Just one candidate, Republican dentist from Flandreau Leslie Heinemann, has filed petitions to run for District 8 House. Incumbent Republican Rep. Patricia Stricherz has signalled she'd like to go back to Pierre for a second term.
Now comes word that a Madison Democrat is ready to join the race. Longtime Madison High School shop teacher and sandwich guru Roy Lindsay is circulating petitions to run for District 8 House.
Lindsay will be a strong candidate in District 8. His long career as a local teacher gives him good name recognition, as well as the best authority possible to talk about the damage the Republican Party has done to our K-12 education system. With Roy in the race, either Leslie or Patricia can count on not going to Pierre next winter.
Roy needs 42 signatures to make the ballot. Folks, why not give Roy a call and help him reach that number this weekend?
No word yet on whether incumbent Democrat Rep. Mitch Fargen from Flandreau wants to take another turn at bat in Pierre. But we can certainly use a good Dem to challenge Senate Majority Leader Russell Olson for his seat. Trust me, Dems: you will enjoy being on the ballot alongside a workhorse like Roy. Go get those petitions!
Here is what the Dems need in SD: Passion!
This post is from a MN blog written by Dr. David Schulz, a prof at Hamline University in St. Paul. He is a frequent resource for the local media on political topics. He makes a good case for the importance of passion in politics. He's talking about this presidential political season, but it applies to all races and issues. It's well worth the read.
http://schultzstake.blogspot.com/2012/02/rod-stewart-is-right-politics-is-about.html#comment-form
Funny: I just had two GOP legislators comment from the podium on my "passion" at today's crackerbarrel... as if they were surprised that someone might give a darn... or as if they felt the need to deflect discussion toward style and away from substance.
Anything but substance!!!