State Rep Jim Bolin to run for District 16 State Senate. Will there be a primary?

I had it confirmed today that as earlier noted as a possibility, current District 16 State Representative Jim Bolin is circulating petitions to run for the State Senate Seat in his district, potentially setting up a primary challenge to recently appointed State Senator Bill Shorma, who took office this past year after State Senator Dan Lederman resigned from the seat.

At the time the Governor made the appointment, outgoing Senator Lederman had recommended Bolin for the post, but he was passed over for Shorma. Bolin greeted the appointment with congratulations for Shorma, but did make a point of leaving the door open for a run:

I look forward to working with him on areas of mutual concern and interest.   In 2015, the governor very legitimately gets to decide who will be the new state senator for District # 16.   In 2016, the voters in District # 16 will very legitimately decide the same question.

Read that here.

A primary challenge would be Shorma’s first race against the campaign veteran Bolin. If you recall from back in may, I asked Shorma what he was going to do in preparation for the race:

While I do need to collect signatures, I will not be starting a campaign effort until after the 2016 legislative session. However, in preparation for my first session it is only 7 to 8 months away, I will visit with as many folks in the district as I can about their wishes, thoughts and interests. I will be reaching out to Small and Medium sized manufacturers and listen to their employee’s about their thoughts on issues that affect them and their families. I will be visiting with Agricultural producers to understand the challenges that they are facing or support that they may need.

Read that here.

With Bolin entering the contest, that may have Shorma re-calculating his strategy. Bolin, who has served in the legislature from 2009-2016, and currently serves as one of the House’s majority whips, is no slouch when it comes to the campaign trail. Bolin was first elected to the Canton city commission with almost 75 % of the vote and shortly thereafter became the mayor following a public vote to change the form of government in the city.

Following his time as mayor,  Bolin was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives. In the midst of this time, he has also worked in various volunteer grassroot campaign efforts for the GOP.

Depending on what happens, this could be one of the more hard fought primaries taking place this coming June.

Stay tuned.