According to the the Rapid City Journal newspaper this morning, as candidates are jockeying for position in the run up to the State GOP Convention, the paper is reporting that the Fitzgerald campaign is getting aggressive against his opponents as battle lines are drawn:
This year’s race has grown competitive in recent weeks as Fitzgerald and his supporters have criticized what they describe as Ravnsborg’s lack of prosecutorial experience and Russell’s 2011 public censure by the state Supreme Court.
Fitzgerald has publicly alleged that Ravnsborg has never tried a case before a jury as a prosecutor. Ravnsborg did not respond to phone and email messages from the Rapid City Journal seeking a response.
As for Russell, his censure by the state Supreme Court is preserved in public documents from 2011.
Hm. Kind of wondering about what Seth Tupper is saying about Fitzgerald and his supporters going after Russell for the public censure. I’d been told he may have testified as a character witness on Lance’s behalf as part of that process.
If he was speaking positively of his character then, I’m not sure why a political campaign should change things? (Yes, that was written in a sardonic tone).
That is what you do when you are in last place ATTACK!
It’s not wise to attack Russell. His supporters aren’t going anywhere.
Let Ravnsborg attack Russell and Stace.
From what I have seen Ravnsborg is trying to stay above the fray and not attacking anyone; he has plenty of ammunition with these 2.
If I were Russell I’d talk to Ravnsborg and work out a deal, get something for AG support and also stay in the senate and then work together.
Isn’t Ravnsborg off serving us in the army right now? So he may not have access,I know when I went to AT (Annual Training for you non-military folks)I know I was cut off from the world it seemed.
The story’s whole premise is not accurate…Seiler has not raised the most money, Ravnsborg has…typical liberal paper falsely favoring the Democrats
and then they slant the story for Seiler when Democrats vote today for their own AG candidate…..bet Means is not happy also and the paper could have a lot of egg on its face by the end of the day.
Fitzgerald campaign is in last place and still struggling as it has been from the beginning. They don’t have the support of law enforcement and I hear most of his fellow state’s attorneys are pulling their support from Fitz as he supported Noem versus one of there own Jackley.
Fitzgerald has very little support in the race and very little to offer towards the AG office.
They have the most movement.
Movement of what?
Yes just like when you commented Noem was in last place and desparate!
Yes supporting Noem was a grievous error in the gov race. She will lose to Sutton. Oh wait she will win against Sutton a million to one odds. See you at the convention dip.
ever the gentleman this LITZ guy is…oh wait….
why call people names, geez…a dip…be civil
You know if everyone drops out eventually Fitz will be the best pick, he is only moving up by attrition….still the worst general election candidate in my opinion…..that is why Heidelberger is pumping him up…not rocket science, can’t raise money, no law enforcement support and no ideas.
Heidelberger is attacking Ravnsborg and pumping up Fitzgerald? Well that tells me all I need to know….
Fitzgerald testified FOR Russell in his ethics allegations?! Seriously
and now criticizes Russell for it?!
Seems to be a bit disingenuous to me!
@2 Cents: Additionally, Fitzgerald has been seen talking with and planning with Russell. Is this Fitzgerald & Rusell’s straggly, I mean Litz, no wait I mean …. So hard to keep up with their handles and who they are pretending to be at that the time.
Yeah—Fitz seems very opportunistic to me or desperate…attacking BOTH of them does not seem wise especially when you helped Lance with his ethics hearing…
I dont think he criticized Russell the story is misleading.
I wish partisans would focus on each candidate’s positives.
Even prominent Democrats agree Mr. Fitzgerald is an experienced prosecutor. I’m told (and I truly believe) he’s a marvelous grandfather. He deserves credit for 33 years of diligent service to South Dakota. It was my honor to meet him, to thank him, & to shake his hand in Lincoln County. I believe he’s a good man as well as a clever, skillful lawyer. I’m greatly impressed by the fierce loyalty and dedication his wife has shown him throughout this long, exhausting campaign. No man could ask a more ardent supporter!
