Governor Kristi Noem’s weekly column: Keeping South Dakota Free

Pat Powers

Keeping South Dakota Free
By: Gov. Kristi Noem
November 8, 2024

Just a few days ago, America went to the polls to vote. People in counties, towns & cities, and states across the nation made decisions about what they want their communities to look like moving forward.

As a nation, we chose to send President Donald J. Trump back to the White House. On the night of Election Day, I was with President Trump as the results came in. I actually watched his victory speech with North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, our neighbor. He and I agree – our states are very happy to welcome President Trump back.

South Dakota made some decisions for our state, as well.

South Dakotans also voted on a wide range of ballot measures, voting most of them down. My takeaway from that trend is that our people love our state and don’t want to see widescale change – and I agree with them!

For example, South Dakotans voted to keep primary elections the way that they’ve always been. They didn’t want radical California-style elections. Republicans should choose Republican candidates – and Democrats should choose Democrat candidates.

The people also voted for LIFE. In fact, our state has the highest birth rate in the nation – and I believe this is because our people have hope. Earlier this year, I proclaimed 2024 as “Freedom for Life Year” in South Dakota, but that commitment doesn’t end when the calendar turns to 2025. South Dakota will continue to take care of moms and their babies both before birth and after.

Our citizens also rejected legalizing recreational marijuana – again. I’ve never met anyone who got smarter by smoking dope, and I’m glad that our state won’t have to deal with the public safety and mental health challenges that so many states are facing as a result of legal marijuana.

Our people also rejected IM 28. Now, I support eliminating the grocery tax, and the people of South Dakota also support lower taxes, but they seemed to understand that this particular measure was terribly written and would have many unintended consequences. I appreciate their wisdom and discernment.

One ballot measure did pass, and I’m glad that it did. Amendment F puts in place work requirements to qualify for Medicaid Expansion. That’s common sense – you should work to qualify for these benefits.

Our people elected legislators – some new, some who have been here for quite some time. I wish them all the best and look forward to working with them in the upcoming legislative session on behalf of the people of South Dakota.

You all blessed me with the greatest job in the world, and it is my true honor to serve you. Together, we’ve built the greatest state in America – a beacon of Freedom to the rest of the nation. Thank you for voting to keep our state strong and Free. God bless you all!

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Senate Caucus Elections happening tonight.. Mehlhaff Majority Leader.. Karr President Pro Tempore. Perry Assistant Majority Leader.

@SoDakCampaigns

Senate Caucus elections are happening right now…  Senator Jim Mehlhaff was just selected as Senate Majority Leader… and Karr won the vote for Senate President Pro Tempore.

First round for Assistant Majority Leader between Helene Duhamel and Carl Perry ended in a tie. And Perry won in Round 2. How did these Senators look at them and decide “I want the one who went to the crazy rally in Sioux Falls?”

Watch for more updates, as more caucus election info leaks comes out.

MORE:

Whip candidates are Sue Peterson, Randy Deibert, Kevin Jensen, Steph Sauder, Sydney Davis, California Carley, and that idiot Tom Pischke.

And with the final vote, Whips are Sue Peterson, Kevin Jensen, Randy Deibert, and that idiot Tom Pischke.  How does Tom Pischke go from being kicked out of caucus for trying to have just about all of the Senate arrested to being a whip?

Many are ok, but there are a few inmates now leading the asylum.

House of Representatives GOP Caucus votes in hard-right leadership for next session.

@SoDakCampaigns

Hearing early rumors that the House of Representatives took a hard right turn at today’s caucus elections, with Jon Hansen as Speaker, Karla Lems as Speaker Pro Tem, Scott Odenbach as Majority Leader, and Marty Overweg as Assistant Majority Leader.

I’m waiting for more info as it comes out. It sounds as if there was a “caucus before the caucus” to influence how some GOP House members should vote.

At the very least, this next session will provide those who cover politics in South Dakota plenty to write about.

(7pm.. they’re just starting to vote on whips).

