been at odds for some years now… And apparently the feud is probably not abating anytime soon if the following ads are any indication:

They’re not pulling any punches in these ads. And if you look at who is paying for them, it’s not surprising.  $500 was put into the committee shortly after formation by Steve Simunek of Hot Springs.

Simunek was prosecuted by Russell when he was State’s Attorney for misdemeanor charges of failure to file sales tax returns or pay sales tax in charges involving the Hot Springs Golf Course, a case that divided the community, and which also brought complaints against Russell for his handling of the matter.

Another familiar entity also kicked even more cash into this PAC:

All South Dakota PAC might be unfamiliar to some if they haven’t been around for a while. But if you are, you know it’s one of Stan Adelstein’s entities he runs campaign related cash through..

Last election Senator Phil Jensen was a target of Stan Adelstein’s attack ad efforts, and this election it appears that Lance Russell gets that privilege.

The elections don’t really seem to be getting kindler and gentler as we approach election day on Tuesday, are they?

Stay tuned. We’re almost there!

South Dakota is the Best Place to Be
By Sen. John Thune

In politics, a lot of the attention is often on Washington, D.C., but as your U.S. senator, I’ve always believed that some of my most important work happens when I’m home in South Dakota with you. And while I’m fortunate to have the most talented and dedicated public servants that exist working in my South Dakota and Washington offices, there’s no advisor’s opinion that I value more than yours.

It’s why after a long week in Washington, I’m always eager to get home and hit the road. Along the way, I really enjoy meeting new people and seeing old friends. It keeps me energized and focused on my top priority, which is delivering for the people of South Dakota.

On a recent trip around the state, I attended Memorial Day services at the Black Hills National Cemetery (BHNC) near Sturgis. Being there, surrounded by America’s war heroes, gave greater context to what it means to serve and sacrifice. These men and women deserve a place like the BHNC, and by recently sending a bill to the president that will nearly double the cemetery’s size, I was glad to have played a small role in ensuring its legacy will live on for generations to come.

While I was home, I also had the chance to connect with the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce’s Agribusiness Committee to discuss the farm bill. The current bill expires this fall, and it’s one of my top priorities to see that a pro-agriculture farm bill lands on the president’s desk as soon as possible. I’ve introduced nearly a dozen farm bill-related bills over the last 15 months, and I’m working hard to ensure as many of them as possible are included in the final bill.

I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to stop by the annual Boys State and Girls State programs in Aberdeen and Vermillion, which is why I was glad to have been invited to attend again this year. It’s so refreshing to see the next generation of leaders hard at work, eager to learn and lay the groundwork for their future. I can say with confidence, the future of South Dakota is bright, and it’s in good hands.

It’s always nice to see firsthand the positive effect that policies coming out of Washington have on South Dakotans. For example, Elk Point’s AaLadin Industries, which I recently had the opportunity to visit, is passing along expanded benefits, including bonuses and wage increases, to its employees as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which I helped write. More than 1 million jobs have already been created nationwide in the few short months since this new pro-growth bill became law, a milestone that delivers on a promise Republicans made to the American people.

I closed out my latest trip around South Dakota with Commissioner Brendan Carr of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). He joined me for the ribbon cutting at the new Sioux Falls Tower and Communications office. I appreciate the work Commissioner Carr does at the FCC, under which the Commerce Committee – the committee I chair in Washington – has jurisdiction. The FCC will play a large role in implementing my MOBILE NOW Act, which was signed into law in March 2018 and will help set the stage for the next generation in mobile broadband technology.

To everyone throughout the state who continues to share their advice and ideas with me, I can’t say this enough: Thank you. I couldn’t do my job without you, and I’m continually humbled by your kindness, generosity, and hard work. There’s no question that South Dakota is the best place to live, work, and raise a family, and I’ve never been more certain of it.

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Updating South Dakota’s Water Infrastructure
By U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)

Fresh water is one of our most precious natural resources. We rely on it for everything from powering our homes and businesses, to drinking, showering and washing our cars, to boating, fishing and other recreation. In South Dakota, we also rely on the Missouri River to generate hydroelectricity, run our irrigation systems and more.

I serve on the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), which has jurisdiction over America’s water infrastructure. When we think of the word “infrastructure,” we often focus on bridges and roads, but water infrastructure—such as dams, wastewater facilities and rural water systems—is critically important to our way of life in South Dakota.

Our committee recently passed comprehensive legislation to update and maintain water infrastructure systems such as dams and levees across the U.S. By strengthening the dams and levees used to manage our nations’ rivers, we’re taking steps toward protecting the lives and property of those downstream by reducing flood risks. The bill also includes language to upgrade aging drinking and wastewater systems and increase water storage to make sure everyone has access to safe, clean water.

Since taking office, I have been working to make sure the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is doing all they can to properly manage the Missouri River to avoid a flood like what we experienced in 2011. I was happy that a number of my priorities related to the Army Corps were included in the water infrastructure bill that passed out of the EPW Committee. It prioritizes the implementation of the Upper Missouri River Basin snowpack monitoring system that I’ve been calling for, which will help mitigate the possibility of a major flood event for those living or working along the Missouri River.

