Word is that ‘Congressional explorer’ Toby Doeden is speaking at the Brown County Republican lunch on Thursday this week. The thought that comes to my mind is “why?” Why would he want to start addressing Republicans in South Dakota? Because as far as I can tell, the word Republican has never been important to him before.
If you look at his website or the materials he’s issued to date, he claims to be ‘conservative’ constantly, trying to pretend that the term means something to him. But he’s not once indicated any interest in representing South Dakota Republicans. So why start now?
A couple of times, he’s thrown out the term RINO in reference to his opponent, trying to pretend he understands what it stands for. But.. Has he ever put his money where his mouth is, and actually supported the Republican Party?
Reviewing a number of sources, including the Federal Elections Commission, Political Money Line, and followthemoney.org, reviewing both State and Federal donations, the only donation towards Republican candidates or committees that you can find for Toby Doeden is a whopping $180 that he sent on the “Trump Save America Joint Fundraising Committee” on January 23rd of 2023. What, did Toby make a donation because he wanted a hat?
So, the answer to that question about supporting the GOP? Appears to be no.
Let’s keep going.. Because there’s other places to check regarding Toby’s participation in the political process. Not every type of support is financial. So asking the question, can we see how active in Republican politics Toby has been in the past?
Here’s where I stumbled across something particularly interesting.
According to records, I cannot find where Toby has ever voted in a Republican Primary.
He has .. well, mostly, voted in the general election. I see in his voter history that he voted in the ‘04, ‘08, ’10, ’12, ’16, ’18, ‘20 & ‘22 general elections. But nothing in a Republican primary.
If the voter history record is accurate, it appears that Toby Doeden has not voted in a Republican primary in the nearly 20 years’ time that I can find records for.
It looks like Toby doesn’t refer to himself as a Republican in his materials, hasn’t really supported the Republican Party or it’s candidates, and it doesn’t appear he votes in Republican primaries. So why is he looking for face time in front of the Brown County Republicans now?
Of course, it’s because he wants something. As opposed to running as an independent or a Democrat, He wants to use the Republican Party.
Compared to the person Toby is running against, Dusty Johnson, Dusty has probably been kicking around the SDGOP for longer than I have, and I’ve got over 35 years in. Active and identifying as a Republican since his Teenage Republican days, Dusty has been an active and visible part of the GOP ever since. Check that box off.
In terms of supporting the GOP statewide, he’s been doing that as a volunteer, staffer, serving in the Republican party, and in a hundred other roles, supporting local GOP groups and candidates in deed, helping to raise money, or just writing a check for the good of the party and/or it’s candidates.
During the last several campaigns, whether he has a race or not, Dusty has been on the ground himself, as well as insisting his volunteers support many of the legislative and local Republicans running. If he’s walking in a parade, they’re carrying other Republican signs too. Another check box.
It also goes without saying that Dusty hasn’t missed voting in a primary or general election, but you knew that. Green check here.
Referring back to Toby Doeden speaking to the Brown County Republican group, when Toby is there he’s going to be asking for a lot of names. Even moreso if and when he gets outside of Aberdeen city limits. Compared to when Dusty speaks to GOP groups across the state and knows most of the names of people in any given room.
If a candidate is going to go up and ask for support to represent the Republican party, I think it’s valid to ask whether this is going to be a one-sided relationship. Because in this potential race, it looks like one of them has walked the walk with the Republican Party for more years than many can count.
The other one? Looks to be a Republican in name only, and it’s a pretty short and one-sided relationship, at that.
Drew, Rich, Brandei, Al, and now Carl are making a mockery again for Brown County like it was when it was a Democrat hotbed. I am ashamed of all of them. Its disgusting they recruiting this low life piece of trash. He is not Aberdeen. These guys do not represent me and the majority of the good people of Brown County.
Toby has said he will do everything is his power to make sure Dusty is not our representative anymore, or be governor(a position he has not announced he wanted)… well, I will do everything in my power to show that the real life of Toby Doeden is known statewide. If I am employee of his, I am embarrassed.
Ok! Now we know why Toby Doeden is exploring. He is lost and should be going before the Brown County Libertarian Party or if there is a Constitutional Party of Brown County.
The sane members of the Brown County Republicans if there are any left should meet Toby at the door and say Thanks but No thanks! You are looking for the parties mentioned above.
If there is anything Trump has taught us it is that Toby is doing everything right! He just needs a few criminal charges and the majority of the GOP will move to full support.
We as a state need to be more careful though, this session has so much crime that they want to move to felony status to fill the new prison up. Hopefully they’ll add a loophole to make legislators exempt from this crime, because we all know if they get charged, it is just a “witch hunt”. Good luck finding a house and voting being a felon.
Toby’s most rabid politically fringe supporters are local and state Libertarians. Not long ago he posted on his FB some stupid simpleton Libertarian meme “Taxation is Theft” and then complained about paying taxes not long after he secured at least one TIF from the City of Aberdeen.
When is he done exploring? Any petitions yet or just some self promotion scheme. That FB comment section is a real S***Show!
His election denial posts are bringing the out the conspiracy nuts with one posting STOP THE CHEMTRAILS!
Ms. Taffy is a big fan of Mr. Toby, grudznick suspects.
Toby who?
The question isn’t why is he speaking to the Brown County Republicans, it’s why not?
Other counties invite all candidates to events they are having.
The Brookings County Republicans never say no to anybody. This has been, at times, hilarious, such as the time Annette Bosworth told the group about how she cancelled an appointment with the President (Obama) to take a meeting at facebook, or the Lincoln Day Dinner when Lora Hubbel got into an argument with Scott Munsterman over how much time she should be allowed to speak. I also enjoyed watching Jim Gilkerson challenge Taffy Howard as to whether her negative campaign was really necessary.
It was at the Lincoln County LDD that Stace Nelson called his fellow Senators criminals, and Mike Vehle gave an incoherent speech about a man and a really big fish.
Then there was the LDD when Terry La Fleur lost his place in his speech, had to be assisted by Matt Michaels, and, unable to pick up where he left off, started it all over again. That was when I realized he probably has an autism spectrum disorder. As for all the other aforementioned fringe candidates, I don’t know what’s wrong with them.
Suck it up, Mr Powers, Toby Doeden will be invited to speak at the Brookings County LDD whether you like it or not.
Anne, my liking it or disliking it has nothing to do with the post. As you’ve pointed out a couple of them, we’ve had a recent history of people appearing out of thin air trying to use the party when Republicans have never been important to them.
Toby Doeden appears to be another one like Annette Bosworth who pops in and says ‘GOP vote for me,’ when it was never important to them before. (Obviously, since he doesn’t vote in the Republican Primary).
The closed primary can do this though, I know a lot of people who are independents and not registered to vote in the primary.
Ann, Prior to Toby speaking hand him a shovel. Request a popcorn machine be brought in for attendees.
From the look of him, Doeden’s ego looks as inflated as his blood pressure.