What’s happening in 2018? Here’s a primer.

Pat Powers

With all the news about 2018 that’s been going on today, I thought I’d update you with a handy chart of who is looking at what, and what rumors are out there.  Don’t consider all of this as Gospel as it’s likely to get even crazier in coming months.

taleofthegoptape

69 thoughts on “What’s happening in 2018? Here’s a primer.”

  1. At least with the defeat of Amendment V we still get to have Republican primaries…

    Some on this list I don’t believe are running but that will all come out in time…way early, but let people speculate….

    1. I have been told that Tony Venhuizen (Medicaid architect) and Thune’s staff want someone who is anti trump. They are pushing Dusty pretty hard for the establishment. They don’t want Krebs or Tapio because they hold the party and its officials accountable.

    2. Barnett would be smart to run for Secretary of State. Take a different path than Larson or Sattgast.

    3. All Democrats need to register as Republicans in SD. Literally Dems have nothing to loose…. if everybody registers as a republican then can vote in every election because the state democratic party has allows open elections. If you think that the money that funded V was big, this is the next big campaign. . . Something to think about….

        1. Why does he need a clue? He is intelligent, driven, and focused. What are YOUR credentials?

          Happy Veteran’s Day, Jason and all the other vets out there!

        2. “When men are full of envy they disparage everything, whether it be good or bad.” – Tacitus

      1. I guess when you don’t have anything to say against him you make stuff up & insult him…sad all around for any candidate that happens to. jealous perhaps?

        1. Jason has done nothing as far as an attorney goes. Name one case he did in the state of SD. Just name one case.

      2. No experience…he has been an attorney for years from his resume during the last campaign and besides I think a decorated officer who has led men and women in combat can sure lead a bunch of lawyers in an office setting….plus I saw his work ethic on fighting these ballot measures….done a lot more for me in that respect that a prosecutor in one county I never go to…..oh and classy attacking a veteran on veterans day!

  3. Russel is great but he can’t win if the alternative is McGuigan. He’s would have every former AG working for him.

    Only way Russell could win is if it was against Gosch or Seward who are political animals also and not resume based.

    Fitzgerald is crazy.

    1. Why is Fitzgerald crazy?

      Isn’t he in his sixties though…why would Fitzgerald want it …that one doesn’t make sense to me, but I don’t think he is crazy.

    2. maybe on the attorney side….who wants to be US attorney now that Trump has won should also be a question…do any of these contenders want that job?

      That seems like a better fit for Fitzgerald to me.

      2. that is a great question and does trump listen to Thune who abandoned him or mike rounds who supported him. I say rounds gets to choose.

    3. The crazy comment must be by Jim Olson. He just got his a__ kicked by Fitz in Lawrence County.

      1. So Fitzgerald just wins one race and is immediately looking to another office??that seems a bit of a slap in the face to the voters.

      1. No I think they go out to the money tree each day and harvest it ….

        Clearly a lot of people need to get away from their computer and go out into the real world….took me a few minutes to see they have both are/were states attorneys or deputy states attorneys and both been attorneys for years.

        Hey why don’t we see who actually puts their hat in the ring before we attack all 4 of these guys mentioned for AG; or any other position….otherwise you are throwing darts for no reason at all good men in their own right.

    5. So you run Marty for governor and McGuigan for AG out of the same office after EB 5 and gear up…seriously??? The Democrats got the people to vote in an ethics commission already because of the perceived corruption and lack of oversight including from AG office…sounds like a recipe for a loss to me.

  5. Just curious but if experience is needed why wouldn’t Barnett’s deputy run? Obviously they have run the office very lean. I think that would be a tight race.

    We have term limits for a reason.

    1. It’s a weak office. Somebody should combine it with School and Lands and save taxpayers some money.

  6. Does anyone else feel like Marty is being played by Noem, Mickelson and Thune’s staff? I feel like someone tipped Mickelson off to get him out but they are leaving Jackley hanging out to dry.

    1. For the past decade, the Thunistas have had nothing to do since their boss never has a serious opponent, so they’ve gotten into the kingmaker (or queen) business.

      They are the establishment in South Dakota politics and are likely involved in all of these recent developments. They’ll claim neutrality but work behind the scenes for their fairhaired boy and girl.

      Ironically it’s right out of the John Podesta/Clinton playbook; and we just saw how well that works.

      Tapio is a lot like his boss and has no love for the Thunistas and particularly hates Dusty. There is a long history there and Tapio will not be afraid to go scorched earth on them. Buckle up.

      1. Haha. What? He hasn’t served Watertown for a day. Let him accomplish something. Let him serve Watertown before dragging him into another election.

        Voters don’t like being used for a stepping stone. Let him keep his head down and do his job.

      2. I don’t think Tapio is that high in the trump organization. If he serves one day in office he will have served longer than dusty.

        1. OUCH …zinger….I know a lot of people who do not like how they invested so much time, money and effort to get Dusty elected and he jumped for the next opportunity before serving at all….

          Dusty also seems more of a policy wonk kind of guy anyway.

  7. Just a warning… there is a statewide movement by the Dems to have all of their members register as Republicans to influence our elections. They literally have nothing to loose.

  8. Robert,

    I am pretty sure rank and file Dems would revolt to such a suggestion. They are DEMS for a reason.

    1. Why; people only need to connect Brendan to his dad, Timmy, and they should make the connection that we don’t want another leftwinger in power for South Dakota. Simple.

  10. This session will include many longwinded resolutions and attacks on other Republicans calling them Democrats by that fellow from Fulton.

  12. Fitzgerald for US Attorney or AG. No other candidate has the experience he has.
    No other man has his trial experience.

      1. I feel like Noem made a deal with Mickelson. Rhoden will run for congress and get trounced again as Noem’s puppet. He should just be Ag secretary for her.

      1. Most likely. It’s kind of a self aggrandizement in the article. Does Trump even know who he is? How many of us have believed in a candidate early on and then when they won felt like we were right on the money? I commend him on his work but Trump winning doesn’t really mean he’s on his kitchen cabinet. It’s kind of like that guy who believes in the Twins and when they win say I told you they would win!

  14. So after all this speculation…Noem will stay in Congress, Shantel then stays in SOS and all this hot air was just that…

    1. It might be just my dream team but Krebs would make Jackley the ultimate candidate for governor because she is tough and straight and that compliments Marty’s strengths.

  15. Jason Ravnsborg is running for AG and has been putting in work at the local level since the 2014 election. He has the support of a lot of precinct people around the State from the work he has been doing.

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