Mr. Russell was duly elected to represent the people That’s & a rare achievement & tremendous honor, one of which Lance should be proud. Moreover, I believe he won his senatorial primary this month, no mean feat. We’ve not met, but I’m told (and I believe) he’s a capable legislator, NOT a grandstanding, egotistical buffoon. At least one state senator has endorsed him. I hear (and I believe) he’s a solid conservative and a good person. That he enjoys such ferocious support from his inner circle testifies to his likability & loyalty. I trust he’ll follow the law and limit himself to one election by Friday.
Mr. Ravnsborg is an accomplished litigator & a decorated military veteran. A patriot, he defended our freedom overseas, serving with distinction. He commands a battalion here at home; his background deserves gratitude and respect. He’s young, smart, and energetic. From our valiant SD sheriffs he’s earned official public support & endorsement — that endorsement matters. He’s less experienced, but he’s never been censured or reprimanded. Jason is an effective leader and, when we met, he convinced me of his well-reasoned, conservative principles.
All three candidates are talented, effective lawyers and good, honorable men. Each can succeed as attorney general. I look forward to speaking with these gentlemen next week. I’ll cast my vote as a delegate, and I’ll vote straight ticket Republican in November.
Classy post!
Mr. Ravnsborg failure to simply answer the question regarding his prosecution experience speaks volumes. Every attorney I have ever known, when asked, can detail their experience and why they are qualified to handle the job you are considering them for. Ravnsborg’s experience level has been in question for months and he has never directly answered the question. All his babble about what the AG position is and isn’t is just that. Is he saying if SD once again finds itself in a case before the United States Supreme Court, he will just delegate it to a subordinate, because he doesn’t have the experience? Nice guy, but he is clearly not qualified for this important position.
Dear friend of education:
Wow. I wish I knew who you were. I’d shake your hand and tell you thank you personally. John is a great husband, father and grandfather. John is a great prosecutor. He has sacrificed hours and hours of his free time to work on trials so that justice was served. When people were out golfing, or fishing, he was at our dining room table working. Seeking justice is his life. So thank you friend of education, for the kind words.
Mary
Mary,
I don’t doubt that for a second. Your family has been a TREMENDOUS asset to this state. Each person with whom I meet speaks highly of your husband and the fantastic service he’s performed. Mr. Fitzgerald has worked day and night to enforce our laws. He’s done his best to lock up dangerous criminals, and to keep them locked up. But for John’s persistent efforts, we’d have more thugs on our streets, selling drugs, “trafficking” women, driving drunk, and doing irreparable harm. I’d wager a fair number of South Dakota citizens would be injured or dead today if John Fitzgerald had spent the last three decades playing golf instead of fighting for the people. He deserves our thanks, as do you, a point on which all true Republicans should agree.
John wants to be Attorney General for the right reasons. He is the only one that truly has the qualifications to be our next AG. He walks the walk.
As was posted before—John Fitzgerald
NO EXPERIENCE WITH MANAGEMENT
NO EXPERIENCE WITH LEADERSHIP
NO EXPERIENCE WITH ANY IDEAS TO OUR CURRENT PROBLEMS
NO EXPERIENCE IN CIVIL MATTERS
NO EXPERIENCE IN FEDERAL CASES
NO EXPERIENCE WITH APPEALS
NO EXPERIENCE WITH ANY POLICY MATTERS
NO EXPERIENCE EARNING THE SUPPORT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
NO EXPERIENCE RUNNING A GOOD CAMPAIGN
NO EXPERIENCE RAISING ANY MONEY FOR THE CAMPAIGN
I’m not fond of any of these guys as candidates. All nice, yes. Russell has baggage. Fitz is not a great candidate. And Ravnsborg can’t respond to having no jury trial experience… because he doesn’t have any. This is all very troubling for our party. My beef with Ravnsborg from the beginning is that he simply wants a political job and while he has done impressive campaign leg work, he hasn’t done the real life prosecutor work over many years to earn him this position. He’s a deputy in Union county — I’ve heard appointed by his buddy. Is the county even paying him for this gig? I would have preferred that he actually been a Deputy SA, SA, Assistant AG… something that put him in the actual courtroom. But he hasn’t done it. So first he runs for US Senate, and now run for Attorney General. I’m just still scratching my head on this one. In the real world, you don’t get the top job just because you want it real bad and you have great principles. You have to get experience in the job over a number of years and a number of battles. He doesn’t have it yet. Go get some experience and come back in eight years.