It also includes a provision for the Army Corps of Engineers to carry out a project for shoreline stabilization on the Lower Brule Reservation. This much-needed project will help fix erosion that is threatening the entire community in Lower Brule and the surrounding environment. The bill holds the Army Corps financially accountable if it fails to complete studies or reports that are called for in the legislation within a set period of time.

We also worked directly with EPW Committee Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) to secure a verbal commitment toward addressing an Obama-era proposal known as the “surplus water rule.” This proposed rule could restrict South Dakotans’ access to water in Army Corps-controlled land. South Dakotans are legally entitled to use the water, so providing relief from this rule is necessary.

Our bipartisan legislation makes an important investment into the future of America’s water infrastructure, and by extension the livelihoods of South Dakota families and businesses. I look forward to bringing it to the Senate floor soon.

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From Great Faces to Great Places
By Rep. Kristi Noem

Over Memorial Day weekend, I had the opportunity to show President Trump’s Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke our state – and not only the stunning landscapes, but the rich history we celebrate. Nowhere were those two ideas more present than at the Black Hills National Cemetery Memorial Day Service.

Tucked in the hills near Sturgis, the Black Hills National Cemetery commemorates the lives of South Dakota veterans and their service to our country. Each Memorial Day, hundreds join together to honor those buried there. It’s a pretty special moment.

To continue serving veterans here in the years to come, President Trump signed legislation I worked on to expand the cemetery by 200 acres – a testament to the number of patriotic veterans that call South Dakota home.

The men and women buried here gave of themselves to serve our nation, a value that’s rooted deep in South Dakota’s heritage, including at the Minuteman Missile Site near Philip, which Secretary Zinke and I also visited.

Throughout the Cold War, the United States relied on this site to keep roughly 1,000 missiles on constant alert. While some remain today, the site has been designated as a National Historic Site, providing a physical reminder of the value found in peace through strength.

Of course, one of South Dakota’s most iconic sites is Mount Rushmore, which stands as an icon of liberty around the world. These great faces attract millions of visitors a year and contribute to South Dakota’s robust tourism industry.

From hiking to hunting, tourism helps drive South Dakota’s economy. In fact, one in 11 South Dakota jobs are directly generated by tourism. The industry also infuses nearly $2 billion into the state’s economy annually. It’s an important element of our economy that we must fight to maintain.

Over the years, I’ve worked to repeal regulations that make things difficult for South Dakota tourism to thrive. When Secretary Zinke was in the state, he and I were able to announce a new executive order from President Trump that rolls back Obama-era regulations on outfitters and guides. Regulations like the ones Obama implemented are cost prohibitive for businesses and have prevented visitors from fully enjoying all that South Dakota has to offer. I’m grateful President Trump and Secretary Zinke were willing to listen to South Dakota and give folks a break from these unnecessary burdens.

There’s something for everyone to enjoy in South Dakota. From our great faces to great places like the Badlands, the Corn Palace, and the childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder, I hope you take the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of our state this summer.

Some Environmental Markers
A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard:

Growing up on a farm, my sisters and I were raised to leave things better than we found them. This meant taking care of the land, planting trees, maintaining our barn and treating the animals well. We learned in order to enjoy something tomorrow we have to take care of it today.

Judging by the state of our environment, I’d bet a lot of South Dakotans were raised the same way. We’re fortunate to live in a place where we enjoy clean air and safe drinking water, and where we’re able to take advantage of renewables.

If you’ve ever visited other countries or large metro areas in the U.S., it’s pretty clear that South Dakota’s air is relatively clean. In fact, we have one of the best clean air records in the nation. South Dakota meets all EPA air quality standards all across the state. Since the federal standards were first established under the Clean Air Act of 1970, South Dakota is one of just five states in the country that has never had a “nonattainment area” – an area where standards are not met. As another indicator, the American Lung Association rates the Black Hills region among its first place winners for cleanest metro areas in the country for ozone.

South Dakota also has a stellar record when it comes to drinking water. Our state’s drinking water program is one of only a few in the nation to be implementing all of the EPA’s drinking water standards. Additionally, our community water systems have surpassed the EPA’s goal of having 95 percent of regulated systems meet all health-based standards for each year, with 98.9 percent of our systems attaining that goal.

And we’re a state that utilizes renewable energy. On average, over 30 percent of South Dakota’s power generation comes from wind power. In fact, if you add hydropower generated in South Dakota, we generate over 70 percent of our power from renewables. Our state is also a top producer of ethanol, and in state government, we are using E-10, E-30 and E-85 to power our state fleet.

Can South Dakota improve? Yes. We need to do more to improve our surface water quality. But we can still be proud of our air and drinking water.

Linda and I built our home on the farm where I was raised, and once we’re done serving as governor and first lady, we’ll return there. The farm remains nice to this day, with many trees. I’ve got some deferred maintenance to address, but thanks to many years of good stewardship, it’s a place Linda and I will be able to enjoy well into the future. I’m grateful that through the efforts of generations of conscientious South Dakotans, the same can be said of our air and drinking water.

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