Someone went around last night stuffing the ‘smear sheets’ (as Anne Beal termed them) from Chip Campbell’s sketchy PAC under doors.

Apparently, our room only needed three of them.

Larry Rhoden is now prepared to be Lt Governor. Forthcoming nomination? Check.

Matt Michels style facial accessory? Check.

The Chip Campbell PAC which took 10,000 from a sketchy Washington DC Group To influence party committeeman and committeewoman races, and also funded the Laura Kaiser endorsement mailing for Lance Russell just sent out a negative email blast attacking Attorney General candidate Jason Ravnsborg:

They certainly seem to be pulling out all the stops in order to influence the Attorney General’s race.

At this point, I think delegates are numb to the constant stream of negative. They’re ready to go have a beer or an ice cream cone in the hospitality suites, as opposed to reading negative screeds.

The Fitzgerald campaign has been playing hardball since last night circulating negative flyers attacking AG opponent Jason Ravnsborg..

But since the Russell/Fitzgerald poolside meeting late this afternoon with Russell flanked by Zack Lautenschlager, and Fitzgerald attended by John Teupel, it seems the West River candidiates are joining forces as the two AG candidates team up to try to take out their opponent:

After months of joint appearances, the two candidates apparently were demanding…. another joint appearance!

(As I’m writing this, Zach Lautenschlager is dropping copies on tables. I seem to recall this not working well for him before.)

At this late hour, I’m not sure how Ravnsborg getting drawn into the other guy’s game benefits anyone but them.

They can complain, but I don’t think it’s a tactic showing any strength or moving any votes. They might as well issue ‘a clean campaign pledge’ at this point.

The vote is tomorrow. The time for hastily assembled gimmicks is over.

The game of thrones continues.

A source tells me that 5PM has come and passed, and no Senate race withdrawal papers were filed with the Secretary of State from shameless self-promoter Senator Stace Nelson.

So.. I guess that means there will not be a Lt. Gov challenge looming tomorrow, since the Secretary of State announced that a withdrawl was required prior to running for a constitutional office.

We shall see.

Senator and former Governor Rounds speaks with former Governor Frank Farrar.

Hot off the press.. District 30 State Senate candidate Lance Russell has withdrawn from the Senate race in anticipation of running for AG tomorrow, so he’s all in.

The Game of Thrones is afoot!

This is an interesting meeting going on in the pool area with 2 of the 3 Republican Attorney General candidates. Lance Russell, Zach Lautenschlager, John Fitzgerald and John Teupel all having a meeting about 4 pm today.

Is there an alliance brewing?