So anon, you are saying that because Fitz wants the job because he feels it is his turn is the right way for someone to become the AG?
Which of the other 2 would you then pick?…do we really want to talk about their ethical scandals this fall? and yes they both have some.
You know Ravnsborg did talk about having done jury trials at Lincoln Day Dinners, I went to a couple of them and heard him from his own lips….
Keep believing the lies and you will think he is unqualified….learn the truth and open your eyes…if it was all about how many trials you did they would certify through some public records…and be done…but NO you actually have to
1) Have ideas
2) be able to raise money
3) have some experience in criminal AND civil matters
4) be able to work with legislators
5) have a personality
Ravnsborg has all of these qualities, Russell has some and Fitz has hardly any
Yes Ravnsborg made the mistake of going into private practice and making a living by working hard at everything he has done I have seen, not by being a career politician. I can see why people don’t want to get into politics…all he has talked about is helping the state and actually has ideas on how to do so as he went out and actually talked with people, novel concept!
Why are all the attacks on Ravnsborg…he is winning and Fitzgerald for all his vast EXPERIENCE has no ideas, no support with law enforcement …he doesn’t understand the job he is seeking, I think Jason explains it very well in his video.
I’m not going to vote for Mr. Seiler. If, as many expect, Jason becomes the Republican Party nominee, I’ll proudly vote for him and each Republican on the ballot. I have EVERY confidence Jason will traverse the state, visiting each city. He’ll campaign like a war fighter, fight to the finish, win election, and do a stellar job in office. We need vigorous, conservative leadership here in our state as well as in DC.
Vote Kristi Noem
Vote Dusty Johnson
Straight Ticket R.
Jason is a good person and has done a lot for our party but it’s impossible to ignore his lack of experience. If he actually wins this it will set an interesting precedent for future elections. Qualifications will no longer be needed. The Dems will light him up in the general election. He will be forced to answer the tough questions during debates with Seiler. If he can’t provide answers now, I can’t imagine what he will do in the general election.
it won’t be an issue…do you think people give a darn how many trials someone has done…eyes glaze over versus things that actually effect their lives like Ravnsborg is talking about….
you live in a different world than me. I haven’t seen Marty do any trials alone or himself during his entire tenure, but I have heard Marty talk a lot about the things Ravnsborg is talking about.
The guy (Jason) can run a Battalion and you don’t think he can run a small office of 180 people which is about 175 more people than either Russell or Fitzgerald has ever been in charge of…ridiculous! I think he is the MOST QUALIFIED
Fitz is desperate and in last place just like when Noem went negative because she was in last place. See you at the convention Hatas!
Prosecutin’ Jason
Well I saw the Fitzgerald camp go negative today….the video was not very good and it was only up like an hour, that was disappointing to me.
Keep it positive folks.
You all sit here on your high and mighty perch bickering back and forth about who is better at this and who is better at that. When it comes to the Attorney General you should want someone who knows what they are doing not someone who owes alot of people favors now that he has taken their money. When you have a candidate that is willing to put their own money in the game and not greedily ask for others that to me showes good charector. When you have someone that speaks the truth and knows the facts that tells me they are inelegant. When you have some one that has made his entire career fitting for justice in this screwed up world that tells me they are going to do the job right no matter what it takes. Russell is none of these things. He may have a degree, but does he have the integrity to be the AG. I don’t think so. When you have crooked politicians supporting you. People who make 5million dollars randomly an accountable. That showed to me he has been hacked by the wrong people. I want someone that I know is going to do the job right and in the good faith of the citizens he represents. For the last 7 years I have worked with John Fitzgerald and I will tell you this he is a man of good charector, intelligence, and integraty. This is someone I want as my Attorney General. Not someone who can be bought out by the almighty doller