Hearing that whips are Soye, Jamison, Les Heinemann and Jessica Bahmuller. And Brandei Schefbauer picked up the last spot.

And there you go.

Ezra Hays of No on H campaign announcing his run for SDGOP Chair.

@SoDakCampaigns

Meade County Republican Ezra Hayes, who ran the “No on H” campaign sent out a text blast a short time ago announcing his intention to run for Chair of the South Dakota Republican Party:

The ballot measure group he led raised around $71,500 from individuals, but $50,000 of that came from a single source, James Koehler of Aberdeen, along with nearly another 10k coming from his vice chair, Juliann Perrigo Talkington. So, in reality, except for those two people, over the course of 4 months, he raised about $12K from individuals.

Vote_No_OnH by Pat Powers on Scribd

Even though the measure was the sole ballot measure officially opposed by the Republican Party, only 8 County Republican organizations supported the effort monetarily.

Of particular interest to the rank and file of the GOP was that Hays had the support of former Minnehaha County GOP Chair/former NDGOP Exec. Director Dave Roetman, who had donated to No on H both personally and from his Ripple Effect PAC.

I had heard from early on rumors to the effect that Ezra had Roetman involved behind the scenes in the No on H campaign. Which might mean that Hays could bring Roetman in to fill the SDGOP’s Executive Director role if he were to win the chairmanship of the party in early 2025.

I’m sure that will all go well. 

Keep watching the sky for jet contrails.. I’m sure we’ll have lots more to talk about in the coming days and weeks.

I wonder if the election conspiracists are sorry they asked that question?

@SoDakCampaigns

Yesterday, one of South Dakota’s attorneys were noting the situation they observed over at the Minnehaha County Auditor’s office, regarding Leah Anderson’s mess and offered some gentle comments about it.

Of course, the election wackos challenged it, because Leah Anderson is their girl, and they made the mistake of asking South Dakota lobbyist Drew Duncan what he knows about elections?

As anyone who has been in politics more than 45 minutes is aware, this former member of the South Dakota State Board of Elections actually knows quite a bit:

I’m guessing it didn’t go for SD Canvassing the way they thought it would..

Johnson Congratulates President Trump

@SoDakCampaigns

Johnson Congratulates President Trump

 Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) released the following statement:

“Congratulations to President Donald Trump on his return to the White House. I’m excited for an opportunity to secure the border, grow our economy, and improve the lives of South Dakotans. It’s time to leave behind the burdensome policies of the Biden Administration. I look forward to partnering with Trump and Congress to get America back on track. Let’s get to work.”

If Governor Noem goes to Washington… who will be the new Lt.?

@SoDakCampaigns

There’s massive speculation this morning what Governor Kristi Noem is going to do with President Trump once again becoming President-elect Trump, since she has been a close associate of his.

Will Kristi go to Washington with the new administration?  And if so, with the likable Lt Governor Larry Rhoden slated to move into that position if she departs, it brings up a question of “who would he pick to serve in his position as his own Lt. Governor and preside over the State Senate?”

Anyone care to offer a suggestion?

*Update* 

Here’s the provision that would be used – and that new Lt. Gov would be voted on by BOTH houses of the Legislature.

 § 6.   Succession of executive power. When the office of Governor shall become vacant through death, resignation, failure to qualify, conviction after impeachment or permanent disability of the Governor, the lieutenant governor shall succeed to the office and powers of the Governor. When the Governor is unable to serve by reason of continuous absence from the state, or other temporary disability, the executive power shall devolve upon the lieutenant governor for the residue of the term or until the disability is removed.

     Whenever there is a permanent vacancy in the office of the lieutenant governor, the Governor shall nominate a lieutenant governor who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of all the members of each house of the Legislature. Whenever there is a concurrent vacancy in the office of Governor and lieutenant governor, the order of succession for the office of Governor shall be as provided by law.
     The Supreme Court shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction to determine when a continuous absence from the state or disability has occurred in the office of the Governor or a permanent vacancy exists in the office of lieutenant governor.
A little more interesting, don’t you think?