CNN correspondent Dana Bash noted how cordial—heck, downright friendly—Rick Weiland, Larry Pressler, and Gordon Howie are to each other as they compete for the U.S. Senate seat. During breaks in a KSOO radio forum last week, the candidates chatted about poetry, hunting, and the weather.
Another sign of comity in South Dakota politics is this profile of Democratic candidate for state treasurer Denny Pierson written by Libertarian blogger and opposing candidate Ken Santema.
Yes, Santema's name appears on the ballot against Pierson. Santema uses his blog to broadcast his opponent's ideas on engaging county officials in helping citizens reclaim unclaimed property, restoring the state's unclaimed property holding period from three to five years, and making more public service announcements to let people know about unclaimed property.
Santema waits for the end to editorialize:
Pierson is an interesting entry into this race. His idea of expanding the Unclaimed Property area of the State Treasurers office to County Treasurers is interesting. I haven’t looked deep enough into to see whether it is a workable idea yet, but I will admit it is something worth discussing. I think the Democrats may have chosen well when putting Pierson on the ballot for State Treasurer [Ken Santema, "Democrat State Treasurer Candidate Denny Pierson Talking about His Top Priority," SoDakLiberty, 2014.10.19].
Find me one other candidate anywhere on the South Dakota's ballot who blogs so generously, civilly, and honestly about his opponent and his opponent's platform. Ken Santema, you are a credit to blogging, to Libertarians, and to South Dakota politics.
does the treasurer's race concern EB5?
Pierson's idea to include the county treasurer clears up a question I had about being able to give back five dollars more efficiently. The problem of giving it back quicker was in being sure of proper identification of the one asking for their money back. The county treasurer would be more likely to recognize the individual.
Yes lesliengland, the treasurers office would affect EB-5. If the treasurer was of the other party, the money would not flow so secretly so easily.
Ken does a great job covering many, many political forums in the Hub City and beyond. I appreciate his "just the facts, m'am" approach. Not personal attacks, just what the candidates say and discussions about their policies. We need more Kens in the blogosphere and more importantly, in politics.
Ken is a gentleman and a scholar. We could all take a note from his kind, thoughtful, and intelligent approach to political discussions.
I have to confess though.. I do enjoy our host's penchants for snark and John Tsitrians' brutal frankness.
Thank you to all three for the light you shine on SD politics.
thoroughly agree with all of the above!!!! I bet he doesn't have a campain 'manager' trying to tell him what he has to do/say to succeed. Politics of the future, hopefully!
Kudos to Mr. Santema.
Unclaimed property ought to be a high priority for the state. The longer the time limit the better.
yeah deb, kinda like burning emails of an alleged co-conspirator w/I "30 DAYS"!!!!!!!!!
pls feel free to ignore the followingrant-effing auto-cap cory!!! it is not possible to type a lower case i. where's my secretary, where's my sandwich!!! should be "w/i
I would like to hear the Treasurer candidates elaborate on the impact they can have on scandals like EB-5 and corruption in general. The Treasurer candidate who can make EB-5 a marquee issue could draw some welcome attention to his campaign!
And thanks, Stace! John and Ken are doing a good job of restoring responsible, reasonable, interactive conservative (more conservative than I, at least!) voices to the South Dakota Blogosphere.
Thank-you Cory and commenters for the kind words. This hobby gone out of control has been a lot of fun!
Hobby out of control—that's us, Ken! Just like skateboarding: don't try jumping off, or you'll just get hurt worse! Ride it! Cowabunga!