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Kurt Evans Announces Switch, Now Seeks Attorney General Nomination

Last updated on 2014.07.29

Libertarian Kurt Evans confirms tonight that he has changed his mind. The Wessington Springs man is suspending his bid to become Commissioner of School and Public Lands and now seeks the South Dakota Libertarian Party's nomination for attorney general.

Evans is not an attorney. He says that there remain at least two licensed lawyers who may throw their hats into the Libertarian ring for the AG's nomination. In the event a lawyer does enter the race, Evans says it is "possible but unlikely" that he will withdraw from the race.

Evans is one of a handful of Libertarians who have publicly expressed opposition to the AG candidacy of Chad Haber, a Republican with no law degree who announced his desire for the SDLP nomination in early July.

Evans notes with some amusement that he is making history by announcing his candidacy on an opponent's blog. I have indeed stated that, if the Libertarians have no suitable alternative, I would offer my services to their party as a nominee against Haber. However, I have stated that I would happily defer to a lawyer, a Libertarian, or even "none of the above" as ably recommended by Libertarian Ken Santema. Kurt Evans is an authentic Libertarian with statewide campaign experience. Evans is thus eminently more qualified for the SDLP nomination than this liberal Democrat or that other guy, whatever he is. Evans and I may oppose each other on various issues, but to his candidacy for the Libertarian nomination for attorney general, I offer no opposition.

The South Dakota Libertarian Party holds its convention on Saturday, August 9, 10:00 a.m., at the Sioux Falls downtown library.

23 Comments

  1. Roger Cornelius 2014.07.28

    Outstanding news and best wishes Kurt.

    Cory, that was a gracious withdrawal and you honored your word. Of course Landslide Lee will say you withdrew because you feared Chad.

  2. larry kurtz 2014.07.29

    Evans: file a lawsuit against Jackley now.

  3. larry kurtz 2014.07.29

    Cory: will you be an SDLP candidate for Schools and Public Lands Commissioner?

  4. Roger Cornelius 2014.07.29

    When do think Landslide Lee will realize that Cory played like a fine tuned fiddle?

  5. Joe K 2014.07.29

    It may take Lee a little while to notice. He is busy reporting on hard hitting stories that we South Dakotans deserve. His article "Marty Jackley is following me" was absolutely riveting. I know I am now better South Dakota citizen, now that I know what our AG is doing on twitter. Thanks Lee!

  6. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.07.29

    Roger, I play no one. I just report the news and give my analysis and opinion.

    Of course, if you want to hear Annette and Chad's side of things, you'll have to go to their paid spokesman's website or Twitter account. I will not allow Annette and Chad to advertise here without paying up front.

  7. Roger Cornelius 2014.07.29

    Cory,
    I realize that you aren't playing with Landslide, but I did like the thought that you were.

  8. Deb Geelsdottir 2014.07.29

    Good luck Kurt.

  9. Kurt Evans 2014.07.30

    Roger Cornelius wrote:
    >"Outstanding news and best wishes Kurt."

    Thanks, Roger.

    Deb Geelsdottir wrote:
    >"Good luck Kurt."

    Thanks, Deb.

  10. Bob Newland 2014.07.30

    Y'all may want to take a look at some proposed platform statements that will be introduced at the convention by Ron Leeper.

  11. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.07.30

    Interesting, Bob. Is Leeper's proposal an entirely new idea? Has the SDLP passed a South Dakota platform previously? I do like his effort to focus on South Dakota issues like tribal sovereignty and the sales tax on food. Curious: does the Leeper proposal say anything that is not made readily apparent by the national platform?

  12. Roger Cornelius 2014.07.30

    Bob,

    I didn't notice a specific part of the plank dealing with Jackley and his cover up of the EB-5 scandal. Will one be added later or is that up to Kurt Evans campaign?

  13. Bob Newland 2014.07.30

    Cory, it appears to me that Leeper has cherry-picked a few planks from the national platform and shortened them to a manageable length. In the past, the SDLP has simply adopted the national platform as the state platform.

    Roger, I am only the messenger.

  14. Bob Newland 2014.07.30

    I might mention that the LP is generally a tax reduction party, not a tax reform party.

  15. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.07.30

    With that food tax repeal, I feel a little judo: still the basic tax-reduction message, but with extra appeal for us progressives.

  16. Kurt Evans 2014.08.01

    Cory Heidelberger asked:
    >>"Is Leeper's proposal an entirely new idea? Has the SDLP passed a South Dakota platform previously?"

    Bob Newland answered:
    >"In the past, the SDLP has simply adopted the national platform as the state platform."

    And prior to that, the state platform consisted of nothing more or less than the Bill of Rights: http://webarchive.loc.gov/lcwa0006/20021021073806/http://kurtevans.com/party.html

  17. Kurt Evans 2014.08.01

    Roger Cornelius wrote:
    >"I didn't notice a specific part of the plank dealing with Jackley and his cover up of the EB-5 scandal. Will one be added later or is that up to Kurt Evans campaign?"

    It seems unlikely to me that Jackley or EB-5 will be mentioned by name in the platform, Roger. I'm considering advocating for an "open government" plank at the convention, but I haven't decided for sure yet.

  18. Roger Cornelius 2014.08.01

    Kurt,
    Thanks for responding. Would it be out of order for the Libertarian Party to offer a resolution, as the Republicans did with the Obama impeachment, calling out Jackley over stonewalling GOED/EB-5 non-investigation?

  19. Kurt Evans 2014.08.01

    Roger Cornelius asks:
    >"Would it be out of order for the Libertarian Party to offer a resolution, as the Republicans did with the Obama impeachment, calling out Jackley over stonewalling GOED/EB-5 non-investigation?"

    As far as I know that wouldn't be out of order.

  20. Lynn 2014.08.01

    Kurt Good luck with the convention and the election.

  21. Kurt Evans 2014.08.04

    Lynn wrote:
    >"Kurt Good luck with the convention and the election."

    Thanks, Lynn.

Comments are closed.