Russell selected to replace… well, himself in District 30

Pat Powers

I’m hearing word tonight that in the District 30 State Senate election to replace Lance Russell that Lance Russell was selected to replace… well, himself in the District 30 State Senate seat that he vacated to run for Attorney General.

I’m told he won on the first ballot against Bruce Rampelberg and another candidate.

It might not be without some controversy, depending on how one interprets the law. But, that’s what keeps thing interesting!

22 thoughts on “Russell selected to replace… well, himself in District 30”

  1. Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.

    I don’t think the law allows Russell to replace himself. BUT – I also don’t think the law required him to withdraw to run for AG. So maybe two wrongs make a right…

  3. 12-6-55 says once withdrawn the candidate’s name can’t be placed on the ballot, and 12-6-56 says the replacement nominee has to be “new.”

    The Democrats would be crazy not to challenge this, but in their current disorganized state they probably won’t figure it out. Will the Secretary of State request a ruling?

  5. Gideon Oakes would make a great Senator. Lance’s treatment of John Fitzgerald and Jason Ravnsborg will work against him in the general.

  6. I agree, Gideon would make an outstanding Senator. I don’t think Russell has a chance to stay on the ballot, if challenged. If that happens, I would think most conservatives would be happy, just for the fact that Gideon is probably more conservative and more liberty minded than what Russell is.

  7. Go Gideon. Only (legal) conservative on the ballot in D30. I hope there is a wave of support behind him from the Rs. If you liked his mom and /dad/ the apple landed not far from the tree.

  8. a lance russell not concerned with being attorney general might be a new candidate, given some of his occasionally odd triangulation over this last legislative session.

  9. What would Mr. Nelson do without his little puppet master whispering in his ear to beller “point of order!”

  10. We do not want a lawyer who has been censured by the state supreme court to be in the legislature, certainly not in my district. The Democrats need to go to court and fight this. They have until Aug. 14 to keep his name off the ballot. Please.

  11. Supreme Court of South Dakota.
    IN RE: the DISCIPLINE OF Lance RUSSELL, as an Attorney at Law.

    No. 25490.
    Decided: April 20, 2011

    Read it for yourselves!

  12. I don’t think Lance ever even conceded the AG’s race or offered his support to Ravnsborg. If the shoe was on the other foot, Lance would throw a fit.

    1. True, and his good little buddy Stace is sure be a sore looser still about the AG race. I hear he is still crying over it.

    1. Gideon, run hard! You can win this. You are in the wrong party, but it’s best to pick the right guy wrong party than wrong party, right guy.

      1. I think “right guy, wrong party” and “wrong party, right guy” mean the same thing.

        1. yeah really Libertarians are for no regulations and legalizing everything like prostitution, selling pipe bombs, any and all type of drugs dude.

          1. Republicans are for unconstitutional government seizures of our internet histories, financial records, and phone conversations. Take your pick, dude.

  14. When elected, Gideon, you will be the second highest Libertarian elected official in the country. (The party has one statewide elected official with Aubrey Dunn, Land Commissioner of New Mexico, but he was elected in 2014 as a Republican and only switched to Libertarian this year.) Let’s hope that Russell has finally worn out his welcome with his antics. Good luck to you!

Comments are closed.