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Redistricting Match-up #1: Frank Kloucek vs. Stace Nelson!

Last updated on 2013.08.31

South Dakota's legislative redistricting committee has released maps of the new district boundaries it approved on Tuesday. Check out the big map:

South Dakota legislative district map, approved by interim committee 2011.09.27

As Bob Mercer notes, the committee tweaked the original proposal to keep Rep. Frank Kloucek (D-19/Scotland) from having to drive out to Doug Wiken's house by Winner to campaign. But check out the tussle the new District 19 lines make possible: Frank Kloucek versus Stace Nelson. Über-Democrat Kloucek against rootin'-tootin' Bones-crusher don't-call-me-RINO Nelson. I'd pay money for that show!

Rep. Frank Kloucek (D-Scotland) and Rep. Stace Nelson (R-Fulton): potential 2012 rivals for South Dakota House?
Kloucek vs. Nelson: definitely no beauty contest!

The other current District 19 rep, Republican Edward Van Gerpen of Avon, goes west to District 21. Republican Senator Jim Putnam stays in 19, creating a barrier to Kloucek's jumping back to Senate. Rep. Nelson's Minnehaha Republican colleagues Rep. Jon Hansen and Senator Tim Rave both stay in District 25. With no other incumbents to wrestle for their seats, the new District 19 could end up with one of the greatest ideological dichotomies of any district in South Dakota.

I suspect Rep. Kloucek is already checking the Hanson and McCook events calendars for opportunities to bring kolaches for everyone. Rep. Nelson is likely weighing whether the call to duty warrants another term of taking lumps from Dems and mainstream Republicans alike. If these district boundaries hold, I hope they both run. The Kloucek-Nelson debates could be spectacular political theater... and voters might even learn something!

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The maps approved by the interim committee Tuesday, including the urban districts around Sioux Falls and Rapid City and a close-up of the Aberdeen dividing lines, are available on the Legislature's front webpage.

12 Comments

  1. Jim 2011.09.29

    Jeez, Cory, bringing physical attributes into a discussion certainly is not your cup of tea. According to you, they have no bearing on the discussion, or the facts. Unless that was your attempt at humor.

  2. Steve Sibson 2011.09.29

    Cory, the House allows 2 members per district. We can have both fine men.

  3. caheidelberger Post author | 2011.09.29

    Oh, Jim, always looking for the chance to snark on me instead of talking about the issue at hand. I know both Frank and Stace. I dare say they might agree with my caption and charge merrily on with a vigorous debate based quite likely on substance more than image... which is exactly why a Kloucek-Nelson tilt would be no beauty contest.

    Steve, part of me thinks having both Stace and Frank represent District 19 would be a fascinating and educational outcome.

  4. Stace Nelson 2011.09.29

    HUGE article on our host in the Mitchell Daily Republic and he doesn't even have a blog entry about it? You are slipping good Sir! :-D

    @Jim Mr. "H" just pointing out the obvious, lucky my wife doesn't follow his blog. Poor woman sees my ugly mug through the rose colored glasses of love.

  5. caheidelberger Post author | 2011.09.29

    Link, Stace, link! I just got home from parent-teacher conferences!

  6. Stace Nelson 2011.09.30

    It was on page A14 in the Ag section. I searched online last night and did not see it on their website. Some local folks talking about you on Facebook and at the game last night. They remember your article about the water board hearing. You have clearly helped educate these folks about the problems these large commericial confinement facilities bring into a community. They have over 372 people signed up to support legal action to get it stopped here in Hanson Co.

  7. Bill Fleming 2011.09.30

    Instead of an election, maybe they could have a kolache throwing contest. Hire a polka band and stuff. I'd love to see Nelson do the Chicken dance. And Klocheck could model all his cool neckties. Quintessential SD Politics.

  8. caheidelberger Post author | 2011.09.30

    Stace! Thanks! I need to get a hard copy. I'll check the library here. And thank those folks for reading! I'm glad I could help!

    I now look forward to hearing you and Frank further educating your constituents by discussing this issue on the campaign trail in 2012! (Anyone care to formally announce yet?)

  9. Stace Nelson 2011.09.30

    I am sorry, if you said something sooner I would have saved it for you. It was a little chilly around the house and it got used in the woodstove.

  10. Rep Frank Kloucek 2011.10.22

    Fellow Legislators:

    The proposal to split Bon Homme County has our residents concerned. We have resolutions of support for keeping Bon Homme County intact from the County Commissioners, Mayors and City Councils of Springfield and Avon Letters of support from Mayors of Scotland and Tabor and petitions signed by over 300 people. I ask that you support the plan to keep Bon Homme County with Hutchinson Douglas and McCook counties. Charles Mix Aurora Jerald Tripp and Gregory would form another district and Davison would be with Hansen County. There is no need to split any counties with this amendment which will be offered on the floor. Please vote for this common sense amendment to keep our rural counties intact. This past week Bon Homme County hosted Tourism director Jim Hagen. All five towns chamber of commerce's are cooperating on tourism development which is fantastic. What happens when the county is split as proposed? This is yet another reason to keep the county intact.

    There are many more reasons for keeping a county intact, Integrity of elections, confusion with ballots, confusion at the ballot box, election worker concerns, possible loss of local representation, and many more. Our Auditor and others from Bon Homme County are coming to visit with you and other legislators on Monday. Please welcome them and support their efforts in any way possible.

    Thank you in advance for your support. This proposal would be more than a fairness issue. It is the right thing to do. Thanks and again I ask for your support and vote to keep our county intact. Rep Frank Kloucek

  11. Charlie Johnson 2011.10.22

    There should be a rule making "waiver" where the 5% over or under can be waived to 10% if it will accomodate the inclusion of an entire sparsely populated county. Most county residents would rather keep their county "whole" even if they had slightly fewer or more voting residents.

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